Health, Physical Education, & Recreation (HPER)

HPER Home

Student on bike

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at the University of North Alabama is to enhance the quality of life for the general citizenry through the promotion of active and healthy lifestyles and to facilitate mastery of knowledge and development of attitudes, behaviors, and skills reflecting expertise in the field. With this preparation, graduates will be prepared to assume leadership roles associated with development, implementation, and administration of programs in physical education, exercise science, fitness, health, recreation, and sport management. In addition, graduates will have the foundation necessary to successfully pursue advanced training, certifications, and academic degrees.

Students WORKING

Academic Programs

The Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation offers two bachelor degrees:  the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd) and the Bachelor of Science (BS).  The Bachelor of Science in Education is designed for students interested in becoming a physical education teacher and leads to qualification for recommendation for the Alabama Class B Professional Certificate at the P-12 level in Physical Education.  The Bachelor of Science is a non-teaching degree with five concentrations from which the student may choose:  Exercise Science, Fitness Management, Health Promotion, Recreation, and Sport Management.  The department also offers minors in Exercise Science, Fitness Management, Health, Health Promotion, Outdoor Education, Community Recreation, Coaching and Officiating, and Sport Management, which may be applicable to other majors requiring a supportive minor.  In addition, the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation offers physical education/recreation activity courses which are available as elective credit to all students who wish to develop skills for personal pleasure or lifelong physical activity.  All students majoring in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in both the BSEd and BS degree programs are required to successfully complete a senior portfolio and an internship prior to graduation.  Students must apply for the internship one semester prior to registering for the internship experience.  The senior portfolio must be completed during the student's final semester of undergraduate studies.  

Basketball Court

Facilities

The Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation is located in Flowers Hall, a $2.5 million health and physical education facility. In addition to the physical education activity areas, the facilities include a Human Performance Laboratory, Wellness Center, and swimming pool. The HPER Department has also been designated as the UNA Wellness Research and Service Center.

Swimming Pool
Faculty
Faculty in the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation possess knowledge and experiences in a wide variety of areas.  Several members of the departmental faculty are active in research, in conjunction with the Human Performance Laboratory.  Many have professional publications and have presented at state, district, or national conferences.  Many also serve as consultants to various school systems, recreational agencies, mental health associations, sports medicine clinics, health and
fitness centers, hospitals and corporate wellness centers.
Wellness CenterThe departmental faculty are not only dedicated in helping students
with their programs of study in HPER, but also in assisting them in either continuing their education at the graduate level or in securing employment related to their program
of study.  Students are strongly encouraged to Drop by faculty offices and visit with their advisors as well as other faculty members to discuss academic, career, or other concerns that they may have.
  
 

Undergraduate Majors

Physical Education P-12 (Teacher Certification)

Physical Education (Non-Teaching)
*Exercise Science
*Fitness Management
*Health Promotion
*Recreation
*Sport Management

Graduate Majors

M.A. degree P-12 Physical Education (Class A Certification)

M.S. degree Health and Human Performance
*Exercise Science
*Kinesiology
*Wellness and Health Promotion
*Integrative Health
*Sport Management