Department of Health and Human Performance

Welcome to Department of Health and Human Performance

The Department of Health and Human Performance at Texas State University is a leader in preparing students for careers in adult fitness, athletic training, exercise and sports science, health and wellness promotion, physical education, and recreation administration. The department is also a national leader with a rigorous and diverse Physical Fitness and Wellness (PFW) program of activity courses for all Texas State students. Many of our majors go on to graduate or professional training (kinesiology, medicine, physical or occupational therapy). Our faculty are nationally and internationally known for their research in athletic training, biomechanics, exercise physiology, health, physical education, and recreation administration. 

Undergraduate Majors
Students prepare for these careers and advanced study in four majors. Texas teacher certification is offered in Physical Education through Exercise and Sports Science and Health Education through Health and Wellness Promotion.

• Athletic Training (AT)
• Exercise and Sports Science (ESS)
• Health and Wellness Promotion (HED)
• Recreation Administration (REC)

Graduate Programs 

• M.S. in Athletic Training
• M.Ed. in Health Education with two areas of emphasis, School Health & Community Health
• M.Ed. in Physical Education with two areas of emphasis, Exercise Sports Science & Educational Foundations
• M.S. with a major in Recreation and Leisure Services, emphasis Recreation Administration
• M.S. with a major in Recreation and Leisure Services, emphasis Therapeutic Recreation

Congratulations to Dr. Steven Furney for being named a 2012 Piper Professor! 

 http://www.txstate.edu/news/news_releases/news_archive/2012/May-2012/Piper050212.html

Congratulations to Dr. Bobby Patton for 50 years of service at Texas State

and honored with the creation of the Bobby Patton Scholarship.

Recreation Student Clubs Receive National Honor

Two student organizations in the Department of Health and Human Performance, the Association of Recreation Majors and the Adapted Sports Club of Texas State, were chosen the recipient of the National Recreation and Park Association 2011 Network Award - Outstanding Student Club. The clubs were nominated by a recreation professional for their on-going contributions to the Texas Recreation and Park Society at both the annual professional institute as well as annual regional workshops. Two students, Tori Riddles and Elizabeth Andrew, along with faculty member Dr. Jo An Zimmermann attended the “Best of the Best” National and Network Awards Reception in Atlanta, Georgia on November, 2, 2011 as part of the national congress. These two clubs have now merged into one student club known as the Association of Recreation Enthusiasts (ARE).

The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) is a national not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network for roughly 21,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources. Students majoring in Recreation Administration and Therapeutic Recreation are eligible for membership in ARE and NRPA. For more information contact the faculty advisors Dr. Zimmermann or Mrs. Allie Thomas.

Athletic Training Students Learn with Video  

“I see and I remember” is part of a popular Chinese quotation that speaks to the  power of visuals. Seeing something demonstrated may be a more effective way to learn than simply reading a text or even looking at still pictures. That may be especially important when the topic is as crucial as procedures that athletic training students must learn to use with injured athletes.

Dr. Luzita Vela in the Athletic Training Program instigated and led an effort to create a series of 25 videos that demonstrate proper technique for a variety of important procedures that students must master.

Vela and other faculty worked with the Educational Technology Center Media Production Department which is part of Instructional Technologies Support to produce the videos which are used in class and by students who can access them anytime for review.