Kinesiology
Kinesiology is a discipline that studies human movement. It addresses mechanical, psychological, and physiological mechanisms. Sport psychology, strength and conditioning, and exercise are all human health applications of kinesiology. At the university level, it can be offered as a small part of a larger degree program (such as physical therapy or sports medicine) or can be taken as a 4 year program. A degree in kinesiology leads to careers in the fitness industry, research, and clinical settings, while the highest paying jobs tend to be at hospitals or universities.
Program Information
Texas A&M University has a top kinesiology program, which has been consistently recognized as one of the country’s top programs. The University has outstanding facilities and faculty. There are four divisions in the department: Kinesiology, Health Education, Physical Education Activity Program, and Sport Management. It also offers three B.S. degrees: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (which prepares students for a wide range of careers); Bachelor of Science in Health (which develops informed professionals to make the world healthier); and the Bachelor of Science in Sport Management (which prepares students for a career as an administrator or manager at athletic or health clubs, or for entry level management positions in professional organizations and colleges). The University of Maryland also has an excellent kinesiology program. As of 2013, there are 800 undergraduates majoring in Kinesiology. The program is designed to provide a scholarly understanding of the body while focusing specifically on physical activity and human movement. Students will develop the necessary reasoning skills to extend and apply kinesiology knowledge to address problems that are relevant to the health and physical activity of diverse populations. A total of 120 credits are needed to meet the graduation requirements, which includes 27 credits that comprise the University’s CORE (which include Sport and American Society, History of Sport in America, and Psychology of Sport). Students are also required to take 8 credits of physical activity courses.
Pros & Cons
The kinesiology program can be a great program for a person who loves sports, science, and the human body. It is often a mixture of science classes and classes about sport (history of sport, psychology of sport, etc.). This is a big advantage for people who love sports. A career in kinesiology also provides you the chance to work with all kinds of people and help them develop their physical skills. You also get to be associated with the excitement of athletic competition. You can also work to help rehabilitate injured athletes, and seeing them recover fully can be very rewarding. The program can be difficult however, especially the science aspect. Depending on your career choice, you may have to work a long schedule and have to travel, and it can be very stressful at times. You also generally need to attend graduate school to specialize in a specific area, such as physical therapy.
Graduate School & Career
Many students who major in kinesiology attend graduate school to specify in a certain aspect of the field, such as physiotherapy. A degree in kinesiology could lead to a career as an athletic coach. They work in school settings or for amateur or professional sports teams. Coaches teach individuals or teams about the fundamentals of sport and help improve athletic performance. The degree could also lead to becoming a physical therapist – a graduate degree is usually required. Physical therapists diagnose and treat people for injuries or conditions that limit their participation in physical activities. Becoming an athletic trainer is another career option. Trainers help prevent sport injuries and treat them as they occur. They may work with individual athletes or on a training staff for an entire sports team.