Student Recreation Center

About

State-of-the-art facility – The department is housed in the Student Recreation Center, a $32 million facility which includes a fitness center, swimming pool, racquetball and tennis courts, a climbing wall, and multi-purpose gymnasiums. 

Specialty Labs – Students gain hands-on experience in our Exercise Physiology Lab which features a temperature and humidity control chamber, anatomical diagrams, infrared motion capture technology and a hydrostatic weighing tank. An Athletic Training Lab is also available which features adjustable treatment tables, exercise and rehabilitation equipment.

One of a kind programs –  The department houses one of the 12 accredited graduate programs in the United States and the only program approved in Michigan that supports the special physical education approval through pursuit of a master’s degree. 

  • Mission

    It is the mission of the department to provide coursework and experiences which will allow students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes conducive to their employment as professionals within the allied fields of health, physical education or recreation. Students develop skills which allow them to analyze programmatic needs, deliver programs which meet specific needs and self-assess professional effectiveness through reflective practices. 

Experienced Faculty  Since 1994, the department faculty has authored over 200 publications and over 500 presentations have been made at international, national, regional, state and local professional conferences.

 

Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Human Performance and Health Education at Western Michigan University. Our department has a long, proud history of outstanding achievements across an array of academic fields related to human performance and health education. Our undergraduate and graduate programs feature outstanding in-class instruction and hands-on opportunities with our faculty.
 
The online programs and courses also provide flexibility for students to pursue their academic achievement. Assistantships and scholarships are frequently available to substantially defray costs, and internships are available throughout the state of Michigan and the country. International engagement is one of our focuses with international collaborations; great study abroad programs to Asia, Africa and Europe; and internships abroad. The undergraduate programs include: exercise science, physical and health education, and recreation/sport management.
 
The graduate programs include: athletic training, coaching sport performance, exercise and sports medicine, physical education, and sport management. I invite you to peruse our website and contact us with any and all questions you may have about the Department of Human Performance and Health Education. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Yuanlong Liu

Dr. Yuanlong Liu

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