UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE

 

Degree Programs offered: 

• BESS, major in Exercise and Sports Science with All-level Teacher Certification
• BESS, major in Exercise and Sports Science with concentration in Health and Wellness Promotion for clinical populations  
• BESS, major in Exercise and Sports Science with concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy Emphasis 
• BESS, major in Health and Fitness Management with Minor in Business Adminstration  
• BHWP, major in Health and Wellness Promotion  with All Level Teacher Certification
• BHWP, major in Health and Wellness Promotion  with Non Teacher Certification
• BS, major in Athletic Training
• BSRA, major in Recreational Administration
• BSRA, major in Recreational Administration (with Therapeutic Recreation Emphasis)

Athletic Training

The 2011-12 academic year marks the 40^th consecutive year that Texas State University has sponsored a nationally-accredited education program in athletic training.  Athletic trainers work to prevent, as well as diagnose, treat and rehabilitate injuries and illnesses, under the direction of a physician. The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Athletic Training prepares students for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification examination and the State of Texas athletic training licensure exam. Texas State’s entry-level program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education through the 2019-2020 academic year. Many of our graduates work in secondary schools and sports medicine clinics in Texas; those who go on to graduate school have found employment with colleges, universities, and professional sport teams.

Exercise and Sports Science

Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (BESS) degree program has four specializations that prepare students for a variety of careers.

• BESS with all-level physical education teacher certification prepares graduates for careers in teaching physical education in elementary and secondary schools, as well as coaching interscholastic sports.
• BESS with a concentration in pre-physical therapy is a cooperative program of several academic units preparing graduates for competitive admission to graduate/professional programs in allied health careers (medicine, physical/occupational therapy, physicians assistant).
• BESS with a concentration in health and wellness promotion for clinical populations prepares graduates for careers in medically-managed health and fitness programs.  This specialization provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform cardiopulmonary, clinical exercise, and diagnostic testing and programming for cardiac rehabilitation and other special populations.
• BESS with a major in health and fitness management and a minor in business administration prepares students to direct fitness enterprises and wellness or health awareness programs in commercial, corporate, and institutional settings.  Areas of study include fitness programming, stress management, smoking cessation, diet/nutrition, health-risk appraisal, and employee assistance.  The curriculum also allows students to acquire the academic and clinical prerequisites needed to earn professional certification.  Graduates work as fitness leaders, exercise testing technicians, cardiac rehabilitation specialists, or corrective therapists.  Others are employed as salespersons, administrators, and managers of sports or fitness facilities. All these BESS specializations allow graduates to sit for national certification exams or pursue graduate study in exercise science/kinesiology.

Health Promotion

Health promotion is the process of improving people’s understanding, attitudes, and conduct regarding individual and community health.  Professionals in health promotion teach elementary or secondary school, or they work in community health agencies.  Texas State health promotion graduates work in education, emergency medical services, senior citizens programming, worksite wellness programs, Public Health Departments, Volunteer Health Organizations, and various other fields. The Bachelor of Health and Wellness Promotion provides a major in health and wellness promotion with all-level teacher certification or a non-teaching major in health and wellness promotion with all-level teacher certification or a non-teaching major with a specialization in community health promotion.

Recreational Administration

The Bachelor of Science in Recreational Administration combines classroom learning and on-the-job training.  Students study such areas as recreation programming, leadership, marketing, evaluation, administration, and therapeutic recreation.  Recreational administration graduates, including those with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation, work in camps, nursing homes, community recreation centers, resorts, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, fitness centers, and state and national parks.  The program is nationally accredited.  Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (CTRS) and/or the National Recreation and Park Association’s National Certification Board (CPRP) examinations.