BS Recreation Studies - Community Recreation Concentration

The Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (BESS) degree has several specializations that allow graduates to prepare for careers and post-graduate training in health and rehabilitation professions, education, exercise prescription, management of exercise programs, and coaching. For students interested in health and rehabilitation careers, the BESS with a concentration in Pre-Rehabilitation Science gives students a degree that is well aligned with entrance requirements of advanced study in health care and allied health professions like athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthotics/prosthetics, chiropractic, or physician's assistant. For students interested in a career in athletic training, the Pre-Rehabilitation Sciences concentration also offers a 3/2 dual program though which students may complete both BESS degree and Master of Science in Athletic Training degree within 5 years. Current information on the 3/2 program admission requirements can be found here. The BESS with a concentration in Clinical Exercise Science prepares graduates for careers in cardiopulmonary, clinical exercise physiology, and diagnostic testing and programming for cardiac rehabilitation and other special populations. The BESs with All-level Physical Education (EC-12) Teacher Certification prepares graduates to teach in elementary and secondary schools. The BESS with a major in Health and Fitness Management and minor in Business Administration blends exercise science knowledge with the management and leadership skills needed to direct fitness and health/wellness programs in commercial, corporate, and institutional settings. Select advanced course work and field experiences may be required for graduation in these programs and depend on maintenance of GPAs above 2.0 or 2.75.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health will provide students with the breadth of knowledge, skills, and experiential learning for careers in public health.  The purpose of the program is to facilitate development of knowledge and skills to promote health in public health settings (e.g., community, governmental, educational, healthcare) by using evidence-based practices to design, implement, and evaluate public health programs that impact individual behavior, community environments, and public policy. Students can complete the general B.S. in Public Health degree, or they can choose one of the three concentrations: Applied Epidemiology, Health Equity, or Health and Wellness Coaching. Graduates of this program play a vital role in the public health and health promotion workforces. Careers include jobs with governmental public health agencies, industries, non-profit organizations, and various clinical settings with specializations in obesity and diabetes prevention, epidemiology, mental health, substance abuse prevention, public policy, environmental health, maternal, child, and adolescent health, or worksite wellness. Completion of this program may lead to further education opportunities in community and public health, health promotion, allied health, dental, and medical graduate programs. Upon degree completion, students are eligible to sit for the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Certified in Public Health (CPH), and the Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP) exams.

The Bachelor of Science in Recreation Studies combines classroom learning, field-based learning and on-the-job training in two career tracks: recreation administration and therapeutic recreation. Students study recreation programming, leadership, marketing, evaluation, administration, and therapeutic recreation. Recreation Studies graduates work in camps, nursing homes, recreation centers, resorts, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, fitness centers, and state and national parks. The program is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation, Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT) in both recreation studies and therapeutic recreation. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for certification examinations for National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist - CTRS) and/or the National Recreation and Park Association (Certified Park and Recreation Professional - CPRP).

Several Texas State degree programs require Physical Fitness and Wellness (PFW) classes to give students knowledge, skills, and health-related benefits of physical activity. All students may elect to take PFW classes to learn new skills/activities, relieve stress, maintain health, and meet others with similar activity interests. Most students may elect to take PFW 1301 (Behavioral and Social Dimensions of Physical Activity and Wellness) to satisfy their general education requirement in social and behavioral sciences. The PFW program provides a wide variety of activity classes that include sports, games, indoor or outdoor activities both on and off campus. PFW classes are for students of all ages, skill ranges, and abilities. Some PFW classes, however, are restricted to students who are involved in athletics, band, ROTC, and other organizations. Some off-campus classes have an additional activity fee appropriate for the instructor and facilities used. Contact the Director of the PFW Division if you have any questions about PFW classes.

The All-Level Physical Education Teacher Certifications requires formal admittance into the Educator Preparation Program by the Office of Educator Preparation. Please see http://www.education.txstate.edu/oep/ for current admittance requirements and procedures.