The Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPR) prepares students to become health education and physical education teachers.  With this knowledge base, dispositions, and performances our graduates are prepared to teach K-12 grade students in dynamic and diverse education settings.  In addition, the HPR Department seeks to produce health and physical education teachers who can demonstrate this vision to all students regardless of ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, or motivation. 

Health and physical education is a dynamic field of study.  The faculty routinely examines the course of study to insure that it reflects the ever-changing needs of children.

Wright State University’s HPR program is based on the most current accepted standards available.  Both the American Association for Health Education (AAHE) and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) have specific criteria and/or guidelines that have been utilized in the development of the HPR program.

HPR professionals are dedicated to improving the health and activity levels of individuals/groups through educational interventions and other strategies characterized by respect for competing value systems, and overriding commitment to self-determination, justice, and the right of individuals to make informed choices.  They must possess a recognized knowledge base about human health and physical activity to successfully promote well-being skills. The HPR licensure process at Wright State University is based on these humanitarian and democratic ideals.

The formal preparation phase for teachers of health and physical education is a critical.  It provides the basic understanding of the nature of problems and methods of teaching.  This understanding is based on theory and research, and the ability to make sound instructional decisions.  Health and physical educators liberate people through their honest exchange of accurate and valid information, while maintaining an appropriate level consideration and respect for human diversity and individuals rights to determine their own ways of living.  The faculty of the HPR program at Wright State University espouses the belief that one of the most important public education outcomes is the ability of children (people) to make sound positive lifestyle choices and hence, take responsibility for their own health.