Department of Health and Human Performance
Transforming Lives Through Health and Performance
By earning a health and human performance degree, you will gain the knowledge and real-world experience you need as a leader in diverse communities.
Promote Health. STRENGTHEN Communities.
We strive to prepare the next generation of leaders in health, kinesiology and sport management. You will gain knowledge and real-world experience in diverse community and global settings. Our faculty and students produce and disseminate quality research that is current and relevant to communities of learners in our academic, professional and global environments.
We offer undergraduate and graduate programs in health with teacher certification; public health; kinesiology with teacher certification; human performance; and sports and recreation management.
Our accomplished faculty and small class sizes produce an inviting atmosphere for learning and scholarship.
Welcome from the Department Head
Welcome to the Department of Health and Human Performance at Texas A&M University-Commerce. We offer graduate and undergraduate programs in health with teacher certification, public health, kinesiology with teacher certification, human performance, and sport and recreation management. Our accomplished faculty and small class sizes produce an inviting atmosphere for learning and scholarship.
Explore Our Programs
Kinesiology and Sports Studies (BS)
The bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and sports studies prepares students for employment in a wide variety of settings in the fitness industry, in the sports and allied health field, rehabilitation clinics, sports teams, and more. The Human Performance track is designed to prepare individuals for graduate school (e.g. kinesiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy).
Kinesiology and Sports Studies (BS) Allied Health Emphasis
The bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and sports studies with an emphasis in allied health provides you a background in kinesiology that prepares you for an allied health graduate program. Take prerequisite courses for allied health programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training and other allied health professions. Select support courses based on the prerequisites for specific professional school programs.
Kinesiology and Sports Studies (BS) Exercise Science Emphasis
A bachelor's degree in kinesiology and sports studies with a Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) concentration, you will be prepared to teach K-12 students. Our program emphasizes engagement and hands-on experience in the field.
Kinesiology and Sports Studies (BS) General Kinesiology Emphasis
The bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and sports studies prepares students for employment in a wide variety of settings in the fitness industry, in the sports and allied health field, rehabilitation clinics, sports teams, and more. The general kinesiology track is designed to prepare individuals for graduate school (e.g. kinesiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy).
Kinesiology and Sports Studies (BS) Strength and Conditioning Emphasis
The bachelor's degree in kinesiology and sports studies with strength and conditioning emphasis prepares students for employment in a wide variety of settings in the fitness industry, in the sports and allied health field, rehabilitation clinics, sports teams and more. The strength and conditioning track is designed to prepare individuals for graduate school (e.g. kinesiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy).
Kinesiology and Sports Studies (BS) Teaching Emphasis
Physical Education Teacher Education – all-level certification is designed to prepare teachers for early childhood through grade twelve in physical education.
Nutrition (BS)
Discover the science of nutrition, learn methods of nutrition assessment and therapy, gain nutrition education and counseling techniques and practice food-service management skills.
Public Health (BSPH)
Public health is designed to prepare students for the CHES exam and careers in biostatistics, epidemiology and environmental health.
Sport and Recreation Management (BS)
Sport and recreation management is designed to prepare future administrators, event coordinators and marketers for a career in the sport and recreation industry.
Health, Kinesiology & Sports Studies (MS) Athletic Administration Concentration
This 30-credit hour program will prepare you for a career in athletic administration and can be completed within a year. You have the option of completing an internship to gain real-world experience as you complete your degree work.
Health, Kinesiology & Sports Studies (MS) Exercise Science Concentration
Prepare for a rewarding career in athletic administration, exercise science, health promotion or sport and recreation management with a Master of Science in Health, Kinesiology and Sports Studies. With two concentrations offered 100% online, our affordable, convenient and practical degree programs are an ideal solution for working professionals like you to enhance your career.
Health, Kinesiology & Sports Studies (MS) International Sport Management Concentration
Health, Kinesiology & Sports Studies (MS) Sports Coaching Concentration
Our 30-credit hour master's program is designed for you. It addresses the needs and goals of both pre-service and veteran coaches. You will enhance your skills and knowledge within the four essential areas of coaching which are tactical, technical, psychological and physical.
Public Health (MPH)
The masters of Public Health program provides advanced studies in public health (health behavior, epidemiology, policy and management, environmental health and biostatistics).
Athletic Administration Graduate Certificate
Exercise Science Graduate Certificate
Intercollegiate Sport Administration Graduate Certificate
Master sports marketing and social organization and empower your sports career with our Intercollegiate Sport Administration graduate certificate.
Sports Coaching Graduate Certificate
This online program covers all four areas of coaching: physical, psychological, tactical and technical. The mix of theory and practice will give you the ability to impact your athletes’ mental and physical performance.
Health and Human performance minors
The Department of Health and Human Performance offers multiple minor options, including athletic training, health, coaching athletics, sport and recreation management, and human performance.
If you’re interested athletic training, you can pursue a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and sports studies (human performance emphasis) with an athletic training minor. The athletic training minor allows you to complete the required courses to qualify for the Texas Licensure exam to become a Licensed Athletic Trainer within the state of Texas.
You will be required to complete 1,800 apprenticeship hours under the supervision of an athletic trainer, which must be completed over a minimum of five fall or spring semesters. To become a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), you can pursue a master’s degree in a CAATE accredited athletic training program upon completion of your bachelor’s degree. Our program will help you complete pre-requisites and gain experience for an accredited master's program. Please contact Sarah Mitchell for more details.
For more information contact Sarah Mitchell, 903.886.5543
Upcoming Department Events
We look forward to seeing you at one of our next departmental events!
Scholarships
Graduate with Less Debt
As a health and human performance student, you have access to a wide range of scholarships specific to your degree.
The Delmer Brown Athletic Trainer Endowment is awarded to deserving students in the athletic trainer program.
Awards are made to designated individuals chosen by a committee as determined by the Athletic Director.
The Jesse Hawthorne Endowment is available for graduate students majoring in health and human performance.
The Jency and Kent Holbert HHP Scholarship is available for full-time students majoring in health and human performance who are experiencing financial hardship. You must be accepted into the field-based student teaching program or its successor.
Student Organizations
Phi Pi Delta
Majors Club
The organization for health and human performance majors, Phi Pi Delta (Majors Club), provides many advantages for its members. We encourage all health and human performance majors to stop by the Field House office 100 and sign-up. Membership dues are only $25.00 per year. Faculty Chair: Dean Culpepper
- Meet new people that share common interests
- Network with important people in your field of study
- Financial assistance for attending Professional Conventions
- Social involvement with faculty and other students
(school activities, homecoming, Rangers games and much more) - Gain valuable experience that will help your professional career
News Spotlights
A&M-Commerce Kinesiology Student Discovers Career Focus as a Champion for Accessibility in Sports
Standing courtside at a recent unified basketball event hosted at Texas A&M University-Commerce, kinesiology student Katelyn Frisbie’s eyes light up as she cheers for both special education and general education students participating in the event. As an aspiring adapted physical education (PE) teacher, it’s an environment where she feels right at home. What is Adapted […]
A&M-Commerce Earns Third Consecutive Silver Distinction for Campus Wellness Efforts
Texas A&M-Commerce is one of only 145 universities and colleges worldwide recognized by Exercise is Medicine for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. The Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EIM-OC) leadership team at A&M-Commerce—including Dr. Vipa Bernhardt, John McQuillan and graduate students Chaehyun Byun and Ernesto Balderrama—earned silver-level distinction for the […]
TAMUC Health and Human Performance Students Present at Regional Conference
Twelve students and three faculty from the Department of Health and Human Performance at A&M-Commerce attended and presented at the annual conference for the Texas chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine in Waco, Texas, Feb. 22-23. Marshall Tousant, Raquel Cavazos, Francesca Aquilino, Shelby Gerner, Austin Riffe, Ernest Balderrama, Chaehyun Byun and Cheyenne Martinez—all […]
Health and Human Performance Students Present at Social Change Conference
A&M-Commerce students from the Department of Health and Human Performance, guided by Assistant Professor Katharine Halfacre, presented an educational session titled “Roundtable: Perspectives on Women’s Health and Nutrition” at the Social Change Conference held on campus Feb. 20. The session addressed various topics related to health equity, including diet culture, eating disorders, women’s health programs, […]
A&M-Commerce Alum, Instructor Spearheads Changes to CFL Collective Bargaining Agreement
A&M-Commerce alum and instructor Dr. Brandy Runyan recently celebrated the culmination of a two-year effort to battle fraudulent practices targeting free agents in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Runyan, founder of Black Diamond PR & Sport Management Firm in Dallas, championed the addition of Article 28.1 to the CFL’s collective bargaining agreement, marking a big […]
A&M-Commerce Students Gain Skills for Healthy, Affordable Cooking
The Department of Health and Human Performance at A&M-Commerce, in conjunction with the Lions Coalition for Accessible Needs, recently hosted a seminar on healthy meal preparation in the testing kitchen within the Nursing and Health Sciences building on campus. More than 30 students attended the event, where Dr. Katharine Halfacre, assistant professor of nutrition, and […]
A&M-Commerce Hosts Special Education Mini Field Day for Commerce ISD
Students of all abilities from Commerce ISD (CISD) and A&M-Commerce joined forces to facilitate a day of activities for students with disabilities on Friday, Sept. 29. In total, more than 50 CISD students attended with several teachers and staff members. General education students participated as peer mentors. Hosted in the Nursing and Health Sciences Building’s […]
A&M-Commerce Faculty and Students Conduct Elite Athlete Research Abroad
A team of A&M-Commerce researchers recently partnered with USA Track & Field to conduct research at the 2023 Thorpe Cup competition in Germany. The trip was sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Performance, the College of Education and Human Services and the Office of International Programs at A&M-Commerce. Tasked with building an athletic […]
A&M-Commerce Wellness Efforts Earn Second Consecutive Silver Distinction
For the second year in a row, A&M-Commerce has earned a silver distinction from the Exercise is Medicine organization for efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. Of the 149 universities and colleges honored by the organization worldwide, 73 received gold, 55 received silver, and 21 reached bronze. The Exercise is Medicine On […]
A&M-Commerce Conducts Elite Performance Research at Dallas Track and Field Event
The Department of Health and Human Performance at A&M-Commerce recently conducted performance testing with athletes competing at the John Green Texas Greatest Athletes Invitational from June 2-4 at the Greenhill School in Addison, Texas. The research team included Drs. Michael Oldham, Vipa Bernhardt and Steve Prewitt; Kaylie Daniels, RDN; and Assistant Track and Field Coach […]
Meet our Department
Contact Us
- Department of Health and Human Performance
- 903.886.5549
- P.O. Box 3011
- Commerce, TX 75429-3011