Mission Statement

TheKinesiology, Health, and Sport Science Department is a diverse and interdisciplinary department that offers multiple nationally accredited programs of study designed to:

  • provide educational experiences that encourage lifetime health, fitness, and physical activity.
  • prepare students for careers in health, physical education, athletic training, exercise science, sport management, and aquatics in varied occupational settings, including educational, corporate, medical, and community.
  • foster service learning opportunities and partnerships within the university and with the local community.
  • seek and develop ongoing funding, research, and scholarship opportunities to enhance academic programming and advance the knowledge base of the professional discipline.

Degree Options

BSEd in Health and Physical Education/K-12 Teacher Education

The Health and Physical Education programs are separately accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education within the dual major. A primary goal is to prepare effective educators who are knowledgeable on current and emerging issues in education and who are capable of responding to expanding professional roles in the promotion of health, physical fitness, and well-being of school-aged learners. Upon completion of degree requirements, students are qualified for an Instructional I Certificate issued by the PA Department of Education for teaching both health and physical education in grades K-12.

BS in Physical Education and Sport

Students who select this degree choose from a variety of specialized programs, including Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Sport Administration. Each of these academic programs provides emphasis in discipline-specific subject matter and also valuable practical experiences to prepare graduates to assume leadership roles for careers in corporate and/or community health fitness, cardiac rehabilitation, athletic training and sports medicine, sport business and facilities management, or aquatics.

BS in Pre-Athletic Training

The Physical Education and Sport, Pre-Athletic Training track prepares students for admission into a master’s degree program in athletic training. The curriculum provides the scientific foundation needed to be accepted into master’s degree programs in athletic training. Students can begin working on a master’s degree while finishing the Pre-Athletic Training track by taking advantage of the 3+2 option offered through our Athletic Training master’s degree program

Exercise Science

The Exercise Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Career opportunities in Exercise Science are based upon scientific understanding of the physiological responses to exercise and activity in healthy populations and those with disease and/or disability. Course work includes human anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, fitness appraisal, exercise prescription, and strength training. Students are prepared for a variety of careers in health promotion, personal and group fitness, and corporate wellness. Students may also use this major to prepare for postgraduate programs in allied health professions, including physical and occupational therapy, chiropractic medicine, physician's assistant, and exercise physiology.

Sport Administration

The Sport Administration program prepares students to use a variety of skills to function successfully in a management capacity within the sport industry. Graduates of this program can seek employment in school and college athletic departments, coaching, community recreation organizations, minor and major league sports franchises, commercial sport facilities, golf courses, and other athletic and sport-related industries. Students acquire management skills that can be used in multiple career tracks. Successful completion of this academic program includes a minor in Business from IUP's Eberly College of Business and Information Technology.