Kinesiology (BS)

The Kinesiology Department is concerned with the total development of each individual student taking part in the kinesiology program. Of special concern is the development of an appreciation and respect for the human body as the earthly temple of God. Thus, becoming good stewards of this earthly temple is a major goal of the Department of Kinesiology. The goals of the physical activity requirement are twofold:

The student will participate in organized exercise to offset the amount of time that is necessarily sedentary due to sitting in the classroom or studying. Thus, the student will attain or maintain a minimum amount of fitness, and the student will have an outlet for stress.

The student will be exposed to physical activities that he/she will want to continue throughout life--as a social and emotional outlet and as a vehicle to fitness and total wellness.

The purpose of the Kinesiology Department is to develop the minds and bodies of men and women in preparing them to become servant leaders in teaching, coaching, and other health- and sports-related fields. The Department of Kinesiology under the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics offers a program leading to a major in kinesiology with a general kinesiology, exercise science, or sport performance concentration. The general kinesiology concentration gives the student the ability to create their own concentration by choosing four upper-level electives from a predetermined list. The exercise science concentration is recommended for those students who wish to pursue careers in many fitness, rehabilitation, or sport science-related professional contexts. The sport performance concentration is specifically built for students who are seeking an applied education in athletic performance development with courses providing sport and strength and conditional professionals with a comprehensive education in athlete development, safety, performance, and management.

The Department of Kinesiology also offers a Health Sciences Degree through the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics that is specifically designed for students who are focused on preparing for a pre-professional degree program in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, and chiropractic. This program, specifically through an identified area of concentration, will help students recognize and meet specific entrance requirements for health-related degree programs at the masters or doctoral level.

A degree in EC-12 Physical Education with teacher certification is also available to the kinesiology major through the College of Education. Certain general studies requirements differ for students seeking teacher certification due to state certification requirements. Therefore, those interested in teacher certification should contact and consult with the College of Education as it pertains to admittance into the Teacher Preparation Program.

The Department of Kinesiology also offers a major in sport management through the College of Education. This interdisciplinary degree is recommended for students who wish to pursue positions in a myriad of sport and sport-business-related careers. For more information on the sport management degree, contact the College of Education.

Students with temporary or permanent physical limitations should seek advisement from the Kinesiology Department on course selection during their first semester on campus or soon after the physical limitation occurs.