It is a distinct pleasure to welcome all to the UNCW School of Health and Applied Human Sciences (SHAHS). The School's main office is located in Veterans Hall with faculty offices in the Trask Coliseum and in McNeill Hall. My office is located in Veterans Hall 2509-A and I encourage you to stop by and learn more about our programs and projects.
If you cannot make it to our beautiful campus, then I hope that our website can help you acquire the information that you are seeking. Navigate the subsections on the left-hand side of the page to learn more about our vision/mission/values, academic degree programs, faculty and staff, and community partnerships.
Our History
The SHAHS has a long history at UNCW. Founded as the Department of Physical Education in 1965 with five faculty members, it has undergone several name changes and now has 45 full-time faculty members and more than 1,400 students majoring in our undergraduate- and graduate-degree programs.
The SHAHS is one of three schools, along with the School of Nursing and the School of Social Work in the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). The overarching goal of the CHHS is to help individuals, families and communities live healthier, more prosperous and more productive lives.
Our Programs
The SHAHS has six undergraduate-degree programs: Exercise Science; Healthful Living and Fitness Education; Public Health; Tourism, Recreation, and Sport; Recreation Therapy and Respiratory Therapy. The SHAHS also has graduate-degree programs in Athletic Training, Gerontology, Healthcare Administration, and supports a Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) and a Masters of Education concentration in Physical Education and Health (M.Ed.) through the Watson College of Education.
Each of these degree programs focuses on helping others find enjoyment and satisfaction in their lives regardless of age or ability. SHAHS’ faculty are passionate and caring teacher/scholars who are committed to engaging students in real-world issues at the individual, family and community levels.
Our Student-First Approach
It is the faculty and staff of the SHAHS that make this a very special place. I first experienced that as an undergraduate-international student here in 1992. Despite our rapid growth and addition of degree programs in the past 25 years, we have maintained a student-first approach and dedication to teaching excellence and student learning. Our classes and degree programs are characterized by engaged-learning experiences and applied-learning opportunities, including semester-long internships.
Every day, I have the pleasure of walking the hallways of our buildings, where I stop to listen to our amazing faculty engaging our talented students in positive, active-learning environments. I truly believe that my colleagues in the SHAHS are the best teachers in their fields, in the country!
In Closing
Please contact me if you would like to discuss our degree programs. Whether you are an alumni of our school or a prospective student, I would like to talk to you about our programs and projects. Better yet, please visit us and see firsthand what a vibrant learning organization we are!
