KINESIOLOGY

Lisa Griffin, Chair
Professors: Barbara Funke, Sandra Gangstead, and James Lidstone
Associate Professors: Lisa Griffin, Mike Martino
Assistant Professors: Kirk Armstrong, Scott Butler, Heidi Fowler, and Kelly Manning
Lecturers: Mandy Jarriel
Pre-Major Advisor: Allison Everett

Department Contact Information:
Georgia College
College of Health Sciences
Campus Box 112
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Kinesiology Department Web site
Interim Chair, Lisa Griffin, lisa.griffin@gcsu.edu
Administrative Assistant, 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 Kinesiology/Physical Education (Teacher Certification, K-12). 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 Community Health & Human Services are prepared to promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. They assist individuals in adopting healthy behaviors and they work with communities to plan, implement, administer, and evaluate programs that will help encourage healthy lifestyles, policies and environments. They may also serve as a resource person and communicate and advocate for health and health education. Potential employment settings include community organizations; local, state, federal, and international Government agencies; colleges and universities; business and industry; and health care settings. Voluntary credentialing as a Certified Health Education Specialist is available from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). Students will have a strong background in health education and will be excellent candidates for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Kinesiology/Physical Education graduate degree or a Master’s degree in Health Promotion or Public Health after graduation.

Exercise Science
Graduates in 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 human performance (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 in Athletic Training are qualified to sit for the National 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.

ADMISSION AND RETENTION

Undergraduate degree programs in the Department of Kinesiology are competitive and rigorous. Students may declare a major in Exercise Science or Community Health and Human Services at any point (typically freshman year), but both programs are very demanding. In order to remain in the program, students will have to achieve and maintain a GPA of 2.5-2.75 as well as uphold the highest of professional work ethics. Students seeking Athletic Training degrees will be considered pre-majors until applications for admission have been approved. All students in Kinesiology programs should concentrate, during their freshman and sophomore years, on successfully completing general education core Areas A,B,C,D and E and appropriate Area F courses for the major of interest. Many agencies where clinical and practical experiences take place require students to undergo a criminal background check, urine drug screens and to meet the CDC standards for immunizations for health care professionals. Students desiring to enter such programs should consider these requirements. Agencies may refuse any student based on inability to meet these guidelines or other agency guidelines. Refusal of an agency to accept a student may delay or prevent a student from completing a program. Certification agencies may also refuse to license individuals who have committed certain criminal acts or other acts of moral turpitude.

In the spring of the sophomore year, students interested in the Athletic Training program complete a formal application (available on line). To be eligible for admission into Athletic Training in the Department of Kinesiology, students must have satisfied the following criteria:

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.
Grade Point Average of 2.75
Two letters of recommendation
Proof of professional liability insurance
Personal interview
Acknowledgement of Technical Standards
Medical examination
Agreement to adhere to accredited policy, student expectations, or technical standards

Students must obtain grades of C or better on all Area F, major and minor courses and maintain at least a 2.75 GPA. In the event that a student’s GPA falls below 2.75, one semester will be given to bring it back up. If it remains below 2.75 after that time, the student will be exited from the program and will have to re-apply once the GPA is at an acceptable level. Readmission into the program is not guaranteed.

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 this commitment, elective courses are offered which support the Liberal Arts mission of the institution and 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

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 allied health fields such as physical therapy and occupational therapy are offered in conjunction with this major)
Bachelor of Science with a major in Athletic Training
Minor in Health Education
Minor in Physical Education
1. Application to the minors in health education and physical education may be submitted any time before the student has completed 60 credit hours.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

For more information about undergraduate programs, career options, minors, application procedures, student organizations, visit the Department of Kinesiology Web site.