The major in Kinesiology (BSE) offers two concentrations of study: Exercise Science and Physical Education. An Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) is offered for highly motivated students concentrating in Exercise Science.
Exercise Science
Clinical Instructor Neika Morgan
Office: 1022 Moore Hall
Kinesiology majors with a concentration in Exercise Science take coursework designed to prepare them for employment in a number of professional settings and for continued graduate work in a variety of health-affiliated fields. These include options related to physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician's assistant, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, clinical exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, private and corporate wellness, fitness centers/university recreation settings, personal training and group fitness instruction, and strength and conditioning coaching.
Physical Education
Associate Professor Oleg Sinelnikov
Office: 1009 Moore Hall
Clinical Associate Professor Elizabeth Woodruff
Office: 2006 Moore Hall
Kinesiology majors with a concentration in Physical Education study as a cohort. The core classes taken are elementary, secondary, and advanced methods which teach students effective teaching styles and how to deliver different curriculum models appropriate for elementary and secondary students. Early field experiences are embedded within these methods and content courses and serve as excellent preparation for the culminating student-teaching internship. Students also take courses in the exercise sciences, which are foundational to teaching physical education, as well as general education classes.
Students pursuing the Kinesiology, BSE must complete the program core as listed below along with the requirements in their selected concentration.
| Kinesiology Program Core | Hours |
| ATR 272 | First Aid, Safety & CPR | 1 |
| BSC 215 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| KIN 303 | Physiology of Exercise | 3 |
| KIN 365 | Applied Biomechanics | 3 |
| KIN 366 | Evaluation and Measurement | 3 |
| KIN 464 | Admin Phys Educ & Sport | 3 |
| KIN 468 | Adapted Physical Education | 3 |
| Total Hours | 20 |
Exercise Science
The concentration in Exercise Science includes general studies requirements, the 20-hour Kinesiology Major Core Courses, required Exercise Science Concentration Courses, and 30 hours of Approved Exercise Science Electives. Students must complete 120 semester hours as specified below. This program does not lead to professional certification as a teacher.
General Studies: 47 hours
See general studies requirements listed earlier in this section. The following exceptions apply:
- Area II: Student may substitute a different Area II course for the public-speaking requirement.
- Area III: BSC 114 Principles Of Biology I/BSC 115 Laboratory Biology I (Majors) and CH 101 General Chemistry must be taken to meet prerequisite requirements.
Professional Studies:
| Exercise Science Concentration Courses | Hours |
| 4 |
| Intro Biology Non Maj I | |
| Intro Biology Non Maj II | |
| Principles Of Biology I
and Laboratory Biology I | |
| BSC 216 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| 4-5 |
| KIN 367 | Exercise is Medicine | 3 |
| KIN 392 | Clinical Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KIN 492 | Advanced Ex Phys | 4 |
| KIN 493 | Fit Apprsl Exer Prescrip | 3 |
| KIN 494 | Strength and Conditioning | 3 |
| KIN 488 | Internships-Fitness | 3 |
Approved Exercise Science Electives: 30 hours
Students completing the concentration in Exercise Science must complete a minimum of 30 hours of electives from the following list. Selections should be discussed with an advisor in the Department of Kinesiology before registering each term.
Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) for students concentrating in Exercise Science
The Accelerated Masters Program (AMP) allows highly motivated students concentrating in Exercise Science to take courses that dual count toward the BSE in Kinesiology degree as well as toward an MA in Kinesiology degree (with coursework focusing on Exercise Science). Students admitted to the program take 12 hours of 500-level coursework during the senior year. Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, students can take an additional 18 hours of coursework during year 5 in order to complete the 30-hour MA degree. Students are not obligated to complete the masters degree and choosing not to complete it will not adversely affect the ability to earn the BSE degree.
Eligibility
Students may begin the AMP after 90 or more hours have been earned, so this means they would normally apply to the Graduate School during the final semester of the junior year.
To be considered for admission, students must:
- have completed 90 hours toward their BSE in Kinesiology degree (Exercise Science Concentration)
- have an overall GPA of at least 3.3
- have taken (or be enrolled in) KIN 303 before applying
For more information, contact Dr. Mark Richardson, graduate coordinator for Exercise Science, at 205-348-9180 or mtrichar@ua.edu.
Physical Education
[NOTE: Students should consult with their advisor before registering each term for current requirements.]
Kinesiology majors pursuing certification in physical education are typically interested in teaching as their main focus and, with successful completion, will graduate as highly qualified to teach in grades P-12. Many of our students are also interested in coaching as well as strength and conditioning and often have volunteer opportunities to gain experience while undergraduates.
This concentration requires the completion of hours as specified and leads to the Bachelor of Science in Education degree and Alabama Class B Physical Education (P-12) professional educator certificate. Students who have completed all 100- and 200-level requirements and have a UA GPA—and, if transfer work, a cumulative GPA—of at least 2.75 may apply to the physical education teacher education (PETE) cohort in the fall semester of the junior year. Additionally, students must have earned passing scores on all three components (reading, writing, and math) of the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test.
The Class B Physical Education program is a State-approved program and is subject to change. The undergraduate catalog is published annually. DegreeWorks is updated more frequently and is likely to provide the most up-to-date information on degree and other requirements. In addition, students should obtain the most recent advising sheets available from the faculty advisor, Dr. Elizabeth Woodruff, or from academic advisors in 104 Carmichael Hall. Students are expected to consult with advisors each term prior to registering for coursework.
General Studies: 54 hours
Courses that are common to the teaching field and the general studies component may be applied to both. See general studies requirements, listed earlier. The following exceptions apply:
- Area II: Courses should be selected to meet teaching field or prerequisite requirements.
- Area III: BSC 109 Intro Biology Non Maj II or BSC 114 Principles Of Biology I/BSC 115 Laboratory Biology I should be selected to meet prerequisite requirements.
- Area IV: Courses should be selected to meet teaching field or prerequisite requirements.
- Area V: In addition to those courses listed in General Requirements, BSC 215 Human Anatomy & Physiology I or BSC 216 Human Anatomy & Physiology II and ATR 272 First Aid, Safety & CPR should be selected from remaining hours. CAT 200 Comp Ed App and CAT 250 Comp Ed Curr Dev should be selected. EDU 200 Orient to Teacher Education is also required.
Teaching Field:
| Physical Education Teaching Field | Hours |
| KIN 303 | Physiology of Exercise | 3 |
| KIN 305 | Dance & Gymnastics | 3 |
| KIN 306 | Tchg Inv, Strike/Field, Target | 3 |
| KIN 307 | Teach Trk & Fld/Net Game | 3 |
| KIN 310 | Teaching Swimming | 3 |
| KIN 311 | Tch Hlth Related Fitness | 3 |
| KIN 351 | Secondary Clinical Experience | 3 |
| KIN 360 | Subj Matter Elem Physical Educ | 3 |
| KIN 361 | Elem Phys Ed Curr Phil Theory | 3 |
| KIN 362 | Motor Development | 3 |
| KIN 365 | Applied Biomechanics | 3 |
| KIN 464 | Admin Phys Educ & Sport | 3 |
| KIN 468 | Adapted Physical Education | 3 |
| Total Hours | 39 |
Professional Studies:
Students must earn grades of C- or higher in each of the following professional studies courses. No more than five professional studies courses may be taken prior to admission to TEP (see adviser for appropriate course sequence). The University of Alabama GPA—and, if transfer work, the cumulative GPA—must be at least 2.75 in these courses. KIN 350 Secondary Curriculum must be taken concurrently with KIN 351 Secondary Clinical Experience.
| Physical Education Professional Studies | Hours |
| BEF 362 | School, Culture, and Society | 3 |
| BEP 305 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| KIN 350 | Secondary Curriculum | 3 |
| KIN 366 | Evaluation and Measurement | 3 |
| KIN 487 | Physical Educ Teach Pract * | 3 |
| KIN 497 | Internship Phys Education * | 12 |
| SPE 300 | Survey Spe Accomd Stratg | 3 |
| EDU 400 | Internship Seminar * | 1 |
| Total Hours | 31 |
NOTE: BEF 362, KIN 366, and SPE 300 may be taken prior to TEP admission. BEP 305 and KIN 350 must be taken prior to TEP admission.
Admission to the PETE methods cohort is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Rather, students who meet stated criteria are guaranteed consideration for admission to the teacher education program (TEP). All students must begin the PETE methods cohort in the fall semester.
An individual may request from his or her adviser information concerning summative data on the most recent previous admission.
NOTE: Students will apply to TEP while they are enrolled in KIN 350 Secondary Curriculum. They must meet TEP admission requirements, have a 2.75 GPA (UA and cumulative) in areas I-V and all coursework, and have completed an application. Applications for TEP are available in 104 Carmichael Hall.
