The kinesiology degree at USU provides three different options for students who wish to pursue careers in exercise science, physical therapy, or physical education. In all of these areas, students study the psychological, neurophysiological, and biomechanical/biophysical aspects of human movement.Through mentoring, students are given the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research. The department collaborates with state health programs, parks and recreation programs, and local and regional school districts to provide students with opportunities for hands-on experience and professional training.
Many graduates from the program are accepted into advanced degree programs in physical and occupational therapy or are admitted to medical schools.
Emphases:
- Exercise Science: The exercise science emphasis is science-based and focuses on the integration of anatomical, psychological, biomechanical, and physiological principles related to human movement, exercise, and rehabilitation. Many students complete the exercise science emphasis in order to build a strong foundation prior to pursuing graduate study in exercise science fields or health professions, such as medical school, dentistry, or chiropractics.
- Physical Education Teaching: This emphasis prepares students to teach or coach physical education activities in grades K-12.
- Pre-Physical Therapy: The pre-physical therapy emphasis is designed to prepare students to enter into a graduate degree program in physical therapy. Physical therapists help people who have limited abilities to move and perform functional activities. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sport and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes.
Education Component:
This is for the physical education teaching emphasis only. As part of the major requirements, students in the physical education teaching emphasis take courses that qualify them for licensure at the elementary level. In order to obtain a secondary teaching license for grades 6-12, students must complete the 35-credit Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP), which includes one semester of student teaching in a public school. This program is administered by USUs School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. Student must apply to the School of TEAL the semester before taking STEP courses. This is usually the fall of their junior year. Students learn subject content through the HPER Department, and spend the last year or two studying education techniques through the STEP program.
Students in the physical education teaching program are required to select an approved teaching minor in order to expand their career options.