Department of Health & Kinesiology

Location: 101 Health & Human Performance Complex A, Phone: 409.880.2226

Chair: Charles Nix

Degree Coordinators:

Exercise Science: Dan Chilek, 409.880.8090, Email, HHPA 106A
Health: Israel Msengi, 409.880.8716, Email, HHPA 207
Kinesiology: Lorraine Killion, 409.880.7748, Email, HHPA 209

M.S. in Health Promotion: Barbara Hernandez, 409.880.7725, Email, HHPA 218

M.S. in Kinesiology: Doug Boatwright, 409.880.8700, Email, HHPA 106D

Faculty

Professor: Joel Barton, Doug Boatwright, Rick Carter, Barbara Hernandez Associate Professor: Charles Nix, George Strickland Assistant Professor: Mihae Bae, Dan Chilek, Lorraine Killion, Yunsuk Koh, Julio Morales, Israel Msengi

The Department of Health and Kinesiology provides several career options for students. Two teacher education certification programs are offered: Health and Kinesiology. Two programs of study in Exercise Science and Fitness Management and in community health are available for careers in public and private agencies. Undergraduate programs lead to a Bachelor of Science degree in Health or Kinesiology and the graduate programs in Health or Kinesiology lead to a Master of Science degree.

All university students are required to complete a minimum of 1 credit hour of physical education general activity (PEGA) in order to satisfy the university core curriculum requirements. Note: KINA classes will not satisfy the university physical education general activity program credit hour requirement. The physical education general activity program is designed to develop life-long activity skills, as well as enhance the general education objectives of the university.

Degrees Offered

Health and Kinesiology Degree Plans

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (Teacher Certification) -123 hrs
Bachelor of Science in Health (Teacher Certification) -124 hrs
Bachelor of Science in Health (Non-Certification Community Health) -122 hrs
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science & Fitness Management -120 hrs

Graduate

Master of Science in Health Promotion -30 hrs. Thesis option or 36 hrs. non-thesis option Master of Science in Kinesiology -30 hrs. Thesis option or 36 hrs. non-thesis option

Health

The health program of study offers two options for a career in health education. The Health Teacher Education Program leads to certification to teach EC-12 Health plus an approved additional teaching field at the secondary level. The Community Health program is a non-teacher certification program that prepares students for a career in public, government, non-profit and private health agencies. A student must have completed the General Education Requirements including English, Math, Biology, Political Science and History General Education Requirements prior to enrolling in the 3000 and 4000 level health professional courses. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in each of the health professional courses. There are prerequisites for most 3000 and 4000 level health professional courses. Students in the non-certification program are required to complete an internship while student teaching is required in the certification program.

Kinesiology

The Kinesiology program of study prepares the student for a teaching career in Kinesiology. The Kinesiology teacher education program leads to EC-12 Physical Education Certification. The course of study leading to a baccalaureate degree and teacher certification in Kinesiology encompasses three areas of work:

1. the required block of professional theory courses (HLTH & KINT) -33 semester hours,
2. the required block of professional development courses (PEDG) -24 semester hours, and

3. the required block of professional activity courses (KINA) -18 semester hours. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in each of the kinesiology professional theory courses (HLTH & KINT) and in the professional activity courses (KINA). A student must have completed the English, Math, Biology, Political Science, and History General Education Requirements prior to enrolling in the 3000 and 4000 level professional theory courses (KINT). For teacher certification in Health and Kinesiology, the required blocks of professional development courses are READ 3326, PEDG 3310, 3320, 3380, 4340 and 4630, and PEDG 2310. A student must be admitted to the College of Education and Human Development’s teacher education program before enrolling in professional development courses (PEDG 2310 is taken prior to admission into the teacher education program). The required blocks of professional activity courses are KINA 1370, KINA 2378, and KINA 3390. Nine additional hours must be selected from KINA 2370, 2371, 2372, 2373.

Exercise Science and Fitness Management (ESFM)

The Exercise Science and Fitness Management program of study prepares the student for a career in corporate or community fitness, personal training, physical therapy, exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, and athletic training. The course of study leading to a baccalaureate degree encompasses several areas:

1. the required block of professional theory courses (HLTH & KINT),
2. the required block of physical activity courses (KINA 2378 and PEGA)
3. the block of courses from a chosen emphasis area (management, clinical,(laboratory sciences), nutrition, community and private recreation, or athletic training.)

A student must have successfully completed 45 semester credit hours to include the English, Math, and Laboratory Sciences general education requirements in addition to KINA 2378 (Applied Fitness Concepts) and KINT 2371 (Functional Anatomy and Physiology) before enrolling in the 3000-and 4000-level ESFM professional courses. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in each of the professional theory (KINT & HLTH) and activity (KINA & PEGA) courses.

Entrance Requirements for all Majors

1. Entering Freshmen who meet the University’s general entrance requirements may be admitted to the Department of Health and Kinesiology.
2. Students who wish to enter Teacher Certification programs, the Community Health program, or the Exercise Science and Fitness Management program in the Department of Health and Kinesiology must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on all work attempted.

Bachelor of Science – Kinesiology

Teacher Certification Program EC-12 Certification – Total Min. Hours: 123

Bachelor of Science – Health Teacher Certification Program

EC-12 Certification – Total Min. Hours: 124

Bachelor of Science – Health

Non-Certification Community Health Program – Total Min. Hours:122

Bachelor of Science – Exercise Science & Fitness Management – Total Min. Hours: 120

Athletic Training Specialization

Licensure by the State of Texas as an Athletic Trainer is available through meeting the following requirements:

1. Admission to the Athletic Training Internship Program at Lamar University.
2. Completion of a minimum of 1800 clock hours over a period of at least five academic semesters prior to graduation.
3. Completion of an undergraduate degree in addition to certain course requirements.
4. Successful completion of Texas Department of State Health Services Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers licensure examination.

Graduate Program

The Department of Health and Kinesiology offers two programs of study leading to the Master of Science degree.

M.S. in Health Promotion: This online degree program is an in-depth examination of Community Health theory, research, and practice in Health Promotion program assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Program topics include current issues, epidemiology, behavior, psychosocial, and socioeconomic factors and determinants influencing health status.

M.S. in Kinesiology: The program is designed to enhance the professional competence of graduates in Exercise Science, Sport Studies and related Kinesiology fields of study. Primary focus is placed upon advance knowledge and research in pedagogy, sport, and exercise issues.

Admissions:

1. Candidates for admissions to the Master of Science in Health Promotion or Kinesiology must meet all the admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies.
2. Candidates must also have a 2.5 or greater GPA on a 4.0 scale or a 2.75 GPA in the last 60 hours of their undergraduate degree program.
3. Candidates must meet the admission formula requirement: (GPA * 200) + (GRE Verbal + Quantitative) = 1350 or greater.
4. Candidates must satisfy the necessary undergraduate prerequisites as prescribed for a particular area of specialization.

Degree Requirements:

M.S. in Health Promotion:

1. The candidates for the Master of Science degree in Health Promotion must meet all of the College of Graduate Studies general degree requirements.
2. Twenty-one semester hours of required curriculum core courses.
3. Three to nine semester hours of Health Promotion elective courses.
4. Six semester hours of Thesis or Professional Courses.
   1. Completion of degree option:
      1. Thesis – (30 hours) to include 24 hours of course work and a minimum of 6 hours of thesis.
      2. Non-Thesis – (36 hours) to include a minimum of 36 hours of course work.

M.S. in Kinesiology:

1. The candidates for the Master of Science degree in Kinesiology must meet all of the College of Graduate Studies general degree requirements.
2. Fifteen semester hours of required curriculum core courses.
3. Nine semester hours of Exercise Science or Sport Studies track courses.
4. Six semester hours of Thesis or 12 additional hours of research and/or track courses.
   1. Completion of degree option:
      1. Thesis – (30 hours) to include 24 hours of course work and a minimum of 6 hours of thesis.
      2. Non-Thesis – (36 hours) to include a minimum of 36 hours of course work.