Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation

Todd W. Garner, Chair

Associate Professors

Todd W. Garner
William Torrence
Garry Lewis

Assistant Professors

Felicia Taylor-Waller
Leonard Williams

Instructors

Betty Hayes-Anthony
Marikka Bender
Mark Cooper
LaTraia Jones

Administrative Specialists

Carolyn Nance, HPER Building Manager
Denika Smith

HPER Support Staff

Allen Wesley, Pool Staff
Wayne Bradley, Weigh Room and Assistant Building Manager

The mission of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation is to provide nationally accredited degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department seeks to provide competent, professional personnel at the undergraduate and graduate levels for employment as physical educators, health educators, coaches and recreation providers in public, private, volunteer, governmental agencies, and health care organizations.

Students must hold a Secondary Certification in Physical Education or hold/be eligible to hold the standard six-year certification or meer the coaching certification requirements established by the Arkansas Department of Education.

Departmental Goals

The goals of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation are:

To provide optimal educational/ learning experiences for the preparation of teachers, coaches, health educators, recreation educators and related personnel;
To prepare students for graduate studies and further training in education, recreation and related areas;
To provide programs and services which enable students to acquire the additional preparation needed for changing career and for continuous growth; and
To provide effective personnel services in advising, certification, placement, and follow-up for undergraduates, graduates, and in-service educators.

General Departmental Information

Students majoring in physical education or recreation are assigned an advisor who will monitor their progress, assist in the selection of courses, offer solutions to possible problems, and make referrals when the need arises. Students are expected to consult their advisors on a regular basis or whenever they deem it necessary.

Appropriate uniforms are required for all physical education activity courses. All HPER majors are required to wear appropriate uniforms for major courses. In some courses students are required to purchase their equipment. Students must meet all institutional and School of Education requirements as presented elsewhere in the catalog.

The Department has the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Core. The Core is composed of 37 hours that cover skills, knowledge, and understanding of the subject matter for the major.

Programs

Major

Minor

Licensure

Health and Physical Education, Coaching Endorsement (Teacher Licensure Requirement)