Human Performance and Health Education

Yuanlong Liu, Chair
Main Office: 4024 Student Recreation Center
Telephone: (269) 387-2710
Fax: (269) 387-2704

Mauro Henrique Andre
Benjamin Cork
Nicholas Hanson
Geumchan Hwang
Sangwoo Lee
James Lewis
Ming Li
Timothy Michael
Michael Miller
Jongho Moon
Lori Reichel
Suzan Smith-Ayers
Zeljka Vidic
Jiabei Zhang

The graduate studies in the Human Performance and Health Education Department offers five academic programs intended to develop highly trained professionals in a variety of fields.

The Master of Arts in Coaching Sports Performance prepares students for successful careers in a coaching profession. The program’s engaging curriculum enables students to acquire a well-rounded knowledge base and relevant practical experiences necessary to become successful coaches at all levels of sporting competition.

The Master of Science in Exercise Science is designed to provide the student with an advanced understanding of the physical and functional adaptations to movement. The program integrates traditional lecture-based courses with hands-on laboratory experiences.

The Master of Science in Athletic Training is an CAATE accredited post-professional athletic training education program designed to provide the student with advanced athletic training didactic and laboratory experiences, clinical internship opportunities and research experiences to become better clinicians and educators.

The Master of Arts in Physical Education allows students to matriculate online while permitting students to obtain practical experience close to home. Students can select a concentration in Pedagogy or Special Physical Education.

- The Pedagogy concentration is designed to provide teachers with the knowledge, skills and experience that will facilitate effective instruction in private and public schools.

- The Special Physical Education concentration prepares teachers to provide quality special (adapted) physical education for K-12 children with disabilities in the least restrictive, most appropriate and inclusive environments.

The Master of Arts in Sport Management is designed to prepare students to blend general management skills with the specific demands of managing sports organizations.

Admission Requirements
Students must meet Graduate College admission standards, successful completion of an undergraduate major or minor or equivalent appropriate for intended emphasis area, submission of GRE scores, submission of a letter of intent to include education, career and/or research goals and philosophy. In some programs, admissions requirements may vary slightly. Please contact the program advisor for details.

Program Requirements
Each graduate student is expected to show competence in four professional areas: research, socio-cultural issues, curriculum or psychological foundations, and a professional area of emphasis. HPHE 6900 and HPHE 6920 are required in all programs. Graduate degree programs also require the successful completion of a minimum of thirty-six graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree in one of the following: Athletic Training, Special Physical Education, Coaching Sports Performance, Exercise Physiology, Physical Education Pedagogy or Sport Management. For information about additional specific course requirements for each degree or concentration, contact the graduate advisor.

Master’s degree candidates are required to complete a comprehensive, integrated capstone experience which can be met through the following:

HPHE 7000 - Master’s Thesis   Credits: 6 hours
HPHE 7100 - Independent Research   Credits: 2 to 6 hours and/or
HPHE 7120 - Professional Field Experience   Credits: 2 to 12 hours