| WELCOME
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.
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