HHPR Department Moves to New College
Baylor University announced in May the establishment of a College of Health and Human Sciences that will unite four existing academic units, including the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation (HHPR), a department of the School of Education.
Other anchor units collaborating to form the new College are the Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Communication Sciences and Disorders.
“We are pleased to see this recognition for the health-related programs that have grown up in and been nurtured by the School of Education,” said School of Education Dean Jon Engelhardt.
Dr. Rodney Bowden, professor of health education and the SOE’s associate dean for graduate studies and research, will be executive associate dean in the new college. Dr. Shelley Conroy, dean of the nursing school, was appointed to a two-year term as inaugural dean of the new college.
The HHPR department’s undergraduate enrollment for Spring 2014 topped 700, an increase of 20 percent in the last five years. HHPR offers 10 undergraduate majors, with the largest being Health Science Studies (HSS), which enrolls about half of the department’s undergraduates. The HSS major can be designed as pre-professional preparation for graduate health programs such as medical, dental, physician assistant, physical therapy or pharmacy school.
Dr. Barb Symm, who directs the HSS program, said the program’s flexibility attracts many students. “Our programs can help students fulfill their calling — which is often to help people and save lives — through a variety of health professions.”
Symm said about half of all HSS graduates are accepted to graduate or professional programs.
, a 2014 graduate now enrolled in the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, said his switch from biology to Health Science Studies allowed him to focus on sciences he enjoyed — fitness, exercise and nutrition— and also get practical experience.
“In Health Science Studies, they are big on not only knowing the information, but being able to use it,” he said. During a summer internship with a transplant surgeon, he said, “I explored medicine like I never thought I would, and I have a ton of experience going into medical school. I definitely feel prepared.”
HHPR department chair Paul Gordon, PhD, said that many HHPR students choose HHPR programs after they are already enrolled at Baylor. “All of our programs have been ‘discovery’ majors for the most part,” he said. “This new college opens up more opportunity and visibility for our programs.”
HHPR graduated 44 students with master’s degrees and three doctoral students in 2013-14. The department also operates Baylor’s lifetime fitness program of required physical education classes for students of all majors. About 4,000 students are enrolled each semester. — Meg Cullar