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Our mission
We advance knowledge of health, human physiology, sport, and recreation through teaching, practice, research, and service to impact the health and well-being of people of the State of Iowa and beyond.
Evolution of the department
- 1900
The Department of Physical Culture is established.
- 1924
The Department of Physical Culture becomes two departments: the Department of Physical Education for Men, and the Department of Physical Education for Women.
The women's physical education program became a pioneer in the development of graduate study and professional training. Elizabeth Halsey headed the department from 1924-1955. M. Gladys Scott, who received the first PhD in women's physical education from the University of Iowa in 1937, succeeded Halsey as department chair from 1955-1974.
- 1976
The Department of Physical Education for Men splits into the Department of Physical Education–Field House and the Recreation Education Program, while the Department of Physical Education for Women becomes the Department of Physical Education and Dance.
- 1987
The Division of Physical Education is established, housing the departments of Exercise Science, Leisure Studies, and Physical Education and Sports Studies.
- 1993
The division becomes the Department of Exercise Science and the Department of Sport, Health, Leisure, and Physical Studies.
- 2001
The Department of Exercise Science becomes the Department of Integrative Physiology.
The Department of Sport, Health, Leisure, and Physical Studies becomes the Department of Health and Sport Studies and the Program in Leisure Studies (as part of Interdisciplinary Studies).
- 2010
The programs and majors are merged to form the Department of Health and Human Physiology, with majors including the Health and Human Physiology BA, the Human Physiology BS, the Sport and Recreation Management BS, the Therapeutic Recreation BS, and Athletic Training BS, as well as master's programs in Sport and Recreation Management (MS), MS without thesis (HHP), MS with thesis (HHP), and PhD (HHP).
2021
Majors in HHP include the Health and Human Physiology BA, the Human Physiology BS, the Sport and Recreation Management BS, the Therapeutic Recreation BS, as well as master's programs in Sport and Recreation Management (MS), MS without thesis (HHP), MS with thesis (HHP), and PhD (HHP).