Undergraduate Degree Programs

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

The College of Education offers undergraduate programs in two academic departments. These are the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (CI) and the Department of Health, and Human Performance (HHP).

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

Degree Programs Offered

BS, major in Interdisciplinary Studies (Early Childhood through Grade 6)
BS, major in Interdisciplinary studies (Grades 4-8)
BS, major in Interdisciplinary Studies (All-level Special Education)

EC-6 or 4-8
Students who wish to teach in either the early childhood through grade six levels or in the grade four through eight levels (middle school) pursue the Bachelor of Science with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies with the following four categories of study:

general education
specialty curricula for the focus at either the early childhood-grade 6 level, the grade 4-8 level, or all-level special education
a professional studies curriculum designed for specific roles in teaching
electives adequate to complete the number of hours required for graduation

The total number of hours to graduate will vary between 128 to 139 semester hours, depending on the focus selected. Students who seek secondary certification (8-12) or all-level certification (Early Childhood-12) follow the curriculum outlined by the department of their major. These students take professional development courses offered by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Interdisciplinary Studies Majors
Students seeking this major should consult with advisors in the Advising Center prior to each registration for detailed information regarding specific requirements.

High School and All-Level Programs
Students who wish to be certified to teach at the high school level (grades 8-12) will follow the curriculum specified by their major department and will apply to the appropriate department or advising center for their degree outline. The Department of Curriculum and Instruction provides the following professional education sequence: CI 3310, CI 3325, High School Block, and ED 4681 (Student Teaching).

For specific information about degrees offered at the undergraduate level in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction contact the Undergraduate Advising Center.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH and HUMAN PERFORMANCE

Degree Programs offered:

BESS, major in Exercise and Sports Science, with all-level physical education teacher certification
BESS, major in Exercise and Sports Science, with a concentration in health and wellness promotion for clinical populations
BESS, major in Exercise and Sports Science, with a concentration in pre-physical therapy
BESS, major in Health and Fitness Management, with a minor in business administration
BHWP, major in Health and Wellness Promotion, with all-level health education teacher certification
BHWP, major in Health and Wellness Promotion, non-teacher certification
BS, major in Athletic Training
BSRA, major in Recreational Administration
BSRA, major in Recreational Administration, with a therapeutic recreation emphasis

Athletic Training
The 2011-12 academic year marks the 40th consecutive year that Texas State University has sponsored a nationally-accredited education program in athletic training. Athletic trainers work to prevent, as well as diagnose, treat and rehabilitate injuries and illnesses, under the direction of a physician. The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Athletic Training prepares students for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification examination and the State of Texas athletic training licensure exam. Texas State’s entry-level program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education through the 2019-2020 academic year. Many of our graduates work in secondary schools and sports medicine clinics in Texas; those who go on to graduate school have found employment with colleges, universities, and professional sport teams.

Exercise and Sports Science
The Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (BESS) degree program has four specializations that prepare students for a variety of careers. The BESS with all-level physical education teacher certification prepares graduates for careers in teaching physical education in elementary and secondary schools, as well as coaching interscholastic sports. The BESS with a concentration in pre-physical therapy is a cooperative program of several academic units preparing graduates for competitive admission to graduate/professional programs in allied health careers (medicine, physical/occupational therapy, physicians assistant). The BESS with a concentration in health and wellness promotion for clinical populations prepares graduates for careers in medically-managed health and fitness programs. This specialization provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform cardiopulmonary, clinical exercise, and diagnostic testing and programming for cardiac rehabilitation and other special populations. The BESS with a major in health and fitness management and a minor in business administration prepares students to direct fitness enterprises and wellness or health awareness programs in commercial, corporate, and institutional settings. Areas of study include fitness programming, stress management, smoking cessation, diet/nutrition, health-risk appraisal, and employee assistance. The curriculum also allows students to acquire the academic and clinical prerequisites needed to earn professional certification. Graduates work as fitness leaders, exercise testing technicians, cardiac rehabilitation specialists, or corrective therapists. Others are employed as salespersons, administrators, and managers of sports or fitness facilities. All these BESS specializations allow graduates to sit for national certification exams or pursue graduate study in exercise science/kinesiology.

Health Promotion
Health promotion is the process of improving people’s understanding, attitudes, and conduct regarding individual and community health. Professionals in health promotion teach elementary or secondary school, or they work in community health agencies. Texas State health promotion graduates work in education, emergency medical services, senior citizens programming, worksite wellness programs, Public Health Departments, Volunteer Health Organizations, and various other fields. The Bachelor of Health and Wellness Promotion provides a major in health and wellness promotion with all-level teacher certification or a non-teaching major in health and wellness promotion with all-level teacher certification or a non-teaching major with a specialization in community health promotion.

Recreational Administration
The Bachelor of Science in Recreational Administration combines classroom learning and on-the-job training. Students study such areas as recreation programming, leadership, marketing, evaluation, administration, and therapeutic recreation. Recreational administration graduates, including those with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation, work in camps, nursing homes, community recreation centers, resorts, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, fitness centers, and state and national parks. The program is nationally accredited. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (CTRS) and/or the National Recreation and Park Association’s National Certification Board (CPRP) examinations.
Click here for more information about programs in the Department of HHP

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Undergraduate Degree Programs