Department of Kinesiology

Majors Athletic Training Exercise Science Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) K-12

Minors Athletic Coaching Physical Education (Non-teaching)

---

Description of Majors

Athletic Training (56 hours)

This major includes a rigorous academic program coupled with extensive clinical experiences under the supervision of certified athletic trainers. Students spend one year of directed observation before applying to the ATEP program. Students will achieve competence and skill in prevention, recognition, management, care, and rehabilitation of injuries in settings that include university and high school athletic teams, a rehabilitation clinic, physician offices, orthopedic surgery, and an emergency room.

Exercise Science (49 hours)

The Exercise Science major provides a mixture of laboratory courses and practical experiences preparing students to understand and apply scientific principles to human movement. Students prepare for careers in fitness training, wellness, adult fitness/cardiac rehab, strength and conditioning of athletes, clinical exercise physiology, and scientific research. Students are required to perform a minimum of 120 hours of practical experience through leadership in campus-based exercise and human performance testing, and an off-campus internship.

Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) K-12 (49 hours)

PETE prepares students to teach physical education to grades kindergarten through 12. Students experience a range of activity, pedagogy, and field-based courses to help them acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes to become effective physical educators in public or private schools. Students can take a cluster of health classes to add a health certification to their teaching license. To be eligible for teacher licensure, PETE students complete classes in both physical education and in education, including passing the Praxis exams. Modeling a physically active lifestyle and maintaining high levels of fitness are the marks of a serious PETE major.

Description of Minors

Athletic Coaching (15 hours)

The Athletic Coaching minor is a program for non-teaching majors who want to become a coach in a youth sport setting. This program combines sports theory classes, risk management, sport psychology and sport participation.

Physical Education (non-teaching) (16 hours)

The Physical Education minor is designed for persons who wish to supplement another major with a background in physical education. This program may be of interest to individuals who are planning to work in recreation or youth ministry positions.