KINESIOLOGY

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

Department Contact Information:
Georgia College & State University
College of Health Sciences
Campus Box 112
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-445-4072
Kinesiology Department Web site
Interim Chair, Lisa Griffin, lisa.griffin@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 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 the Health Education: Community Health and Human Services program are qualified to work in community health education, clinical/patient education, and 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. Students will have a strong background in health education and will therefore be excellent candidates for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) graduate degree after graduation.

Exercise Science
Graduates from the B.S. in Health Education with a concentration 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 from the B.S. 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, upper level programs. Students 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. Students are considered Pre-Majors until applications for admission have been approved. Admission to most programs in the Department of Kinesiology is highly competitive and may be limited based on availability of qualified faculty and maintaining student to faculty ratios required by accreditation standards. All students who apply to majors in the Departments may not be admitted. 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 Community Health and Human Services, Exercise Science, and Athletic Training programs complete a formal application to the major of interest. 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 to the majors 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:

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 2.5 (Community Health and Human Services)
Grade Point Average of 2.75 (Exercise Science and Athletic Training)
Two letters of recommendation
Proof of professional liability insurance
Personal interview (Athletic Training and Exercise Science)
Acknowledgement of Technical Standards (Athletic Training)
Medical examination (Athletic Training)
Agreement to adhere to accredited policy, student expectations, or technical standards (Athletic Training)

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 (Community Health and Human Services) or 2.75 GPA (Exercise Science and Athletic Training). In the event that a student’s GPA falls below 2.5 or 2.75, one semester will be given to bring it back up. If it remains below 2.5 or 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

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.