Departments & Centers

Kinesiology

Areas of Specialization

The Department of Kinesiology offers both undergraduate and graduate curricula. The Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training degree is offered as well as the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree with concentrations in dance, exercise science, fitness specialist, sport communication, sport marketing and management, and physical education (K-12 teacher certification). Programs offered by the Department of Kinesiology are interdisciplinary, providing course work and appropriate practicum experiences that are excellent preparation for specific careers or for preprofessional and graduate school opportunities.

  • Athletic training prepares the student to sit for the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification (NATABOC) examination. Additionally, the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
  • Dance strengthens and refines contemporary dance technique as well as provides scholarly inquiry into the history, science, and aesthetics of dance. The dance major provides disciplined dance training and a strong academic and theoretical core, which is essential to producing wholly integrated artists and successful dance professionals.
  • Exercise science prepares students for graduate-level education in areas such as adapted physical education, biomechanics, ergonomics, exercise physiology, and motor learning/control. In addition, programs prepare students for entry into professional/graduate programs in areas such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, physician's assistant, dentistry, chiropractic, and other allied health fields.
  • Fitness specialist prepares students to work in the fitness industry. In addition, students are prepared to sit for the following three certification examinations: 1) American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health Fitness Instructor; 2) American Council of Exercise (ACE) Group Exercise; and 3) CE Personal Training.
  • Sport communication students may choose either print or broadcast concentrations with course work in journalism or telecommunications.
  • Sport marketing and management prepares students for lower management jobs in the sport industry. Students are also prepared for movement into advanced degree programs in sport management. Sport marketing and management majors complete a comprehensive professional core of sport courses and complement this course work with an intensive core of business courses. The Kelley School of Business minor may be earned in the process of completing the sport marketing and management major.
  • Teacher preparation-all grade is an undergraduate curriculum that combines courses in teaching methodology and the human movement sciences. Professional and technical instruction is provided for teaching various sports, dance, and fitness activities commonly taught in the elementary and secondary schools. This preparation is based on and intertwined with appropriate theoretical models and best practices that lead to all-grade (K-12) licensing in the state of Indiana.

Graduate curricula in the Dr. John M. Cooper Graduate Program in Kinesiology (Cooper Graduate Program) lead to the degrees Master of Science in Kinesiology and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in human performance. A variety of emphasis areas are available for graduate degree candidates, including adapted physical education, applied sport science, athletic training, human performance, ergonomics, sport management, and physical activity, fitness and wellness. The Ph.D. program in human performance emphasizes adapted physical education, biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor learning/control, and sport management. The department operates human performance research laboratories in these areas.

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