Major Program
    The mission of the graduate program in the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation is to provide students with a broad base of knowledge and high level competencies in their selected areas of interest.  The department offers graduate study culminating in these degree options: Master of Education, Master of Science, or Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Services.
    Athletic Training.  The Master of Science with a major in Athletic Training is designed as an advanced post-professional Athletic Training curriculum for the board certified athletic trainer.  The graduate student in Athletic Training may choose from either the thesis option program (31 hours) or the non-thesis option program (37 hours).  It is the department’s intent in the next two years to seek accreditation from the NATA Post-Professional Education Review Committee for the program.  Accreditation is a quality initiative and will provide a substantive basis for the development and growth of the proposed program. 
    Physical Education.  The Master of Education with a major in Physical Education has several specializations.  The graduate student in Physical Education may choose to focus in one of three areas: Exercise Science, Sport Management, or Educational Foundations.  Within these programs are options of having a thesis (30 hours) program or a non-thesis (36 hours) program both of which do not have a minor but required support courses.  Traditional programs, thesis (30 hours) or non-thesis (36 hours), with minors or split minors are also available.
    The Exercise Science Specialization is designed for the physical education professional (teacher/coach), personal trainer, rehabilitation specialist, and physical therapist who want to focus on topics of study such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning, research applications to sport and human performance, etc.
    The Sport Management Specialization is designed for those individuals who desire more training in the area of sport management (e.g., athletic administration, sport facility management, or health and wellness center management).
    The Educational Foundations Specialization (Master’s only or Master’s and Certification, MAC Program) emphasis gives public school and collegiate physical education teachers a broader understanding of teaching skills, which foster the possibility of obtaining education administrative certification.  The MAC program leads to state certification in all level physical education.
    Health Education.  The Master of Education with a major in Health Education consists of 36 semester hours, including a major of 21 hours and a 15 hour minor, or split minor of nine and six hours.  The graduate student in Health Education may select a thesis or non-thesis option.  The thesis option is a thirty-six hour program with twenty-one hours of course work plus six hours of thesis in Health Education and nine hours in the minor.
    Recreation and Leisure Services.  The Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Services (M.S.R.L.S.) program is designed to prepare administrators, supervisors, educators, consultants, and researchers to assist people toward richer lives through leisure experiences.  M.S.R.L.S. students may pursue a thesis (30 hours) or non-thesis (36 hours) option.  The program will offer professional preparation in two distinct specialization areas: recreation management and therapeutic recreation.  Recreation management encompasses the administration and supervision of recreation and leisure services.  Recreational professional seeking coursework for certification as Certified Park & Recreation Professional (CPRP) would enroll in this option.  Therapeutic recreation focuses on enabling individuals with special needs to experience the same leisure options as able-bodied individuals through the use of recreation as a treatment and education modality.  Individuals seeking to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) would enroll in this option.

Background
    Athletic Training.  As background prerequisites, an athletic training major is expected to have graduated from an academic institution that is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) or presently be board certified through the Board of Certification, Inc.
    Physical Education.  A physical education major is expected to have a minimum of 18 semester hours of physical education coursework, exclusive of physical education activity courses.  Prospective graduate students interested in pursuing careers in certain areas (e.g., exercise science) are evaluated on an individual basis.  Students may be required to complete graduate leveling courses.
    Health Education.  As background prerequisites, a health education major is expected to have a minimum of 18 semester hours of health education course work on the bachelor’s degree or complete graduate leveling courses.                                                                                                                                                           Recreation and Leisure Services.  A recreation and leisure services major is expected to have a minimum of 18 semester hours of recreation coursework on the bachelor’s degree.  Students in the recreation management emphasis must have undergraduate hours in marketing and management, and demonstrate competency in those areas.

Admission Policy
    The GRE is no longer required for regular admission to the HPER programs.  The following are the minimum requirements for regular admission to the programs.
    Athletic Training.  Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher learning that is fully accredited  by the Council on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, must be a certified trainer or eligible for the BOC exam, and have an overall grade point average of 2.75 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work leading to the baccalaureate degree.
    Physical Education.  Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work leading to the baccalaureate degree.  Applicants with a GPA of 2.5 to 2.74 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work may take the GRE and, with a preferred minimum score of 900 (verbal and quantitative combined), may be considered for conditional admission.
    Health Education.  Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, and have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work leading to the baccalaureate degree.
    Recreation and Leisure Services.  Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work leading to the baccalaureate degree.  Applicants with a GPA of 2.5 to 2.74 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work may be considered for conditional admission.

Financial Aid
    Because the department has a large instructional program for the general university student in addition to broad undergraduate physical education, health education, and recreation major programs, there are extensive opportunities for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or internships.  To be considered for positions as graduate assistant instructors, applicants must have unconditional admission to the Graduate College.  Applicants who are interested in these positions should go to: http://www.hper.txstate.edu/

Courses Offered

Athletic Training (AT)
    5101 Graduate Assistant Development.  (1-0) This course is required of all graduate assistants and provides regular in-service and planned periodic evaluations of instructional responsibilities.  Graduate assistants are required to register for this course in the spring semester of their employment.  This course does not earn graduate degree credit.  Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.
    5201 Graduate Assistant Development.  (2-0) This course is required of all graduate assistants and provides in-service and planned periodic evaluations of instructional responsibilities.  Graduate assistants are required to register for this course in the fall semester of their employment.  This course does not earn graduate degree credit.  Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.
    5302 Special Topics in Athletic Training.  (3-0) This course is designed to educate students in the scientific process and develop an in-depth understanding of the research process in Athletic Training.
    5303 Seminar in Athletic Training.  (3-0) Current trends in athletic and physical education concerning the care and prevention of injuries with special emphasis on therapeutic and rehabilitation techniques.  Taping and bandaging will be practiced in a laboratory situation.
    5307 Bioenergetics of Exercise & Rehabilitation.  (3-0) This course is designed to provide both a theoretical and clinical basis for the use of therapeutic exercise in physiological basis of muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems  in the rehabilitation of all athletic injuries.
    5308 Therapeutic Exercise & Rehabilitation.  (3-0) This course is designed to provide both a theoretical and clinical basis for the use of therapeutic exercise in the rehabilitation setting, as well as to impart knowledge pertaining to the physiological effects, indications, contraindications and applications of therapeutic exercise in the rehabilitation of all athletic injuries.
    5312 Evidence Based Practice and Research in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science.  (3-0) This course will serve as an introduction to basic statistical techniques employed in exercise science and sports medicine with focus on the use of SPSS for data analysis. Students will be introduced to evidence based practice techniques including critical appraisal of research literature, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Prerequisite: PE 5346.
    5399A Thesis.  (3-0) This course represents a student's initial thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until students have completed the thesis in AT 5399B.  Graded on credit (CR), progess (PR), no credit (F) basis.
    5399B Thesis.  (3-0) This course represents a student's continuing thesis enrollment. The student continues to enroll in this course untill the thesis is submitted for binding. Graded on a credit (CR), progress (PR), no credit (F) basis.

Recreation (REC)
    5101 Graduate Assistant Development.  (1-0) This course is required of all graduate teaching and instructional assistants in HPER.  This course provides regular in-service and planned periodic evaluations of instructional responsibilities.  Graduate assistants will be required to register for this course in the spring semester of their employment.  This course does not earn graduate credit.  Graded on credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.
    5201 Graduate Assistant Development.  (2-0) This course is required of all graduate teaching and instructional assistants in HPER.  This course provides regular in-service and planned periodic evaluations of instructional responsibilities.  Graduate assistants will be required to register for this course in the fall semester of their employment.  This course does not earn graduate credit.  Graded on credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.
    5310 Philosophical Foundations of Recreation & Leisure Services.  (3-0) To introduce and explore the meanings of leisure, leisure behavior, and leisure services from historical, philosophical, sociological, and political perspectives.  Students will develop a philosophical view of leisure based on exploration of the history of leisure and the leisure profession as well as consideration of the nature of the individual and society.
    5318 Selected Topics in Recreation and Leisure Services.  (3-0) Topics: 5318A Military Recreation, 5318B Campus Recreation, 5318C Commercial and Entrepreneurial Recreation, and other topics as needed.  May be repeated with different topics for additional credit.
    5318D Technology, Leisure & Recreation: A critical survey.  (3-0) Modern society has increasingly been  redefined by practices contextualized by leisure/recreation and embedded in the essence of leisure. Another definer of modern life is technology. This course is a critical survey of the confluence of these two domains, with new meanings made evident. Technology topics may vary. Open to non-majors.
    5318E Physical environment, life and leisure I: Built public spaces and the leisure experience.  (3-0) The Physical environment is not only a container of human action, it is also itself experienced by people, This course will examine how the human-made environment is a source of meaning and experience and suggest, consequently, how it can be modeled to facilitate preferences by users. Open to non-majors.
    5320 Selected Topics in Therapeutic Recreation.  (3-0) An in-depth study of selected topics in Therapeutic Recreation.  Topics will include (a) leisure enhancement in later life (b) public policy in therapeutic recreation, and (c) play leisurability and life satisfaction.  Repeatable for credit.
    5321 Issues and Trends in Recreation and Leisure Services.  (3-0) A seminar style course where students investigate current events on the provision of services.  This course will address that need.
    5322 Leisure Enhancement in Later Life.  (3-0) A seminar style course that will investigate national trends, issues, and contributions of leisure to the quality of life and well being of senior citizens.  Topics to be discussed may include legal issues, regulatory standards, placement, and expectations.
    5323 Public Policy in Therapeutic Recreation.  (3-0) To provide student with an understanding of the legislative process at national and state levels; the role and influence of government & regulatory bodies, regarding implementation and monitoring of public policy; and the need for documentation and proactive position development and agenda setting.
    5324 Play, Leisureability, and Life Satisfaction.  (3-0) Course covers the theories of play; the importance, impact, and benefits of play in life satisfaction; society’s influences on the nature of play; and the leisureability concept and process.
    5330 Applications of Management in Recreation and Leisure Service Organizations.  (3-0) Course will include topics: Needs assessment, cooperative ventures, master planning, strategic planning, strategic thinking, and management.  All topics will be addressed from the perspective of recreation and leisure service organizations.
    5337 Independent Study in Recreational Administration.  (3-0) Individual study related to recreational administration under direct supervision of a faculty member.  May be repeated for additional credit at the discretion of the department chair.
    5340 Social Psychology of Recreation and Leisure.  (3-0) To provide an introduction and overview of the personal, social and social-psychological contexts of leisure; utilizing current literature the course will focus on examining leisure and recreation behavior from psychological, sociological and social-psychological constructs that are contributing to a contemporary, interdisciplinary understanding of the leisure phenomenon.
    5346 Literature and Research.  (3-0) Directed reading, reports, and discussions of the current literature in the field of education, a critical analysis of research techniques and the locations and securing of information, together with the steps necessary to the solution of research problems in this field.  See Physical Education 5346.
    5350 Legal and Ethical Issues in Recreation and Leisure Services.  (3-0) A seminar style course that focuses on legal and ethical issues related to recreation and leisure services.  Tort law, participant rights, accessibility, credentialing, and others are topics to be addressed in this course.
    5355 Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation.  (3-0) History, philosophy, appropriate terminology, and professional opportunities in therapeutic recreation profession.  Identification of client groups and the role leisure time activity plays in their lives.
    5360 Applications of Marketing and Finance in Recreation.  (3-0) A study of marketing and financial concepts, principles, and techniques as they relate to recreation and leisure delivery systems.  These include service development, pricing, distribution, promotional techniques, atmospherics, fund raising, alternative funding, proposals, and grants.
    5365 Practices and Interventions in Therapeutic Recreation.  (3-0) Acquiring knowledge, understanding, and application of practices in therapeutic recreation services.  Emphasis on facilitation and intervention strategies and “helping” techniques in clinical and community settings, as they relate to administration and current critical issues facing the field.
    5375 Assessment and Documentation in Therapeutic Recreation.  (3-0) Broadens one’s knowledge, understanding of the assessment and documentation process for various populations served; including assessment background, selection of the appropriate tools, techniques; and development of professional documentation skills with regard to client outcomes in all aspects of therapeutic recreation services.
    5380 Administering Leisure Delivery Systems.  (3-0) Study of organizational concepts, a problem-solving model, board-staff relationships, personnel administration, management by objectives, and comprehensive planning in/and for the delivery of leisure services.
    5385 Principles of Therapeutic Recreation.  (3-0) Knowledge and understanding of the principles of therapeutic recreation services.  Acquiring ability to apply this knowledge in developing therapeutic recreation programs and services related to motor, social, and educational needs of participants.
    5399A Thesis.  (3-0) This course represents a student’s initial thesis enrollment.  No thesis credit is awarded until the student has completed the thesis in REC 5399B.  Graded on a credit (CR), progress (PR), no credit (F) basis.
    5399B Thesis.  (3-0) This course represents a student’s continued thesis enrollment.  No thesis credit is awarded until the thesis is submitted for binding.  Graded on a credit (CR), progress (PR), no credit (F) basis.

Graduate Faculty
    Awoniyi, Stephen A., Associate Professor of Recreation Administration.  B.S., M.S., Ahmadu Bello University; M.S., California State University, Sacramento; Ph.D., Indiana University.
    Furney, Steven Reed, Professor of Health Education.  B.S., Texas A&M University; M.Ed., University of Houston; M.P.H., University of Texas School of Public Health; Ed.D., University of Tennessee.
    Gustafson, Thomas F., Assistant Professor of Recreation Administration.  B.S., University of Houston; M.S., Ph.D., Indiana University.
    Pope, Michelle, Associate Professor of Physical Education.  B.S., Michigan State University; M.A., Western Michigan University; Ph.D. Michigan State University.
    Johnson, Maurice Allen, Professor of Physical Education.  B.S., Minot State University; M.Ed., Springfield College; Ed.D., Arizona State University.
    Lantero, Dawn A., Assistant Professor of Physical Education.  B.A., M.S., Purdue University; Ph.D., Arizona State University.
    Lloyd, Lisa K., Associate Professor of Physical Education.  B.E.S.S., Texas State University-San Marcos; M.A.Ed., University of Alabama; Ph.D., University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Al.
    Murray, Tinker Dan, Professor of Physical Education.  B.S., The University of Texas at Austin; M.Ed., Texas State University-San Marcos; Ph.D., Texas A&M University.
    Paese, Paul Carmine, Professor of Physical Education and Associate Dean of the College of Education.  B.S., M.Ed., Bowling Green State University; Ph.D., Ohio State University.
    Pankey, Robert B., Professor Physical Education.  B.S., University of Missouri; M.S., Southern Illinois University; Ed.D., Texas A&M University-College Station.
    Patton, Robert Edward, Professor of Physical Education.  B.S.Ed., M.Ed., Texas State University-San Marcos; Ed.D., University of North Texas.
    Ransone, John W., Professor of Physical Education and Athletic Training.  B.S., Texas State University-San Marcos; M.A., Adams State College; Ph.D., University of New Mexico at Albuquerque.
    Walker, John L., Associate Professor of Physical Education.  B.S., M.A.I.S., Texas State University-San Marcos; Ed.D., University of Houston.
    Wiley, David Clark, Professor of Health Education.  B.S., M.S., East Texas State University; Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin.
    Wilson, Kelly L., Assistant Professor of Health Education.  B.S., Texas A&M University, M.Ed., Texas State University-San Marcos; Ph.D., Texas A&M University-College Station.