Sarah Mitchell, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Graduate programs offered in the Department of Health and Human Performance are designed to provide students with specialized training to enhance current job opportunities as well as prepare students for positions with public and private agencies in the areas of health and human performance. These graduate degree programs are designed to provide graduate students with:
- Knowledge and skills necessary to organize and administer programs of health and human performance;
- The ability to interpret, analyze, critique, and produce research within health and human performance that is current and relevant to communities of learners in our academic, professional, and global environments;
- Knowledge related to the current challenges and trends underlying programs of health and human performance;
- Tools to excel as a leader in the fields of health, kinesiology, and sport in a dynamic and digital society; and
- Applied knowledge and real world experience in diverse community and global settings.
Programs of Graduate Work
Master of Science in Health, Kinesiology, and Sports Studies
The Department of Health and Human Performance offers the following graduate degree: Master of Science (M.S.) in Health, Kinesiology, and Sports Studies with five different concentrations: Exercise Science, Athletic Administration, International Sport Management, Sports Coaching and Human Performance (Accelerated BS-MS). For each of these concentrations, a minimum of 18 to 24 hours must be completed in the major field.
Master of Public Health in Public Health
The Master of Public Health program will prepare students with the skill-set needed to become leading public health professionals capable of addressing current and future health problems using multidisciplinary and evidence-based approaches. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skillset to work with diverse organizations focused on improving population health. These include but are not limited to: Corporate, Commercial, Community-Based Health Agencies, Local to National agencies and more.
The degree is offered full online to be more accessible to the working professional. The MPH degree requires successful completion of a minimum of 42 semester credit hours. Most full-time students can expect to take approximately 18-24 months to complete the degree program.
Admission
Admission to a graduate program is granted by the Dean of the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the department. Applicants must meet the following requirements for admission in addition to meeting the general university requirements in health, kinesiology, and sports studies.
Each applicant will be evaluated on his/her successful completion of an undergraduate degree in health, kinesiology, human performance or a closely related field. The applicant will also be evaluated on undergraduate or graduate GPA, two recommendation forms or letters of reference from sources acquainted with the applicants academic capabilities (one preferably from a former professor), personal statement of goals and background, and resume/vita. With the consensus of departmental graduate faculty, deficient students may be granted conditional status. Deficiencies must be removed by the completion of foundation courses specific to the selected graduate program by the end of the second semester of enrollment.
Admission
Admission to a graduate program is granted by the Dean of the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the department. Applicants must meet the following requirements for admission in addition to meeting the general university requirements in Public Health.
Degree Requirements
All students must complete a departmental advisement guide before attaining 12 semester hours of graduate credit. To complete the advisement guide, the student must consult with the department's Coordinator of Graduate Studies. Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.00 on all graduate courses taken in the Department of Health and Human Performance. In addition, all students must have a passing score on the departmental comprehensive exams. In order to take the comprehensive exam, a departmental advisement guide must be on file; and all courses must be completed, or the student must be enrolled in final semester of courses.
Successful completion of the Comprehensive Exam is required of all students.
Note: Individual departments may reserve the right to dismiss from their programs students who, in their judgment, would not meet the professional expectations of the field for which they are training.
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Health and Human Performance
Vipa Bernhardt
Associate Professor
B.A., B.S., Ph.D., University of Florida
Dean Culpepper
Associate Professor and Department Head
B.S., Berry College; M.S., Ph.D., University of Houston
Sandy Kimbrough
Professor
B.S., M.S., Ph.D., Texas A&M University
Sarah Mitchell
Assistant Professor
B.S., Angelo State University; M.S., University of Texas at Arlington; Ph.D. Texas Woman's University
Michael Oldham
Assistant Professor
Ph.D. Texas Woman’s University
Steven Prewitt
Associate Professor
B.S., George Fox University; M.S., University of Oregon; Ph.D., University of Utah
Elizabeth Wachira
Associate Professor
B.S.N., University of Mary Hardin-Baylor; M.P.H., University of North Texas-Health Science Center; Ph.D. Texas Woman's University