Department of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Richard A. West, Chair
3006 Kathleen and Tom Elam Center
731-881-7310
fax 731-881-7319

Faculty

Laura L. Brown, Matthew P. Cupples, Stuart M. Currie, Alison Ellis, Todd E. Sherman, Tara Tansil-Gentry, Claret Onukogu, Cody Sivley, Shelley L. Stout, Richard A. West, Janet M. Wilbert

Mission

The department prepares career ready students for employment or graduate study in Health and Human Performance. Faculty and students engage in public service and scholarship related to the needs of a diverse and dynamic society through a commitment to the development and maintenance of lifetime behaviors that promote health, fitness, sport, and leisure activities.

HHP Expected Outcomes

The faculty expect each student who graduates with a major in Health and Human Performance to demonstrate appropriate mastery of the following:

Exercise Science and Wellness Concentration

Students will be able to:

Identify and explain the principles and theories within the domains of exercise science and wellness.
Apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities within the domains of exercise science and wellness.
Demonstrate decision-making influenced by evidence-based practices within the domains of the exercise science and wellness.
Demonstrate proficiency in technology within the exercise science and wellness domains.
Assess, plan, and implement physical activity and/or exercise interventions in clinical, health-related, and training environments.
Demonstrate awareness of professional development.

K-12 Licensure Physical Education and Health

Students will be able to:

Demonstrate competency in health and physical education content and disciplinary concepts.
Understand how individuals learn and develop and can provide developmentally appropriate opportunities in health and physical education.
Understand individual and group motivation and behavior to create a positive learning environment.
Plan and implement a variety of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies.
Understand and use assessment and technology to foster student physical activity development.
Pursue lifelong learning through professional development and physical activity.

Public Health

Students will be able to:

Discuss essential services that public health programs provide to protect and improve the health of populations.
Use research tools and analytical methods to critically analyze, monitor and assess the health status of populations.
Understand the impact of policies and legislation on individual and population health.
Apply evidence-based principles to the process planning, development, budgeting, management, and evaluation of public health organizations and initiatives.
Effectively communicate public health messages to a variety of audiences from professionals to the general public..

Dual Concentrations

Students wishing to pursue dual concentrations within the Department of Health and Human Performance must complete requirements for both academic programs. Dual concentrations must utilize the same catalog year and be completed concurrently prior to graduation. At least 21 hours must be unique to each concentration.

Departmental Scholarships

Four $1,000 scholarships for first-time freshmen and four $1,000 upperclassman scholarships for Health and Human Performance majors are awarded each year by the Health and Human Performance faculty to students demonstrating an outstanding academic record and professional potential. Applications are available at http://www.utm.edu/departments/hhp/Scholarships.php and should be filed no later than February 15 each year.

Student Organizations

The HAHS Club (Health and Allied Health Students) is a student organization that focuses on the importance of professional development through seminars, workshops, conferences, webinars and networking. The club organizes a professional development conference that is available to both high school and college students in addition to sponsoring seminars on topics that are open to the campus and community.

The SHAPE Club (Sports, Health, Athletics, Physical Education) is the student professional organization which offers the Health and Human Performance major an opportunity for personal and professional growth through involvement in departmental activities and campus events. Members are frequently selected for leadership positions in the Tennessee Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and are eligible to receive this organization’s Outstanding Student Award. This recognition qualifies them for the regional and National SHAPE America Outstanding Student Awards. Since 1987, twelve UT Martin students have received these distinguished recognitions.

Liability Insurance Coverage

The student must provide proof of liability insurance coverage to the Department of Health and Human Performance prior to receiving permission to enroll in courses which will necessitate interaction between the undergraduate student and children in K-12 schools, athletes or patients/clients in other assigned settings. Liability insurance can be purchased through the Department of Health and Human Performance, or the Student Tennessee Education Association.

Non-Licensure Practicum/Internship

Internship

Students in Exercise Science and Wellness participate in a 10-week internship, which may be in the areas such as occupation therapy, physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, kinesiology, corporate fitness or hospital wellness. Application must be made one semester in advance of the internship placement. All non-licensure internships require approximately 40 hours per week. All coursework must be completed prior to enrolling in the internship and no other course work may be taken during the internship without departmental approval, and if so, should not exceed one course or maximum of four hours. Students may or may not receive compensation as a result of this experience.

Additional Costs

It is the responsibility of the student to provide for and/or make arrangements for transportation to and from his or her practicum and internship assignments. Students must also be appropriately dressed as defined by their supervisor.

Student Teaching

Students selecting the K-12 Licensure option serve separate seven-and-one-half week student teaching experiences in an elementary school and a middle or high school setting. Information regarding application to student teaching and other requirements are addressed in the College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Science section of the catalog.