KINESIOLOGY

Jude Hirsch, Chair and Professor
Professors: Barbara Funke, Sandra Gangstead, and James Lidstone
Associate Professors: Lisa Griffin and Mike Martino
Assistant Professors: Jeff Turner, Kirk Armstrong, Chris Black, and Will Hobbs
Lecturers: Mandy Jarriel and Liz Speelman

Department Contact Information:
Georgia College & State University
College of Health Sciences
Campus Box 65
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-445-4072
Kinesiology Department Web site
Chair, Jude Hirsch, jude.hirsch@gcsu.edu
Senior Secretary, Toyia Barnes, toyia.barnes@gcsu.edu

MISSION

The Department of Kinesiology is a learning community of caring, committed faculty and students dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service within the liberal arts tradition. Our innovative curricula focus on the interactions among human movement, personal growth, and wellness. Faculty and students work with diverse populations in a variety of settings in order to empower others to lead healthy lifestyles and to function more effectively in society.

ACCREDITATION

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC), and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) approve the M.A.T. in Physical Education (Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification, K-12). The B.S. in Outdoor Education and the M.Ed in Kinesiology: Outdoor Education Administration is accredited by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE). The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredits the B.S. in Athletic Training.

CAREER INFORMATION

Community Health and Human Services
Graduates from the Health Education: Community Health and Human Services program are qualified to work in the areas of (a) community health education, (b) clinical/patient education, or (c) corporate or workplace health education. Positions are available provided the individual is willing to relocate. Job prospects are enhanced by having a minor in a related field.

Exercise Science
Graduates from the B.S. in Health Education: Exercise Science are qualified for entry level and managerial positions in corporate, hospital, government, school and private health and fitness programs. Graduates will also be qualified to take several American College of Sports Medicine and National Strength and Conditioning Association certification examinations. Students will also be qualified to pursue graduate degrees in exercise science (both research and clinically based). Graduates will also have a sufficient knowledge base to be strong applicants for physical therapy, physician's assistant, and medical school.

Athletic Training
Graduates from the B.S. in Athletic Training program are qualified to sit for the Board of Certification exam. Opportunities exist for employment as certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) in high schools, colleges/universities, sports medicine clinics and rehabilitation centers, hospitals, wellness/fitness centers, or corporate/industrial settings.

Outdoor Education
Graduates from the B.S. in Outdoor Education are qualified for entry-level positions in recreation, education, corporate, and therapeutic organizations that use outdoor and adventure education to enhance their missions.  In addition to completing the major requirements, student career options are further enhanced by the requirement to select a specialization in therapeutic use of adventure, management, health & physical education, or environmental education. 

ADMISSION AND RETENTION

All undergraduate degree programs in the Department of Kinesiology are upper level programs. This means that students interested in majoring in Outdoor Education, Exercise Science, Community Health & Human Services, or Athletic Training should concentrate, during their freshman and sophomore years, on successfully completing Areas A, B, C, D and E of the core in addition to the appropriate Area F courses for the major of interest. Students are considered Pre-Majors until their applications for admission have been approved.

In the spring of the sophomore year, students interested in the Community Health and Human Services, Exercise Science, and Athletic Training programs may complete a formal application to the program of interest. Outdoor Education majors may complete a formal application in the fall of their junior year. Application to the minors in health education and physical education may be submitted any time before the student has completed 60 credit hours. Application forms are available on line. To be eligible for admission into a major program in the Department of Kinesiology, students must have satisfied the following criteria:

1. Passed both parts of the Regents' Exam
2. Completion of Areas A, B, C, D, E and F of the core by the end of the summer prior to entry into the program.
3. Grade Point Average of 2.5
4. Two letters of recommendation
5. Proof of professional liability insurance (outdoor education excluded)
6. Resume (Outdoor Education)
7. Personal interview (Athletic Training and Exercise Science)
8. Fitness test and background check (Outdoor Education)
9. Acknowledgement of Technical Standards (Athletic Training)
10. Acknowledgement of Outdoor Education Student Handbook (Outdoor Education)
11. Medical examination (Athletic Training)
12. Agreement to adhere to accredited policy, student expectations, or technical standards (Athletic Training and Outdoor Education)

Due to accreditation requirements, enrollment in some programs is restricted and admission into the programs is competitive. Meeting the above criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the program of interest.

Once accepted into the program students must obtain grades of C or better on all Area F, major and minor courses and maintain at least a 2.5 Grade Point Average. In the event that a student's GPA falls below 2.5, one semester will be given to bring it back up. If it remains below 2.5 after that time, the student will be exited from the program and will have to reapply once the GPA is at an acceptable level. Readmission into the program is not guaranteed.

Any student may be denied permission to continue enrollment in Department of Kinesiology programs if, in the opinion of the departmental faculty, and with approval of the Chair and Dean, the student's mental, emotional, and physical health or his/her personal and professional behavior cast reasonable doubts upon her/his potential capabilities as a member of the profession.

SERVICE LEARNING REQUIREMENT

All degree programs in the Department of Kinesiology require students to complete service learning projects in discipline-specific activities.

WELLNESS COURSES AND LIFETIME ACTIVITIES

The Department of Kinesiology is committed to the concept of holistic health. In keeping with that spirit, elective courses are offered which support the Liberal Arts mission of the institution and which provide the individual with the knowledge and skills to enable them to achieve optimal health. Courses offered include KINS 2303 - Personal Health and Fitness, and a broad range of Wellness courses that contribute to fitness and lifetime skills.

DEGREES AND MINORS OFFERED

1. Bachelor of Science with a major in Health Education with concentrations in:
   1. Community Health and Human Services
   2. Exercise Science: Pre-professional options in physical therapy and occupational therapy
2. Bachelor of Science with a major in Outdoor Education
3. Bachelor of Science with a major in Athletic Training
4. Minor in Health Education
5. Minor in Outdoor Education
6. Minor in Physical Education

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

For more information about undergraduate programs, career options, minors, application procedures, student organizations, and the Outdoor Center at Georgia College visit the Department of Kinesiology Web site.