Leading toward a healthier tomorrow by cultivating confident and competent health,
fitness, and recreation professionals who enhance the health and well-being of people
and communities.
health, physical education, and recreation
Welcome to the Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation (HPER), the most
active department on UAA鈥檚 campus. HPER is committed to excellence in offering courses
related to physiology, biomechanics, and motor control/development. Our professional
programs prepare students for leadership roles in health and fitness, physical education,
kinesiology, and recreation fields. Our recreational courses offer the opportunity to
learn new skills, reduce stress, meet people, and stay active.
Taking courses toward the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, students will explore principles of physical activity, exercise science, recreation
and wellness. Courses focus on leadership development, research-based practices, and
experiential learning through community engagement. The program is recognized as a gold-level campus for Exercise is Medicine by the American College of Sports Medicine, and the practicum and internship experiences increase the ability to compete for jobs in growing
fields such as therapeutic recreation, exercise science, and wellness.
Two minors are available to help you personalize your education based on your interests
and career goals: Minor in Athletic Training and Minor in Outdoor Leadership.
In addition to offering two minors, the Department of HPER also offers a concentration
in therapeutic recreation for students who wish to pursue a career as a recreational
therapist with the necessary courses and experiences. At its core, therapeutic recreation
is a healthcare field focused on improving the quality of life for people who may
have experienced a significant or life-changing injury, or who may be living with
a disability that changes the way they are able to participate in leisure and recreation.
The concentration in therapeutic recreation includes specific psychology courses,
anatomy and physiology, and six courses specific to therapeutic recreation; all of
which fit within the BS in Kinesiology degree requirements.
You will find that the Department of HPER is a very exciting department offering a
wealth of challenging and exciting learning experiences both inside and outside the
classroom.
DEGREES OFFERED
WHY CHOOSE health, physical education, and recreation AT UAA?
Designated 鈥渃ommunity-engaged鈥 learning courses provide unique opportunities to get
involved in the community and industry.
Conduct exercise tests for students, teams, employees, and the community in the Human Performance Lab.
Faculty advisors are available to help you stay on track to earn your degree and achieve
your career goals.
The BS in Kinesiology is recognized as a National Strength and Conditioning Association
education program.
Elaina Mack, a student in the School of Preventive and Therapeutic Sciences, is a dedicated UAA women's basketball player, balancing academics and athletics as she pursues her goal of becoming an athletic trainer.
Recent graduate of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Hannah Bogden, reflects passionately on her two-week kayak expedition from Whittier to Valdez. She was joined by other students and two instructors, with the trip being part of a capstone course for the college鈥檚 outdoor leadership program.
Six students in the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER)鈥檚 outdoor leadership program, and two instructors, completed a 14-day kayak capstone expedition.
For Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation outdoor leadership graduate Frank Schweers, a passion for exploring the outdoors led to new opportunities to help others visualize the outdoors using geographic information system (GIS) technology. Read more.
The Human Performance Lab has a new location with updated equipment. Witness demonstrations of the equipment and testing procedures at an upcoming open house event.
Message from the Director
Welcome to the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation department at the UAA School
of Allied Health! I am excited to welcome you to our program, which offers a Bachelor
of Science in Kinesiology, a minor in outdoor leadership, a minor in athletic training,
and a concentration in therapeutic recreation. Our program is designed to prepare
you for a variety of careers in the health, fitness, and recreation industries. We
believe that physical activity is essential for a healthy and fulfilling life. Our
program will teach you the scientific principles of physical activity, as well as
the skills and knowledge you need to design and deliver effective exercise programs.
We boast a state-of-the-art Human Performance Lab (HPL) that conducts exercise tests
and assessments, and is designed to exceed the needs of students as they learn hands-on
technical skills. We are confident that our program will provide you with the skills and
knowledge you need to succeed in a career in the health, fitness, or recreation industries.
We are also confident that you will find our community-focused approach to education
to be both rewarding and stimulating.