Kinesiology

Rick Swalm, Undergraduate Coordinator
215-204-8713
rswalm@temple.edu

The undergraduate program in Kinesiology leading to the Bachelor of Science degree requires students to complete course work in three broad areas: the University Core Curriculum, the Kinesiology Core, and a professional application of the discipline of Kinesiology.

The University Core Curriculum is divided into ten categories (i.e., intellectual heritage, composition and writing, individual and society, foreign language/international studies, quantitative analysis, arts, American culture, studies in race, science and technology, and library orientation). Even though there are numerous courses which can be taken to meet these requirements, the department requires Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (Kinesiology 1223 and 1224) for the science and technology requirement and Psychology as a Social Science (Psychology 1061) for the individual and society requirement. All University Core courses must be completed with a minimum C- grade in order to count toward graduation.

Kinesiology is the study of physical activity.  The Kinesiology Core includes a group of foundation courses (Kinesiology 1201, 1202, 2203, 2204, 3202, 3296, 4279) that deal with the intellectual, physical, social, psychological, and philosophical factors which influence and are influenced by human beings as they move. In addition to taking the foundation courses, students are required to satisfy the forms of movement requirement, which consists of developing knowledge and skills in a broad spectrum of movement activities (i.e., aquatics, fitness, survival, and lifestyle).

The professional application programs allow students to concentrate their studies in one of four areas (i.e., athletic training, exercise and sport science, teacher education (PHETE), and pre-health professional studies). Students select the program that satisfies their short term educational and professional objectives.

The Undergraduate Athletic Training Program prepares students to work with physically active populations at all levels of competition. The athletic trainer functions as an integral member of the athletic health care team in secondary schools, colleges, universities, professional teams, and sports medicine clinics, providing leadership in the prevention, evaluation, immediate care, and rehabilitation of sport-related injuries. The athletic training program requires fulfillment of both academic course work and clinical field work experiences. This program of study is approved by the Commission on the Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and is designed to prepare students for certification as athletic trainers by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and for Class "A" certification in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Admission into the athletic training program occurs upon students identifying athletic training as their intended course of study. This admission may take place either during the sophomore year or any time afterward.

The Exercise and Sport Science Program provides students with knowledge and competencies required for professional service in a variety of sport, fitness, wellness and rehabilitation settings.  The Exercise and Sport Science Program also prepares students for graduate study in exercise physiology or in a variety of related health professions. Program competencies include health screening, fitness assessment, exercise program development, health-fitness counseling, and therapeutic exercise supervision of patients with special needs.  Concentration courses include, but are not limited to: advanced exercise physiology, exercise in health and disease, exercise testing and programming, electrocardiography, exercise and aging, and applied technology.  The exercise and sport scientist understands the complexity of the human body and the interaction among physical activity, exercise and good health. The improved function, health, and well being of the total person - Body, Mind, and Spirit - are the ultimate goals of professionals in this field.

The exercise scientist applies their knowledge, skills, and beliefs to all people regardless of gender, age, social status, and current health-related fitness level or disease state. Wherever there is a need to improve functionality, health-fitness, medical prognosis, optimal aging, or wellness, one will find an exercise scientist providing leadership in programs that help individuals optimize their lives and health. In summary, exercise science is a stimulating area of study and a rewarding professional application with a very bright future.

The Department of Kinesiology offers two programs in Exercise and Sport Science at the undergraduate level. They are:

Option I - Exercise and Sport Science-Health/Wellness
Option II - Exercise and Sport Science-Health/Wellness/Pre-Professional

Teacher education is the focus of the undergraduate Physical and Health Education Teacher Education (PHETE) program. This concentration prepares students to teach physical and health education in public and private schools (grades K through 12). The PHETE program integrates academic preparation with fieldwork experiences each semester, culminating in a dual level (secondary and elementary) full semester, student teaching experience. Course work in discipline specific content, methods of teaching, assessment and evaluation, educational psychology, educational foundations, cultural diversity and adapted activities, and administration all help teacher education students assume their roles as competent teachers in today's society. Admission into the PHETE program takes place after the sophomore year upon completing the pre-admission course work; two in-school teaching experiences; the Pre-Professional Skills Tests in reading, mathematics, writing; and the Praxis test in fundamental content knowledge, as well as an interview with the PHETE faculty. All PHETE and Public Health courses must be completed with a minimum B- grade in order to count toward certification. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater is required for admission and certification. After admission, one additional Praxis test is required for certification: Heath and Physical Education Content Knowledge. Upon completion of the program, and after passing the appropriate standardized tests, graduates will be licensed to teach by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Kinesiology Pre-Health Professional Program

The Department of Kinesiology offers a general studies program that includes the Kinesiology Core and an expanded Liberal Arts and Sciences base under the option Pre-Health Professional Program. This combination of course work and practical experience gained by volunteer work will position the student for continued study at the graduate level in a variety of health professions, including occupational therapy and physical therapy.  The program includes the standard prerequisite courses for occupational and physical therapy, but students are advised to check the prerequisites for their intended graduate program and work these into their program where elective course work is afforded.  Students are also advised to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) since entry into graduate programs in the health professions is highly competitive. A "B" or better in the specific prerequisites is required for most graduate programs.  

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

All students must complete 1-4 below:

1. University Core Curriculum - Selected Courses (35-40 s.h.)
2. Kinesiology Core Courses - Kinesiology 1201, 1202, 2203, 2204, 3202, 3296, 4279 (22 s.h.)
3. Forms of Movement Courses - Kinesiology 1001-1099 (4-8 s.h.)
4. Program specific requirements and elective courses (60-70 s.h.)

Note: All courses in the Department of Kinesiology must be completed with a minimum grade of C-. The Kinesiology Core and program requirements must be satisfactorily completed prior to enrolling in any internship/externship or student teaching experience.

Professional Option Requirements

Students may select a professional application program and electives to complete the 128 semester hours required for graduation. There are four options: I. Athletic Training; II. Exercise and Sport Science; III. Physical and Health Education Teacher Education (PHETE); and IV. Kinesiology Pre-Health Professional Program.  They are more fully described below.

Kinesiology Foundation Requirements

Psychology 1061 (3 s.h.) - Psychology as a Social Science
Kinesiology 1223 (4 s.h.) - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Kinesiology 1224 (4 s.h.) - Human Anatomy and Physiology II

Mathematics 1011 (3 s.h.) - College Mathematics (Take MATH 1011 or higher, depending on program requirements)

Kinesiology Departmental Requirements

Kinesiology 1201 (3 s.h.) - Introduction to Kinesiology
Kinesiology 1202 (2 s.h.) - Concepts in Health-Related Fitness 
Kinesiology 2203 (4 s.h.) - Physiology of Physical Activity
Kinesiology 2204 (3 s.h.) - Motor Behavior

Kinesiology 3202 (4 s.h.) - Biomechanics of Physical Activity
Kinesiology 3296 (3 s.h.) - Social & Psychological Aspects of Physical Activity
Kinesiology 4279 (3 s.h.) - History and Philosophy of Kinesiology

Physical Activity Requirement

Physical Fitness Activity (Kinesiology 1202)
Lifestyle Activity
Survival Activity
Aquatics Activity
Elective Activity

Physical and Health Education Teacher Education (PHETE)

Athletic Training

Kinesiology Pre-Health Profession Program

Exercise and Sport Science