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Health, Physical Education & Recreation Department

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The health, physical education and recreation curriculum offers a nationally recognized set of professional-preparation programs and a service program geared to meet the present and future fitness and recreational needs of Briar Cliff students.

Students in Briar Cliff's Teacher Preparation Program can earn a major emphasis in a K-12 Physical Education teaching, a teaching minor, a health endorsement and a coaching endorsement.

For those pursuing careers outside of teaching, students may select from major areas of emphasis in Recreation or Sports Management, or pursue degrees in Sports Management or Sports Science. Students may also select a minor in recreation and leisure or a coaching authorization.

Internship Opportunities

HPER development will be highlighted with an internship using one of the community or professional resources developed by the department. Recent internships include:

  • The Sioux City Bandits of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL) 
  • The Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL)
  • Sioux City Explorers of the American Association, Independent Professional Baseball
  • Boys and Girls Club
  • Salvation Army
  • YMCA
  • City and county parks and recreation departments

 

Details

DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Jay Gunnels

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Degrees Offered

Coaching Endorsement

Briar Cliff's coaching authorization program falls in line with National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) standards. It is for students who wish to develop coaching competencies and skills, and is open to any Briar Cliff undergraduate, regardless of their major.

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Physical Education

This program is open to students who are also enrolled in the Briar Cliff teacher education program. This nationally recognized physical education program employs a modified verison of National Association for Sport and Physical Education Standards for Advance Programs in Physical Education Teacher Education.

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Phyiscal Education (Minor)

Students enrolled in Briar Cliff’s education program will qualify for a K-6/7-12 physical education teaching endorsement should they select this minor.

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Recreation and Leisure (Minor)

The minor in recreation and leisure is designed to teach students the various skills, roles and functions of sports managers. The minor will develop skills necessary for a variety of fields, including sports management, athletic training, refereeing, mass communication and education, among others.

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Sports Management

The sports management major is designed for students to pursue careers in sports management, sports promotion, sports sales or sports facilities.

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Sports Science

The sports science degree is an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree with required course work from three disciplines: HPER, Biology and Chemistry. In addition to these courses, there will be three additional supporting courses from two different disciplines.

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Courses

HPER 118 - Personal and Community Health
HPER 119 - Introduction to and History of Physical Education
HPER 175 - Independent HPER Study
HPER 214 - Physical Education Activities for Pre-K to 6 Elementary Schools
HPER 231 - Recreation Leadership
HPER 232 - Camp Counseling
HPER 261 - Practicum in Athletic Training
HPER 275 - Independent HPER Study II
HPER 280 - Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
HPER 338 - Teaching Movement Pre K-6
HPER 375 - Independent HPER Study III
HPER 382 - Curriculum, Computers/Media and Methods of Phys. Ed.
HPER 383 - Advanced Physical Education Skills
HPER 384 - Human Performance and Skill Learning
HPER 385 - Concepts of Coaching
HPER 4(x) - HPER Activity Courses
HPER 439 - Kinesiology
HPER 443 - Organization and Administration of Physical Education and Athletics
HPER 461 - Advanced Athletic Training
HPER 475 - Independent HPER Study IV
HPER 490 - HPER Internship
HPER 51 IR - Adapted Physical Education: Theory and Practice
HPER 52 IR - Recreation for the Disabled Person
HPER 53 IR - Adapted Physical Activities: Living and Working
HPER 61 IR - Senior Practicum
HPER 63 IR - Methods of Teaching Track and Field
HPER 64 IR - Fitness Testing and Exercise Prescription
HPER 65 IR - First Aid and CPR Instructors Course
SPTS 490 - Sports Science Internship
SPTS 64 IS - Fitness Testing and Exercise Prescription
SPTS 65 IS - First Aid and CPR Instructors Course
SPTS 70 IS - Cardiovascular Physiology
SPTS 71 IS - Advanced Human Anatomy

Faculty

Jay Gunnels
Chair, Professor of Health, Physical Education & Recreation
712-279-1706
Rory Jackson
Instructor of Health, Physical Education & Recreation
712-279-1602
Marian Pesky
Assistant Professor of Health, Physical Education & Recreation
712-279-5558
Michelle Schaper
Assistant Instructor of Healthy, Physical Education & Recreation
712-279-1686