University of Nebraska Kearney

Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies Assessment Mission 

Graduates of the department will understand the philosophy that guides their professional field and its relationship to the philosophy of a democratic society. Graduates will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the central concepts of their field and their ability to work in diverse environments as reflective practitioners who continually evaluate the effects of their choices and actions on others. Finally, graduates of the HPERLS department will have the ability to understand their communities and the structures of the organizations in which they work.

Desired Outcomes 

The Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies offers undergraduate degree programs that lead to careers in the professional fields of athletic training, exercise science, sport nutrition, travel/tourism, recreation, and sport administration. The department also offers traditional teaching degrees in physical education and health. The following are specific outcomes for graduates in our department.

Ten Desired Outcomes for Graduates of Professional Programs in HPERLS 

1. Graduates will understand the foundations and processes of their professional field.
2. Graduates will understand the central concepts and structures of their discipline and be able to create experiences that are applicable to the real world
3. Graduates will be able to understand and provide opportunities to enhance human development.
4. Graduates will understand cultural differences in their approaches to communication and or learning.
5. Graduates will be reflective practitioners who continually evaluate the effects of their choices and actions on others and who actively seek out opportunities to grow professionally.
6. Graduates will understand both formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate social and or physical development.
7. Graduates will be skilled in the group process of collaborative team decision making in a democratic society.
8. Graduates will understand their clientele and work effectively with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
9. Graduates will have the ability to use technology in the workplace.
10. Graduates will have the ability to understand the community in which they live and the structures of the organization in which they work.

Professional Program Specific Objectives 

1. Sports Administration graduates will:
1. be able to develop and state a philosophy of athletics (Desired Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6)
2. demonstrate an understanding of the requirements for and the ability to develop:
1. facilities plans (Desired Outcomes 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10)
2. viable budgets (Desired Outcomes 1, 2, 5, 8, 10)
3. marketing plans (Desired Outcomes 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10)
4. policies and procedures plans (Desired Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10) 
2. Recreation graduates will:
1. be able to produce a personal leadership profile (Desired Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8)
2. be able to demonstrate the ability to use computer software specific to their discipline (Desired Outcomes 1, 2, 9)
3. demonstrate an understanding of the requirements for and the ability to develop:
1. facilities designs (Desired Outcomes 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 
2. recreation programs (Desired Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10)
3. policies and procedures handbooks (Desired Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10) 
3. Exercise Science graduates will:
   1. demonstrate an understanding of the concepts involved in a case study and the ability to produce one for a potential client (Desired Outcomes 2, 3, 7)
   2. demonstrate the ability to develop an incentive plan to motivate clients to exercise (Desired Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)
   3. demonstrate the ability to use computer software to develop and present a Power Point presentation specific to the treatment program project (Desired Outcomes 4, 7, 8, 9)
   4. demonstrate the ability to apply theories on exercise behavior while completing volunteer practicum or family studies program. (Desired Outcomes 2, 3, 8, 10)
    

Ten Desired Outcomes for Graduates of Health & Physical Education Programs 

1. Graduates will understand the relationship of the philosophy that guides the education process in a democratic society, the College of Education, their specific discipline, and the behaviors they utilize in their classrooms.
2. Graduates will understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, instructional technology strategies, and standards of the discipline(s) they teach and be able to create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for all students.
3. Graduates will understand the effect of cultural background on student learning and development. They should be able to provide technologically-enhanced learning opportunities that support intellectual, social, and personal development of diverse students.
4. Graduates will understand different student learning styles and exceptionalities and be able to develop a variety of instructional opportunities, including the use of technology, that are adapted to diverse learners.
5. Graduates will be reflective practitioners who continually evaluate the effects of their choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seek out opportunities to grow professionally.
6. Graduate will understand and use both formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate professional standards and ensure the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the learner.
7. Graduates will be skilled in the democratic process of collaborative decision making.
8. Graduate will understand the strengths and needs of their students and possess the necessary skills to work effectively with individuals and groups from a variety of racial, cultural, ethnic, experiential, and linguistic backgrounds.
9. Graduates will have knowledge of family and school influences that affect student wellness, learning, and achievement. They must be able to form partnerships among parents, educators, and the community in the best interests of their students.
10. Graduates will understand the school as a democratic system and how to work with individuals and groups to facilitate structures and policies that create and maintain schools as a safe, caring, and inviting place for members of the school community.

Health & Physical Education Program Specific Objectives 

4. Health & Physical Education graduates will:
   1. demonstrate the ability to use technology to input, interpret and track trends in the discipline (Desired Outcomes 2, 3, 4, 6)
   2. demonstrate the ability to create lesson plans, deliver them, and assess subsequent learning (Desired Outcomes 2, 4, 5, 6)
   3. develop and communicate their philosophy of health/physical education (Desired Outcomes 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10)
   4. demonstrate the ability to develop exemplary secondary health lesson plans(Desired Outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)
   5. demonstrate the ability to deliver effective instruction to students with disabilities in the physical education setting (Desired Outcomes 6, 7)