2026-2027 Western Washington University Catalog
Health and Human Development
|
|
 Return to: College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Introduction
The Department of Health and Human Development offers degree programs for students interested in professions related to kinesiology, P-12 physical education and health education, public health education, and tourism management and recreation.
Faculty
LINDA A. KEELER (2012) Chair and Professor. BA, Colgate University; MA, University of Maryland; EdD, West Virginia University.
GORDON CHALMERS (1996) Professor. BS, Simon Fraser University; MS, PhD, University of California-Los Angeles.
JESSYCA ARTHUR-CAMESELLE (2015) Professor. BS, College of William and Mary; MEd, PhD, Boston University.
STEVE BENNETT (2018) Associate Professor. BFA, Texas State University; MSPH, Tulane University; PhD, University of Minnesota.
RANDALL T. BURTZ (2003) Associate Professor. BA, MA, Washington State University; PhD, Colorado State University.
KRISTEN E. CHMIELEWSKI (2019) Associate Professor. BA, Knox College; MA, PhD, University of Iowa.
MELISSA D’ELOIA (2015) Associate Professor. BS, Ohio University; MS, PhD, University of Utah.
JASMINE GOODNOW (2013) Professor. BS, Brigham Young University; MS, PhD, University of Utah.
MARY HUNT (2019) Associate Professor. BS, Kansas State University; MS, PhD, University of Arkansas.
YING LI (2006) Professor. BMEd, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University; MS, Zhejiang University; MEd, University of Cincinnati; PhD, University of Florida.
HILLARY ROBEY (2018) Professor, BS, MS, Central Washington University; PhD, University of Northern Colorado.
NATHAN J. ROBEY (2021) Associate Professor. BS, South Dakota State University; MS, Texas State University; PhD, University of Northern Colorado.
KEITH C. RUSSELL (2008) Professor and Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. BS, Lewis and Clark College; MS, PhD, University of Idaho.
BERNARDO SAN JUAN JR. (2013) Professor. BS, University of Philippines; MA, San Diego State University; PhD, University of Oregon.
DAVID N. SUPRAK (2008) Professor. BS, Eastern Washington University; MS, Western Washington University; PhD, University of Oregon.
NICK WASHBURN (2017) Professor. BS, MS, Cortland State University; PhD, University of Alabama.
NICOLE R. WOOD (2024) Assistant Professor. BS, MS, California State University, Fullerton; PhD, University of Northern Colorado.
Affiliated Teaching Faculty
DEB HENRICHS (2001) Senior Instructor. BA, Western Washington University; MS, Western Washington University.
LINDSAY POYNTER (2010) Senior Instructor. BA, Western Washington University; MA, Naropa University.
Facilities
For students in the kinesiology and physical education program, exercise physiology, biomechanics, human performance lab, human performance teaching, and sport psychology laboratories in the state-of-the-art Carver Academic Facility afford students an opportunity for in-depth study in exercise science, sport science, physical and health education teacher preparation, and psychological and behavioral aspects of movement. Considerable practical experience using laboratory and computerized equipment enables students to develop skills in specialized areas.
In the Public Health and Recreation and Tourism Management programs, dedicated shared common spaces in the Carver Academic Facility include classrooms and meeting rooms, with close access to faculty. Through a variety of service-learning opportunities, retreats, field experiences, and internships, students are provided with hands-on experiences with qualified professionals and leading organizations in the recreation, tourism, and allied health field to help solve real-world problems and develop critical professional skills.
Major Programs
Kinesiology and Physical Education
The major programs are varied and include undergraduate student preparation for careers as professional physical and health educators, and undergraduate and graduate kinesiology options. Kinesiology degree completion prepares students for clinical or research graduate school programs or for careers as strength and conditioning specialists,snd fitness instructors in agencies, schools, industries, hospitals and health care facilities. Students are expected to perform community service in all programs. The specializations offered include the following:
Graduate Programs
Major application and declaration policy
WWU students with at least 75 credits completed and a GPA of at least 2.5 may apply to enter one of the three specializations in the Kinesiology major. For application process or above links to specific major programs for instructions on how to apply: chss.wwu.edu/hhd/major-application-and-declaration-procedures.
Kinesiology and Physical Education Mid-Program Checkpoint
Students seeking to complete a BAE degree in teacher education P-12 physical education and health or a BS in kinesiology within a four-year time span should have completed the following courses by the start of their junior year:
NOTE: The Physical Education and Health P-12 teaching major option requires a 4½-year commitment, including a one-semester student teaching internship. Students must meet the minimum entry requirements of the Woodring College of Education before being considered for admission to the Physical Education and Health P-12 program. Prospective students must apply for admission to Woodring College of Education by September 1st of the year they intend to begin the program. Additionally, students need to declare a pre-major in this specialization by the spring quarter of their sophomore year to register for required pre-major classes beginning in the fall of their junior year.
Interested students in the P-12 or kinesiology majors should contact Jen Leita (Jen.Leita@wwu.edu), HHD Advising Coordinator, for current information on the application process and for more information about the major.
Public Health
Public Health is a discipline with roots in the behavioral sciences of psychology, sociology, social psychology, and anthropology; the biological sciences; and education. Students graduate from the program thoroughly versed and practiced as public health professionals and are prepared to succeed on the Certified Health Education Specialist qualifying exam (www.nchec.org/).
The Public Health major is a good fit for students who want to work in community, public, population, and global health; health communication; governmental and non-profit agencies and organizations; medical care settings; worksite wellness programs; and college and university student service health programs. It can also serve as preparatory program for graduate or post-baccalaureate study in Public Health and related areas.
Degree Information
There are two steps to becoming a Public Health major:
Step 1, Pre-Major Application:
Students interested in applying to the major should first pre-major in Public Health. This allows students access to entry-level courses.
Step 2, Major Application:
Pre-majors must apply for admission to the major by early April.
See Jen Leita (Jen.Leita@wwu.edu), HHD Advising Coordinator, for more information on signing up as a pre-major and applying to the major.
Please note: As a Public Health major, you must maintain a 2.50 GPA in all major courses to enroll in the required full-time internship at the end of the program of study.
Recreation and Tourism Management
Turn your passion into a meaningful and rewarding career within the recreation, therapeutic recreation, and tourism industries. Nationally accredited since 1986, the Recreation and Tourism Management major features an innovative, cohort-based curriculum that offers a supportive community where students gain highly transferrable skills in program design and delivery, organizational management, community building, and program evaluation. Successful graduates are employed throughout the region, nation, and world. Specific jobs include working as recreation therapists, sustainable tourism manager, adventure guide, eco-lodge operator, recreation program supervisor, community events coordinator, and park ranger with state and federal agencies.
Degree Information
The Recreation and Tourism Management major and its Therapeutic Recreation curriculum are nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions.
Students interested in Recreation and Tourism Management should contact Jen Leita (Jen.Leita@wwu.edu), HHD Advising Coordinator for information about declaring the major.
ProgramsUndergraduate MajorUndergraduate MinorGraduateCertificationCoursesCoaching Development
Courses numbered X37; X97; 300, 400 are described in the University Academic Policies section of this catalog. Kinesiology
Courses numbered X37; X97; 300, 400, 500 are described in the University Academic Policies section of this catalog. Physical Activity
Courses numbered X37; X97; 300, 400 are described in the University Academic Policies section of this catalog.
Physical Education
Courses numbered X37; X97; 300, 400 are described in the University Academic Policies section of this catalog. Page: 1
| 2
| 3
Return to: College of Humanities and Social Sciences
|
