Leading toward a healthier tomorrow by cultivating confident and competent health, fitness, and recreation professionals who enhance the health and well-being of people and communities.
health, physical education, and recreation
Welcome to the Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation (HPER), the most active department on UAA’s campus. HPER is committed to excellence in offering courses related to physiology, biomechanics, and motor control/development. Our professional programs prepare students for leadership roles in health and fitness, physical education, kinesiology, and recreation fields. Our recreational courses offer the opportunity to learn new skills, reduce stress, meet people, and stay active.
Taking courses toward the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, students will explore principles of physical activity, exercise science, recreation and wellness. Courses focus on leadership development, research-based practices, and experiential learning through community engagement. The program is recognized as a gold-level campus for Exercise is Medicine by the American College of Sports Medicine, and the practicum and internship experiences increase the ability to compete for jobs in growing fields such as therapeutic recreation, exercise science, and wellness.
Two minors are available to help you personalize your education based on your interests and career goals: Minor in Athletic Training and Minor in Outdoor Leadership.
In addition to offering two minors, the Department of HPER also offers a concentration in therapeutic recreation for students who wish to pursue a career as a recreational therapist with the necessary courses and experiences. At its core, therapeutic recreation is a healthcare field focused on improving the quality of life for people who may have experienced a significant or life-changing injury, or who may be living with a disability that changes the way they are able to participate in leisure and recreation. The concentration in therapeutic recreation includes specific psychology courses, anatomy and physiology, and six courses specific to therapeutic recreation; all of which fit within the BS in Kinesiology degree requirements.
You will find that the Department of HPER is a very exciting department offering a wealth of challenging and exciting learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
WHY CHOOSE health, physical education, and recreation AT UAA?
Designated “community-engaged” learning courses provide unique opportunities to get involved in the community and industry.
Conduct exercise tests for students, teams, employees, and the community in the Human Performance Lab.
Faculty advisors are available to help you stay on track to earn your degree and achieve your career goals.
The BS in Kinesiology is recognized as a National Strength and Conditioning Association education program.
NEWS & Stories
Division of Population Health Sciences Associate Professor Dr. Britteny Howell recently published two new studies that investigates the relationship between aging and mental health. Her research seeks to explore gaps in existing literature about how the experience of aging is shape by factors like social context, culture, activities, beliefs, environment, and more.
In January 2026, students from the College of Health showcased their public health research at the Alaska Public Health Association Summit’s annual poster session. Their projects spanned topics ranging from food security to environmental contamination, contributing valuable insights that help shape the evolving conversation around Alaska’s public health landscape.
Dr. Corrie Whitmore, an associate professor in the Division of Population Health Sciences, and her team at UAA’s Center for Behavioral Health Research and Services are celebrating the recent publication of a new article. The paper, which was published in the Dec. 2025 issue of Nursing for Women’s Health, offers a framework and actionable strategies for nurses to improve communication and patient experience in discussions around substance use and contraception.
School of Social Work Assistant Professor Amana Mbise and ISER Research Assistant Professor Nathan West are exploring the relationships that Black barbershops play in men's health. Their community-based research prioritizes the lived experiences of the men they talk to, and is revealing how barbershops function not just as grooming spaces, but as social and cultural hubs.
Philippe Amstislavski, a scientist with a passion for sustainable innovation, is pioneering the use of mycelium insulation to help Alaska’s remote communities combat extreme cold and climate change.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Contact Us
Phone: (907) 786-4346
Email: hper@alaska.edu
UAA Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
Professional Studies Building
2533 Providence Drive, PSB 146
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Mailing Address
UAA Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
3211 Providence Drive, PSB 146
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
