North Carolina A&T School of Education




Dr. Daniel Webb, Interim Chair 218 Corbett Center 336 334-7712
The Department of Human Performance and Leisure Studies (HPLS) is committed to assisting our students reach their full potential as future leaders in the sports sciences, fitness and recreation fields. In addition to our young and energetic faculty, our department offers a new Human Performance Research Laboratory, which provides students with state-of-the-art equipment for health and fitness assessment, including RT3 tri-axial accelerometers, a Polar Tri-Fit Health Assessment System, a ParvoMedics 2400 metabolic cart, and a BOD POD for body composition analysis. Given the well-documented support of research literature regarding the health benefits of increased physical activity, the demand for quality fitness leaders and directors has grown considerably. By choosing a career in this exciting field, you will be joining an elite group of individuals seeking to make a positive difference in families and communities. MISSION The mission of the Department of Human Performance & Leisure Studies is to prepare recreation administrators and sport science professionals who serve as: (1) catalysts for learning, with a comprehensive knowledge base; (2) Decision-makers who are able to choose and use the most effective strategies to meet candidates’ or clients’; needs; (3) Practitioners able to apply their theoretical knowledge in a variety of practical settings. In addition, the Department of HPLS provides a variety of lifetime activities for the general education program. VISION The vision of the Department of Human Performance and Leisure Studies (HPLS) is to continue to evolve as a leader in developing professionals who are well-prepared and are sensitive to changes in technology, are receptive to diversity, and are able to meet health and fitness needs of a changing population at the local, state, national, and international levels. More specifically, the vision of the Department of HPLS can be captured in the theme, “The Professional Educator: A Catalyst for Learning.” The aforementioned theme evolved through the unit’s standards which are Diversity, Assessment, Reflection and Technology (DART). OBJECTIVES The Department of Human Performance and Leisure Studies will provide the following: 1. Preparation for students planning careers as managers in the sport, fitness and recreation industry. 2. Specialization in teacher education/administration, adapted physical education and sport psychology at the graduate level. 3. Instruction in a wide variety of service courses to meet the needs and interests of all students. 4. Student experiences which will enhance a strong self-concept, emotional stability and social skills for positive human relationships. 5. Learning experiences that utilize instructional technology. 6. Encouragement of students’ active involvement and participation in professional activities both at the state and national levels.
PROGRAMS The Department of Human Performance and Leisure Studies features both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The undergraduate program in Sports Science has three options (Business Administration, Leisure Studies and Pre-Physical Therapy). In addition, the graduate program offers both Master of Science in Physical Education (M.S.) and Master of Arts in Teaching Physical Education (M.A.T.). These programs are designed to prepare candidates for careers in clinical, corporate, commercial and/or community physical fitness, leisure/recreation and education settings. North Carolina A&T State University SPORT SCIENCE AND FITNESS MANAGEMENT (SSFM) *CURRICULUM OPTIONS* *Undergraduate Focus* SSFM - Business Administration Option The Business Administration option focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary for managerial duties in commercial and corporate areas, as well as independent contracting. Students in this option are required to take 15 hours of courses in Business Administration as part of the 128 credit hours required for graduation. BUAD 220 Business Environment BUAD 425 Entrepreneurship BUAD 341 Intro to Management Systems (MIS) BUAD 430 Marketing Concepts BUAD 422 Management Concepts Career Opportunities in the SSFM Business Administration option include:- exercise program director - strength and conditioning coach- sports team manager - personal trainer- health and fitness club manager - fitness leader Students may perform internships in hospitals or orthopedic centers, rehabilitation or wellness facilities, and corporate or commercial fitness facilities *Students must acquire a minimum grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale by the end of the freshman year in order to continue in the Business Administration option. Students who wish to transfer* into this option must have a 2.3 GPA in order to be admitted. SSFM - Leisure Studies Option The Leisure Studies option focuses on the operation and maintenance of public parks and recreation agencies and the provision of programs at the private, voluntary, and commercial levels. Students in this option are required to take 18 credit hours of courses in Leisure Studies as part of the 128 credit hours required for graduation. LSS 160 Intro to Recreation LSS 464 Group Leadership LSS 260 Community Recreation LSS 465 Program Planning LSS 463 Outdoor Recreation SS 446 Camp Administration Career Opportunities in the SSFM Leisure Studies option include:- Public agencies (Local, state, and federal parks and recreation)- Commercial Recreation Enterprises (professional sports, resorts, amusement parks)- Private/Voluntary Agencies (Boys & Girls clubs, Boy Scouts of America)- Sports and Country Clubs- Convention and Visitor Bureaus-YMCA/YWCA *Students must acquire a minimum grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale by the end of the freshman year in order to continue in the Leisure Studies option. Students who wish to transfer* into this option must have a 2.3 GPA in order to be admitted. SSFM - Pre-Physical Therapy Option The Pre-PT option will prepare students to enter a post baccalaureate masters or doctoral degree program in exercise science-related fields such as: physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, athletic training, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and sports medicine. Students in this option are required to take 28 credit hours of courses in Pre-PT as part of the 128 credit hours required for graduation. MATH 131 Calculus PHYS 225 Physics CHEM 106-116 General Chemistry w/ lab ECON 305 Elementary Statistics CHEM 107-117 General Chemistry w/ lab Elective BIOL 369 Human Anatomy BIOL 370 Human Physiology *Students must acquire a minimum grade point average of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale by the end of the freshman year in order to continue in the Pre-PT option. Students who wish to transfer* into this option must have a 2.8 GPA in order to be admitted. Additionally, students must acquire a C or better in all option courses. The Pre-PT option does NOT guarantee admittance into graduate school. The entrance requirements at different professional schools are quite varied, but typically include those courses required in our Pre-PT option. It is strongly suggested that students research the pre-requisite courses needed to apply to specific graduate schools. The graduate program is designed to develop competent professionals in the field of Adapted Physical Education, Sports & Exercise Psychology, and Sport Pedagogy through scholarship, advanced training and specialization. The program offers a Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Physical Education and a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Physical Education. Master of Science (M.S.) Program Graduate Focus The M.S. Program has two options: < > 1. Teacher Education Option: Open to applicants who hold a “Class A” teaching certificate in physical education 2. Non-Teacher Education Option: Open to applicants without a “Class A” teaching certificate in physical education. Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T) Program Graduate Focus The M.A.T. program is designed for college graduates who desire to obtain a “Class A” initial teaching certificate in physical education. The program has two phases: < > Phase I is for teaching certification only (27 credit hrs.) Phase II is the M.A.T. (12 hrs.) Program of Study < > M.S. in Physical Education Program (39 credit hours) Professional Education (15 credit hours) Physical Education (24 credit hours) M.A.T. Program (39 credit hours) Phase I: Certification Only (27 credit hours) Phase II: M.A.T. (12 credit hours) Admission Requirements M.S. in Physical Education Program < > 1. Acceptable GRE or MAT scores 2. A 2.8 overall GPA for teacher education applicants from a four year accredited institution of higher education 3. A 2.6 overall undergraduate GPA for non-teacher education applicants from a four year accredited institution of higher education 4. A writing sample 5. Three letters of reference 6. A goal statement M.A.T. Program < > Phase I: An undergraduate degree from an accredited four year institution of higher education, an overall cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or pass Praxis I. Phase II: An overall GPA of 3.0 in Phase I, “Class A” initial teaching certificate, GRE or MAT scores, and approval to advance further in the M.A.T. phase.