The Department of Health and Physical Education develops high quality professional educators who are knowledgeable in subject matter and competent in pedagogical skills associated with the professions of health and physical education. The curriculum is student-centered and provides a diversity of learning experiences that gradually require students to assume a greater responsibility in the teaching/learning process. Undergraduate health and physical education majors are encouraged to examine present educational practices, to identify value assumptions, to consider alternative pedagogical strategies, and to reflect on their own behavior. The faculty in the Health and Physical Education Program recognize that in order to meet the educational needs of a rapidly and consistently changing society, students and teachers must be willing and capable to change and adapt. Consequently, the focus of the curriculum is centered upon teaching students analytical and critical thinking and problem solving skills.

The primary goal of the program and the focus of the curriculum is to prepare effective educators who are familiar with present and future professional issues of health and physical education. A subsequent goal is to prepare educators who are capable of responding to their presently expanding roles in the promotion of the health, physical fitness, and well being of their learners. It is recognized that achievement of program goals will ultimately be measured in terms of the impact that graduates have upon the learners they teach and the communities they serve.

The HPE Department Curriculum Committee regularly reviews and evaluates the current curriculum to determine the need for revision. Changes are made as a result of updating course content to better address the standards established by the discipline's learned societies. They include the American Association for Health Education (AAHE) and National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). The Department of Health and Physical Education is currently accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The department regularly participates in scheduled reviews of this nationally recognized organization. The program is currently accredited for both Health Education and Physical Education.