Department of Health and Kinesiology

Mission Statement

 

The mission of the Department of Health and Kinesiology is to contribute to the quality of life of the citizens of Texas and the nation through creation and dissemination of knowledge, training of professionals and educators, and service to the community.  Vital aspects of these efforts are to educate our students and the public in the science and benefits of health and safety, human movement, lifetime activities, and wellness.

More specifically, the department is responsible for a) preparing entry and advanced level professionals in the disciplines of health and kinesiology with specializations in teacher education, community health, exercise technology, sports management, outdoor leadership, health education, safety, allied health, education and administration, exercise physiology, motor behavior, and sport pedagogy, b) developing and disseminating applied and basic knowledge in the areas of specialization, and c) providing service activities to the public, private, and professional sectors.  The department is committed to managing its research and development, curricula, and service to demographic changes and advances in technology, theory, and practice of the disciplines.

 

Goals

In the area of research and development, this department generates basic and applied knowledge in health education, safety, exercise physiology, motor behavior, sports pedagogy, and adventure/experiential education which includes

• developing materials and equipment which advance human potential in learning, teaching, and conducting research,

• obtaining external funding for research and development activities,

• collaborating with other scholars at local, national, and international levels,

• developing and maintaining state of the art research facilities and

• developing and maintaining a scholarly environment conducive to critical thinking and scientific inquiry.

In the area of teaching and curricula matters, this department

• prepares entry level professionals for careers as health, driver/traffic safety, and physical education teachers in schools,

• prepares entry level professionals for a variety of clinical, institutional, and other educational settings who are knowledgeable and skilled in 1) delivering health information and changing health behavior, 2) evaluating exercise performance, prescribing exercise therapy, and teaching/leading exercise programs, 3) assisting with the management of sports-related enterprises, and 4) facilitating outdoor educational adventure experience and

• prepares advanced level professionals with research, teaching, and service competencies for careers in health education and promotion, allied health education and administration, safety education, exercise physiology, motor behavior, sports pedagogy, and outdoor education.

In the area of service and extension, the department

• provides university students with a quality required and elective physical activity program,

• provides the local and university communities with physical fitness assessments, fitness counseling, and adult fitness programs,

• conducts teacher in-service and continuing activities for school personnel,

• provides ongoing assessment and educational programs for the community in motor skill development of children and adolescents, health education, safety, health promotion, and health-related fitness and

• provides public, educational, and professional societies/agencies with leadership and expertise in health, safety, and kinesiology.