May 08, 2025  
2024-2026 Tougaloo College Catalog 
  
2024-2026 Tougaloo College Catalog

Health and Recreation, AA


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by Curriculum Division

Health and Recreation AA Program 

The Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) Program offers professional preparation programs for majors and a physical activity program for non-majors to fulfill the College’s general education requirement for physical education. The Department offers undergraduate degree programs leading to Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Health and Physical Education and Health and Recreation and also (AA) degree in Health and Recreation. 
The overall objectives of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation are to 1) provide a course of study in which students gain the basic knowledge, skills, and abilities to teach health and physical education at the K-12 levels; 2) provide a specialized course of study that will prepare students to be competitive in seeking professional careers in many non-teaching health, physical education, and recreation-related fields, 3) provide General Education courses to meet the College’s core requirements of health and physical fitness, and 4) provide service to the College and the surrounding community by promoting health education, physical activity and fitness.   The AA in Health and Recreation degree allows the student to be exposed to the requirements for the BA degree if desired and gain basic skills designed for the content area.

Mission Statement

The objectives of the Department follow the Council for Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) adopted from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and other professional guidelines.  The objectives  are: 1) to provide a course of study which will contribute to the liberal education of all students including health, physical education, and recreation majors; 2) to provide a course of study for students planning to teach health and physical education K-12; 3) to provide a course of study for students that will help them to be competitive in seeking employment in various fields related to health, physical education, and recreation; 4) to provide course offerings and field experiences to assist students in developing recreation programs; 5) to provide a course of study that will prepare students for graduate schools that lead to a professional career; 6) to provide a vehicle for students taking courses in the Natural Sciences and Health and Recreation as a degree option and/or professional studies; and 7) to provide a vehicle for students taking courses in the Social Sciences Division to connect with the Emphasis in Recreation for Special Population and Gerontology Certificate. 

The Department provides three programs of study: l) Health and Physical Education; 2) Health and Recreation with an option to have an emphasis in Community Health; and 3) Health and Recreation AA. 

Expected Student Learning Outcomes

Health and Recreation Specific Requirements

Students seeking an AA in Health and Recreation must have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average or above in all major coursework. Students graduating with an AA in Health and Recreation are expected to gain knowledge and skills in theoretical and practical principles of school and community health and recreation programs, instructional methods and strategies providing leisure and socialized recreational activities for exceptional children, adolescents to aging adults, and develop leadership and administrative skills for managing health and recreation centers and programs. 

Curriculum Outcomes for Associate of Arts General Education Requirements

Curriculum Outcomes for Associate of Arts General Education Requirements  

Total: 30 hours


Curriculum Outcomes for Associate of Arts General Education Requirements


All students are required to take 36 credit hours of general education courses, as outlined below:

  • BIO 102 - World of Biology 3 Semester Hour(s)
  • BIO 103 - World of Biology Laboratory 1 Semester Hour(s)
  • ENG 101 - College Composition I 3 Semester Hour(s)
  • ENG 102 - College Composition II 3 Semester Hour(s)
  • ENG 201 - Introduction to World Literature 3 Semester Hour(s)
  • MAT 103 - College Algebra 3 Semester Hour(s)
  • MUS 101 - Introduction to Music 3 Semester Hour(s)
  • PHE 104 - Comprehensive Health 3 Semester Hour(s)
  • PHR 211 - Introduction to Health, Physical Education, and Recreation 3 Semester Hour(s)
  • SOC 111 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Semester Hour(s)
  • SPA 101 - Elementary Spanish I 3 Semester Hour(s)

​          or

  • FRE 101 - Elementary French I 3 Semester Hour(s)
  • SPE 101 - Effective Speaking 3 Semester Hour(s)
  • SSS 101 - Student Success Seminar 2 Semester Hour(s)

Critical Notes:


  • Some students may be advised or required to pass developmental, precollege, non-degree credit course based on their ACT score. Credits earned from developmental courses will not count toward hours required for graduation.
  • ENG 100, and MAT 091 are requirements for those students who demonstrate a need.
  • Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all required general education courses.
  • Students have the option to “test out” of modern languages at the elementary levels and earn credit toward graduation.

Total Program: 66 hours


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by Curriculum Division