Kinesiology

Faculty:
Beeler - Interim Chair, Bruggeman, Conklin, Cullers, Mitts & Vavra
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 with professional clubs and organizations at the departmental, state and national levels. The Department’s programs of study reflect guidelines from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), 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.

Physical Education

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.

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 Center
Community Health/Wellness
Corporate Wellness
Personal Training
Group Exercise/Fitness
Public Health
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Senior Center
Long-Term Care Center
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
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 495, 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. Courses required for such certification are offered at Missouri Southern. An alternative path to health certification is passing the Praxis Exam for Health Education (#5551).

Coaching

In the state of Missouri, head and assistant coaches in all sports must be certified teachers or administrators and be contracted by the Board of Education for the full school year as a full- or part-time teacher or administrator. The school board may also hire, as an assistant coach only, an individual who possesses a valid substitute or temporary authorization certificate, provided the school gives evidence that the position is required to maintain existence of the program and/or an adequate safety level, the coach completes an in-service training program and a copy of the current teaching certificate is on file at the school. For the coaching requirements of another state, students will need to contact the state’s governing agency. For students with an interest in coaching, we offer a number of related courses. These courses are not required and are considered electives.

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.

For additional information contact:
Dr. Sheri Beeler, Interim Department Chair
Young Gymnasium 215
417-625-9745
beeler-s@mssu.edu

Programs

Major

Courses

Kinesiology