Kinesiology and Health Science

Return to: Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Department Head: Eadric Bressel
Location: Health, Physical Education and Recreation 122A
Phone: (435) 797-7216
FAX: (435) 797-3759
E-mail: khs@usu.edu
WWW: cehs.usu.edu/khs

Graduate Program Coordinator:
Melissa Johnson, HPER 122J, (435) 797-1495, melissa.johnson@usu.edu

Undergraduate Academic Advisors:
Raquel Friddle, HPER 122D, khsadvising@usu.edu
Alice Kenley, HPER 122F, khsadvising@usu.edu
Jana Johnson, HPER 122G, khsadvising@usu.edu
For advising appointments, schedule online here: cehs.usu.edu/advising.

Undergraduate degrees offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Education and Promotion; BS in Kinesiology; BS in Recreation Administration

Undergraduate emphases/tracks: BS in Health Education and Promotion—Community Health and Health Science; BS in Kinesiology—Exercise Science, Pre-Physical Therapy, and Physical Education Teaching; BS in Recreation Administration - Sports Management, Public Recreation, Outdoor Adventure Leadership, and Program and Event Management

Undergraduate minors: Ourdoor Adventure Leadership; Parks & Recreation; Physical Education Coaching; Yoga Studies

Graduate degrees offered: Master of Science (MS) in Kinesiology; Master of Education (MEd) in Physical and Sport Education; Master of Fitness Promotion (MFP); Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Education and Promotion; Master of Sports Management (MSM)

Graduate specialization: MS—Exercise Science

Full details of the learning objectives, assessment plan, student outcomes and evidence of continuous improvement for these programs of study can be found at http://cehs.usu.edu/khs/assessment.

Academic Programs

Objectives

The Kinesiology and Health Science (KHS) Department at Utah State is committed to education and serving students and members of both local and extended communities in the fields of kinesiology, health science, and recreation administration. Our department works toward this goal as we prepare students for careers in their fields through both our undergraduate and graduate programs.

Within our department, there are four main classifications of our programs: kinesiology, health science, recreation administration, and activity.

Kinesiology is the study of mechanics of body movement. Students studying in disciplines in this area are able to pursue careers in exercise science, physical therapy, physical education, fitness centers, and other related careers. Health science focuses on the knowledge of health and the application of that knowledge to improve health. Recreation administration focuses on providing meaningful activities and programs to help improve the quality of life for those they serve. Our department also offers an extensive elective lifetime-skill activity course program available to all USU students.

Undergraduate Programs

The Kinesiology and Health Science Department offers undergraduate programs of study designed to prepare USU students for successful careers in one of three areas: Health Education and Promotion, Kinesiology, or Recreation Administration. Preparation is accomplished through well-rounded, rigorous course requirements.

Undergraduate Student Advising

Suggested semester-by-semester four-year plans for students working toward a bachelor’s degree are available through the Kinesiology and Health Science Department.

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual needs and interests.  Appointments to meet with an advisor can be made online through cehs.usu.edu/advising/.

Major requirement sheets, which provide detailed information about requirements for departmental majors, can be obtained from the department and through the KHS website cehs.usu.edu/khs/graduate/student-resources/tracking-sheets.

Activity Courses

USU students are served by an extensive elective lifetime-skill activity course program. The number and diversity of courses encourages students to increase their lifetime participation skills and enjoy opportunities, creativity, and expression. Students may also achieve and maintain a high level of personal fitness and adopt a proactive lifestyle conducive to health and well-being.

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program offers students in all colleges and majors the unique opportunity to deepen their educational experience with hands-on practical applications of their academic knowledge. The Honors Program admits incoming, transfer, and existing USU students based on application. High achieving students with at least one year remaining are encouraged to apply.  See the University Honors Program catalog entry and website (honors.usu.edu) for more information.

Graduate Programs

Students in the Kinesiology and Health Science Department are prepared to enter competitive professional fields by working with mentors to discover knowledge and deliver evidence-based research to rural areas of the state. The KHS department is home to a variety of disciplines and offers the following graduate degrees Master of Education (MEd) in Physical and Sport Education, Master of Fitness Promotion (MFP), Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Education and Promotion, Master of Science in Kinesiology (MS), and a Master of Sports Management (MSM).

Potential students are encouraged to visit the program pages on the KHS website for the program(s) they are interested in to learn more:cehs.usu.edu/khs/graduate/index.

Admissions

Students desiring to enroll in one of the graduate programs in the KHS department must be admitted to the Utah State University School of Graduate studies. As students start an application they will create a log-in that will allow them to come back in and complete their applications. The application has two parts, the initial application and the supplemental items. Students must complete the initial application and pay the application fee before you can access the supplemental materials. 

Each program has supplemental materials required specific to their program. These are listed in the application, but can also be reviewed through the KHS website: cehs.usu.edu/khs/graduate/index.

Graduate Student Advising

Students in the KHS department are advised by both the department graduate program coordinator (GPC) and their Major Professor (Faculty Advisor/Mentor). Both roles can and will help students to successfully fulfill program and graduation requirements and navigate through the process of getting a degree.

Graduate Assistantships

The KHS Department offers graduate assistantship (GA) opportunities for students based in Logan, Utah who have been accepted into one of the department’s graduate programs.

Students interested in these positions complete the GA application, submitted directly to the department. This is separate from the admissions application, submitted to the Graduate School. The deadline for both applications is March 1 to be considered for a GA position. Positions are awarded for the coming Fall and Spring semesters. Details about the GA application requirements can be accessed through the KHS website: https://cehs.usu.edu/khs/graduate/student-resources/grad-assistantships

Financial Support

To receive a scholarship, you must be a student with a major housed in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, pursuing course work each semester in your major field, and taking between 12-18 credits for an undergraduate and 9 credits for graduate each semester. Limited scholarships are available for part time students.

Scholarship applications typically open for the coming year in mid-December or early January. The application is at the USU General Scholarship Application. A helpful video about the application and common questions and answers are found on the USU scholarship page with the application.

In addition, students are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid by completing a FAFSA application each year. Many scholarships require the applicant to show financial need. Financial need must be shown through a FAFSA application which must be on record at the university. The process can often take a week or two, so please apply early. Apply online for the FAFSA.

For additional information students are encouraged to visit the Emma Eccles Jones College website: cehs.usu.edu/academics/scholarships/index.

Student Research and Engagement Opportunities

Research is the hallmark of a science degree (e.g., Bachelor of Science, Master of Science). Students interested in health, kinesiology, and recreation research are encouraged to assist faculty members with grant writing, data collection, data analysis, and report writing. Additionally, students can assist faculty members with submissions of scholarly presentations and articles.

Research areas include health promotion, health education, exercise science, corporate wellness, sport psychology, sport in society, biomechanics, neuromechanics, pedagogy, and other related fields. Research laboratories in the KHS department include the Biomechanics Lab, the Body Composition Lab, the Exercise Physiology Lab, the Kids in Motion Lab, the Neuromechanics Lab, the Neuromuscular Research Lab, the Perception-Action Lab, the Sensory Motor Behavior Lab, and the John Worley Sport Medicine Clinical Research Center. Students interested in being involved with one of these labs should contact the lab director: cehs.usu.edu/khs/labs/overview.

Research is not the only opportunity for students to participate, students also have the option to engage in internship experiences. The purpose of internship is for students to have the chance to observe professionals and gain experience in career areas of interest. Internships also provide hands-on, practical experience in which students can apply their knowledge in a real-world work setting, providing a benchmark for future careers.

Beyond the classroom students can engage in the department through participation in clubs and other activities planned and provided for students, cehs.usu.edu/khs/undergrad/clubs.

Additional Information

Additional information about the department, academic programs, faculty and instructors, and other information may be obtained from the Kinesiology and Health Science Department, or check the departmental home page at cehs.usu.edu/khs/index.

FACULTY - Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services  

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