Kinesiology

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

www.temple.edu/chp/departments/kinesiology/index.html

The undergraduate program in Kinesiology leading to the Bachelor of Science degree requires students to complete coursework in three broad areas: the General Education (GenEd) Curriculum (for new freshmen) or the university Core Curriculum (for new transfer students), the Kinesiology Core, and a professional application of the discipline of Kinesiology.

The university General Education Curriculum is divided into nine categories (i.e., Analytical Reading & Writing, Mosaic I & II, Arts, Human Behavior, World Society, U.S. Society, Race & Diversity, Science & Technology, and Quantitative Literacy). 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 & Technology requirement. All University GenEd courses must be completed with a minimum C- grade in order to count toward graduation.

The university Core Curriculum is divided into ten categories (i.e., Intellectual Heritage, Composition and Writing, Individual & Society, International Studies/Foreign Language, Quantitative Reasoning, Arts, American Culture, Studies in Race, Science & 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 Kinesiology Department offers four professional application options to allow students to concentrate their studies (i.e., the athletic training major, the exercise and sport science program, the physical and health education teacher education (PHETE) program, and the pre-health professional studies program).  Students select the professional application option that satisfies their short term educational and professional objectives.

The Athletic Training Education Major prepares students to work with physically-active populations at all levels of competition. The certified 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 coursework and clinical fieldwork 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 Board of Certification (BOC) 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 freshmen 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.

Exercise scientists apply 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 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. Coursework 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 coursework; 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 graduation. All PHETE and Health courses are valid toward certification for a maximum of five (5) years.  If one does not get certified within this time period, those courses that have expired must be retaken.  A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater is required for admission into the junior year 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 upon submission of a completed Certification Application.

The Pre-Health Professions Program prepares students for admission into Graduate Programs in a multitude of the Health Professions such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Medicine, Dentistry, Physician's Assistant, etc. The Department of Kinesiology's Core is a perfect complement to the standard prerequisite courses and expanded elective courses available through this program. This combination of coursework and practical experience will position students well for continued study at the graduate level. While the Pre-Health Professions Program includes the standard prerequisite courses and the option for elective courses for admission into Graduate Programs for a multitude of Health Professions, students are advised to check the prerequisites for their intended graduate programs and work these into their programs where elective coursework 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.

University Requirements

All students are required to complete a set of university requirements: General Education (GenEd) or Core.

New freshman students starting in the 2008-2009 academic year are required to complete the GenEd curriculum.

New transfer students starting in the 2008-2009 academic year are required to complete the Core curriculum.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

All students must complete 1-4 below:

1. GenEd Curriculum (35-38 s.h.) for new freshman or University Core (39-52 s.h.) for new transfer students - Selected Courses
2. Kinesiology Core Courses - Kinesiology 1201, 2203, 2204, 3202, 3296, 4279 (20 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 and required courses in the selected professional application options must be completed with a minimum grade of C-. The PHETE program has a more stringent requirement of a minimum B- grade in all PHETE courses and required health courses.  The Kinesiology Core and program requirements must be satisfactorily completed prior to enrolling in any internship/externship or student teaching experience.

Professional Application Option Requirements

Students must select a professional application option and electives to complete their requirements for graduation. There are four professional application options available: (a) the athletic training major, (b) the exercise and sport science program, (c) the physical and health education teacher education (PHETE) program, and (d) the pre-health professional studies program.  They are more fully described below.

Kinesiology Foundation Requirements

Psychology 1061 (3 s.h.) - Psychology as a Social Science (required for core curriculum students only)
Kinesiology 1223 (4 s.h.) - Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Kinesiology 1224 (4 s.h.) - Human Anatomy & Physiology II

Kinesiology Departmental Requirements

Kinesiology 1201 (3 s.h.) - Introduction to Kinesiology  
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 (WI)
Kinesiology 4279 (3 s.h.) - History & Philosophy of Kinesiology (WI)

Physical Activity Requirement

Physical Fitness Activity
Lifestyle Activity
Survival Activity
Aquatics Activity

In Fall 2008, the Department of Kinesiology established the Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. This degree may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty upon the satisfactory completion of 124 semester hours of credit.  The other three professional application options require 128 semester hours of credit to satisfy their respective graduation requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training

Exercise & Sport Science

Physical & Health Education Teacher Education (PHETE)

Kinesiology Pre-Health Profession Program