Kinesiology
Graduate Program Coordinator:
Dr.
Lorrie Brilla (360) 650-3056, Lorrie.Brilla@wwu.edu
Department
of Physical Education, Health and Recreation
Western Washington University, Mail Stop 9067
516 High St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-9067.
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The Exercise Science graduate degree is a dynamic combination of
theoretical, applied, and experiential training. Theoretical aspects
include current concepts in physiology of exercise, biomechanics,
functional anatomy, motor control/learning, plus independent thought
and research within those areas. Typical activities include involvement
in familiarization with laboratory equipment, ongoing research
projects, case studies, analysis of real cases, problem solving, and
interaction with clients in wellness and fitness assessment/leadership
programs. Experiential training includes internships in a variety of
settings: corporate fitness programs, hospitals, and the campus fitness
program among others.
The Exercise Science program meets the needs of
students who are seeking a terminal degree for employment in the
fitness assessment and exercise prescription fields. Examples of
employment sites include hospital health and fitness laboratories,
health and fitness centers, and physical therapy clinics. This degree
is also popular for the continuing education of athletic trainers and
physical therapists. Additionally, the exercise science specialization
can serve as a preparation for further studies at the doctoral level.
The Exercise Science degree can only be completed
during the academic year. Students must attend for a minimum of two
years, since courses are offered on a two-year alternating basis. The
content of the degree contains heavy emphasis in Exercise Physiology
and Biomechanics with support courses from Motor Control/Learning,
Statistics, and Research Design. Electives can also be taken from
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or other areas. Additionally, students are
encouraged to participate in a wide variety of ongoing research
activities in both the Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology
Laboratories. A thesis is required and an eclectic approach is taken
whereby students can select topics of interest and explore them within
the constraints of finances and sophistication of equipment.
Exercise Science Option plan of study.
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Directed toward educational, behavioral, and applied orientations, the
sport psychology specialization is designed to prepare students to
serve as performance consultants for athletic teams, and health- and
fitness-oriented businesses, as well as community organizations which
sponsor organized recreational and youth sport programs. Students can
also design this specialization to emphasize the psychology of coaching
or to prepare themselves for continuing graduate studies in sport and
exercise psychology.
In addition to core courses, students can choose
several elective courses in psychology and exercise science to complete
their course of study. One of the unique and attractive features of
this applied program is the availability of internships in sport and
exercise psychology with Western’s intercollegiate athletic teams
and Adult Fitness programs. Internships in sport and exercise
psychology are designed to serve as culminating experiences, which
highlight the applied nature of this specialization. A thesis in sport
and exercise psychology is required.
Sport Psychology Option plan of study.
Sport Psychology Option
Admission Criteria.
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Brilla, Lorrie, Ph.D., Exercise Physiology / Nutrition
Chalmers, Gordon, Ph.D., Motor
Control
Martin, LeaAnn, Ph.D., Pedagogy
Mears, Derrick, Ph.D., Pedagogy
Suprak, David, Ph.D., Biomechanics
/
Exercise Programming and Design
For more information on the graduate program,
contact the appropriate kinesiology
or pedagogy faculty member for
individual program questions
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Graduate
Guidelines
Thesis
Projects completed over the past several years.
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