Greetings, 

Welcome to the SIUC Department of Health Education and Recreation home page. Our department is nationally recognized for its programs in both health education and recreation. We offer five degrees: the Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. in health education, and the Bachelor's and Master's in recreation. 

Students enrolled in the SIUC Department of Health Education and Recreation are able to work with faculty members known nationally for their expertise in teaching, research, and professional service.  All of our faculty members take great pride in their commitment to working with undergraduate and graduate students.  As a student in our program, you will not only work with our faculty in the classroom, but will receive guidance and support from them in internships, field experiences, and job placement.  Our department has an extensive network of alums across the country who recognize the professional expertise of our graduates. 

Those who receive graduate assistantships in health education have an opportunity to teach in our introductory health education course. In recreation, graduate assistants provide additional opportunities for field experiences and applied assignments. 

The Department also sponsors two student organizations: Alpha Alpha Chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, a national health science honorary and the Student Recreation Society, the student organization for recreation majors. Both organizations have their own home pages which can be accessed through our website. Student involvement in one's chosen field is important.  If you choose Southern Illinois University, I recommend that you become active in one of these outstanding organizations. 

I encourage you to take time and browse our departmental web pages for program and application information, as well as SalukiNet and othr SIU pages to learn more about our great facilities (i.e., Student Recreation Center, Touch of Nature Environmental Center), and programs (i.e., Rolling Salukis Wheelchair Basketball Program, Wellness Center), and the community (i.e., Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge, Shawnee National Forest), and much, much more. 

We always have time to communicate with anyone interested in our program.  If you have questions or would like further information, feel free to contact me by telephone at (618) 453-4331 or through e-mail at  dabirch@siu.edu.

Sincerely, 

David A. Birch, Ph.D. 
Professor and Chair