Kinesiology

Faculty:
Beeler - Chair, Beck, Bruggeman, Cullers, Schiding, Smith and Trout
Robert E. Young Gymnasium • 417-625-9316

Mission

The Department of Kinesiology supports the Missouri Southern State University mission to offer a liberal arts baccalaureate program that fosters the total education of each student. The department emphasizes quality teaching and academic advising, while promoting dedicated community and university service. The curriculum prepares future professionals to be successful at promoting healthy, active lifestyles in a global society.

The Kinesiology Department offers two degrees: the Bachelor of Science in Education degree (BSE) with a major in Physical Education K-12 and the Bachelor of Science degree (BS) with a major in Health Promotion and Wellness.

Candidates in the Department of Kinesiology are strongly encouraged to become involved in the profession through professional development, professional clubs and organizations, leadership opportunities and service. The Department’s programs of study reflect guidelines from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the Society of Health and Physical Education (SHAPE America), Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Red Cross and requirements from the School of Education at Missouri Southern State University. Students studying in the Department of Kinesiology must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in all required courses with a KINE, BIO, EDUC or PSY prefix.

Advisement

The Department of Kinesiology assigns academic advisors to candidates following admission to the University. Those without an assigned Kinesiology advisor, but who have declared a major in the Kinesiology Department, should contact the Department Chair or administrative assistant for an advisor. Academic advising is a collaborative relationship between the student and academic advisor. The academic advisor facilitates and outlines the steps for achievement of the students’ personal, academic and career goals and encourages student access to a variety of resources and services available on the MSSU campus. The advisor/student partnership requires participation and involvement of both the advisor and the student; however, meeting the degree requirements is ultimately the responsibility of the student.

Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE)

Students who desire certification as a teacher of physical education will become qualified at both the elementary and secondary level (K-12). Physical Education K-12 majors should refer to Missouri Southern’s Teacher Education program. . In order to graduate from the Teacher Education Program, the candidate must successfully complete the exit requirements, in addition to all other academic requirements of the University. The candidate must pass the Missouri Content Assessment Exam (MoCA) in K-12 physical education, maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the teaching specialty area and in DESE approved coursework. Additional department/content requirements may apply.

All Teacher Education programs have been approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Health Promotion and Wellness

Graduates in this major will be prepared to promote life-style strategies to prevent illness and improve quality of life. Students seeking the health promotion and wellness degree must choose a clinical or non-clinical track and will actively participate in an internship experience in their final semester. Upon completion of the program, graduates may seek professional opportunities in a wide variety of areas including, but not limited to:

Fitness/Wellness Industry
Population Health
Athletic Coaching
Fitness and Sport Management
Registered Dietician (RD) or Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN)
Community Health/Wellness
Corporate Wellness
Personal Training
Group Exercise/Fitness
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Public Health
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Senior Center
Long-Term Care Center
Physical Therapy or Physical Therapy Assistant
Occupational Therapy or Occupational Therapy Assistant
Chiropractic Care
Physician Assistant
Athletic Training
Exercise Physiology
Youth/Sport Camps
Fitness/Medical Sales

Note: Several career options require additional schooling and/or certifications.

Students who wish to pursue the degree in Health Promotion and Wellness must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all university course work prior to admission into KINE 0491 - Internship in Wellness .

Additional Interest Areas:

Health

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) identifies Health as a certification area. To teach health in the State of Missouri, one must be certified to teach in Missouri and pass the Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) #041. Courses related to health education content and teaching methods are offered at Missouri Southern.

Coaching

There is a high demand for quality athletic coaches, both interscholastic and youth coaches, as well as a demand for quality game officials. The coaching certification program, offered by the Kinesiology Department, is designed to improve the coaching effectiveness and efficiency of both educators and non-educators interested in athletic coaching. The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) provides the requirements for Missouri interscholastic coaches in the MSHSAA Official Handbook, Section 3: Athletics By-Laws http://www.mshsaa.org/resources/pdf/Official%20Handbook.pdf. In the state of Missouri, coaching levels and minimum requirements are outlined for the Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Student Teacher and Hardship Coach. For the coaching requirements of another state, students will need to contact the state’s governing agency. For students with an interest in athletic coaching, the Kinesiology Department offers a 21-hour Coaching Certificate to strengthen the student’s career preparation. Certificates may be earned independently from a degree.

Population Health

Healthcare is moving from a treatment model to a model of prevention. Prevention is more economical than treatment based healthcare. Population health is a relatively new term, often described using the Kindig and Stoddart (2003) definition as “an approach that focuses on interrelated conditions and factors that influence the health of populations over the life course, identifies systematic variations in their pattern of occurrence, and applies the resulting knowledge to develop and implement policies and actions to improve the health and well-being of those populations.” The Kinesiology Department offers a 17-19 hour Population Health Certificate to strengthen the student’s career preparation. Certificates may be earned independently from a degree.

Athletic Training

To become a certified athletic trainer, one must pass the National Athletic Training Examination. Only persons with a degree in Athletic Training are eligible to take the exam. Missouri Southern does not offer a degree in Athletic Training; however, for students who desire to pursue athletic training at the graduate school level, we do offer a number of related courses, as well as opportunities for “hands on” learning.

Student Organization

Kinesiology Club (K-Club) is a registered student organization (RSO), open to all students who are interested in promoting healthy, active lifestyles in a global society. The club provides additional opportunities for leadership, professional learning and career preparation. K-Club sponsors a wide variety of social, service and professional learning events each semester.

For additional information contact:
Dr. Sheri Beeler, Department Chair
Young Gymnasium 215
417-625-9544
beeler-s@mssu.edu

Programs

Major Programs (Undergraduate)

Health Promotion and Wellness Major, Kinesiology Dept., BS, KI00

Certificates (Undergraduate)

Teacher Education Programs

Physical Education Major, Grades K-12, BSE

Courses

Kinesiology