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Health and Physical Education

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The Health and Physical Education program within the College of Arts and Sciences provides students with a diverse range of high quality instruction and opportunities within the areas of health, physical education, recreation, and the exercise sciences. A wide range of activity courses provides individuals with exposure to a variety of physical activities and opportunities to enhance their overall well being. Lecture type courses provide introductory and advanced preparation for the fields of elementary and secondary education, coaching, recreational management, and the exercise sciences.

Degree Requirements

See degree requirements for a detailed listing of the Health and Physical Education B.A. requirements.

We Will Be Changing Our Name to Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences (KES)!

The UHH program of Health and Physical Education has received the green light on the department name-change to Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences. Since we offer much more than just health and physical education, it is important that our name represents who we are. Since many of our students are receiving their educations with an emphasis on health science and research, the name change is necessary. Kinesiology (kinesis meaning meaning motion in Greek) has been a well-received caption for many college programs globally and so we are proud to don this name. Finalization of the name-change will be achieved when all the is are dotted and ts are crossed (e.g., all computer data bank edits, and university advertising of our name change presented) with confidence that all tumblers will be in place by the autumn of 2008, maybe earlier.

Why Study Health and Physical Education?

The UHH program of Health and Physical Education/Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences is an umbrella major which provides a diverse range of studies in the areas of health, physical education, exercise science, anatomy and physiology, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, and recreation management. A wide range of activity courses provides students with exposure to a variety of physical activities and opportunities to be educated to, and exposed to opportunities to enhance their overall well-being. Lecture and laboratory courses provide introductory and advanced preparation for the fields of elementary and secondary education, coaching, recreational management, strength and conditioning, exercise physiology, and the exercise sciences.

Goals for Student Learning in the Major

A student who completes the Health and Physical Education degree program will be able to:

  1. Participate in basic physical and recreational activities
  2. Develop a scope and sequence and a detailed lesson plan based upon the current Hawai‘i Content and Performance Standards (HCPS II)
  3. Apply for acceptance into the Teacher Education Program with the desire to become a Secondary Health and Physical Education teacher
  4. Apply for acceptance into Graduate School in the areas of the exercise sciences
  5. Identify and understand the various health issues within our society, especially those encountered by elementary and secondary school students
  6. Be prepared for application and acceptance into post-graduate health programs such as medical school, physical therapy programs, athletic training programs and other programs
  7. Have an understanding of the anatomical, physiological and kinesiological functions of the human body
  8. Be introduced to laboratory data collection and analysis procedures

Special Opportunities

The Health and Physical Education Department at UHH presents students with much depth and breadth in a variety of dimensions. Within the major, the Department presents a sequence and detailed lesson plan based upon the current Hawai’i Content and Performance Standards (HCPC II), presenting opportunities for acceptance into the Teacher Education Program for those with the desire to become a Secondary Health and Physical Education teacher.

The Department operates an exercise science laboratory with facilities for anthropometric measures, stress-testing, exercise physiology investigations, stress psychology investigations, strength and power and other human performance investigations. The laboratory has been noted for the study of performance, anatomy and physiology and aging. Studies of aging and muscle physiology are ongoing. Health and Physical Education students have special opportunities to contribute to the research efforts of the laboratory, much like a doctoral student would elsewhere. Trained students have actually had the opportunity to have authorship in peer-reviewed international journals in their field. While the program provides a broad approach to the discipline of Health and Physical Education, students majoring in the field are encouraged to focus their upper division work in subdisciplines. Such emphasis in exercise science and anatomy-physiology presents interested students in possible acceptance into Graduate Schools in the areas of exercise science, and medical school with many possible careers.

Faculty-Student Relationships

The faculty in Health and Physical Education at UHH are committed to undergraduate instruction. The faculty members are close to the students, and take pride in their advising of students. They pride themselves in their preparing of their students for post-graduate success.

Related Career Titles for Physical Education Majors 

Entry Level Job Titles

  • Activities Director
  • Adventurer/Risk Trainer
  • Aquatic Management
  • Athletic Coach
  • Athletic Trainer
  • Cardiac Rehabilitation
  • Cardiovascular Fitness Instructor
  • Community/Commerical Recreation
  • Corporate Fitness Instructor
  • Country Club Manager
  • Cruise Recreation Director
  • Dance Instructor/Aerobics Instructor
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Exercise Physiology Technician
  • Health/Fitness Consultant
  • SPA/Health Club Manager
  • Nutrition Specialist
  • Occupational Exercise Scientist
  • Park Manager
  • Personal Trainer
  • Prison Recreation Specialist
  • Recreation Specialist
  • Rehabilitation Specialist
  • Sporting Goods Sales
  • Social Director
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Swimming Pool Manager
  • Teacher; Physical Education

Additional Education or Experience Required

  • Camp Director
  • Dietitian
  • Chiropractor
  • Sport Agent
  • Athletic Director - College/University
  • Sports and Fitness Nutritionist
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Sports Medicine
  • Exercise Physiologist
  • Sports Physiologist
  • Sport Psychologist
  • PE/Sport/Research Instructor
  • Kinesiology/Exercise Science Professor - College/University
  • Physical Therapist
  • Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Pro Football Referee
  • Professional Sports Scout
  • Professional Sports Umpire
  • Medical Doctor

Related Major Skills for Physical Education Majors

  • Interest in Coaching
  • Motor Skills
  • Motivational Skills
  • Discussion Skills (i.e., human sexuality)
  • Oral & Visual Communication Skills
  • Demonstration Skills (physical activities)
  • Interest in Health Issues
  • Interest in Teaching
  • Knowledge of Proper Nutrition
  • Planning Skills
  • Patience
  • Athletically inclined
  • Interest in Physical Activities
  • Interest & Knowledge in the mechanics and general health of human body

Health and Physical Education Faculty and Staff

  • Barkhoff, Harald, Ph.D., University of Stuttgart, Sport psychology, Motor learning, Adapted physical education, Sports nutrition, Research Statistics, web site
  • Gotshalk, Lincoln A. “Linc”, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, Exercise physiology, Musculoskeletal anatomy, physiology and histology, Strength and conditioning, Nutrition, Endocrinology, Gerontology, web site
  • Takahashi, Robin K., Ph.D., University of Hawaii, Recreation management, Elementary and Secondary physical education, School health concerns, Coaching