Welcome to the Kinesiology and
Physical Education Program in the Department of Physical Education,
Health and Recreation at Western Washington University. Included
here is information to assist you in deciding whether Kinesiology and
Physical Education is the field you wish to study, as well as
information to get you started in our department. Please explore
all the links provided throughout this site.
Topics:
Program Options: Majors and Minors
MAJOR PROGRAMS
The
major programs are varied and include undergraduate and graduate
student preparation for careers as professional physical educators,
exercise science specialists, and health fitness instructors in
agencies, schools, industries, hospitals and health care
facilities.
There
are two major programs in the Kinesiology and Physical Education
program:
- The Kinesiology Program
- The P-12 Physical Education
and Health Teacher Education Program
KINESIOLOGY AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION MID-PROGRAM
CHECKPOINT
Students
seeking to complete a B.A. Ed in Physical Education and Health degree
in physical education (teacher education P-12) or B.S. in Kinesiology
degree within a four-year time span should have completed the following
courses by the start of their junior year. Major omissions from this
list will make it difficult or impossible to complete this degree
within two additional years.
- All GUR requirements
- Biol 101 and Biol 348 preferred
NOTE: The teacher education P-12 option
requires a 4 plus-year commitment which includes a one-semester student
teaching internship. Students must meet the minimum entry requirements
of the Woodring College of Education before being considered for
admission to the P-12 physical education and health program. Students
should apply for entry into the P-12 physical education and health
program during the fall quarter of their junior year. Students who do
not meet the minimum qualifications of the Woodring College of
Education cannot apply to be considered for entry into the P-12
physical education and health program.
NOTE:
The pre-physical therapy specialization of the
Kinesiology option requires careful planning if students are to
complete the degree in a four-year period. It is suggested that
students who are interested in this specialization consult with the
pre-PT advisor during their freshman or sophomore year in order to
establish a reasonable plan of study for the completion of this
degree.
| The
Kinesiology Program |
| General Information |
| The
Kinesiology Program provides concentrated study of human movement from
developmental, mechanical, motor control, psychosocial, psychological,
historical, pathological, and physiological perspectives. This
program is appropriate for students who plan to work in the
fitness/exercise industry and can serve as a preparatory program for
graduate or post-baccalaureate study in the areas of aging, auxology,
biomechanics, exercise physiology, health/fitness, motor
control/learning, physical therapy, other health care professions, and
sport psychology. Supporting courses from biology, chemistry,
communications, computer science, psychology, health education, and
physics may be included to provide more in-depth analysis of principles
associated with human structure and function.
The five areas of concentration offered are:
- Movement Studies
- Health and Fitness Specialist
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Sport Psychology
- Pre-Healthcare
Professions
|
|
Program Overview
|
| The Kinesiology Program consists of two years of
coursework. This includes required core coursework (51-60 credits) in
the following areas: professional activities, core foundation courses,
exercise science foundations, behavioral and cultural foundations, and
field experience. Additionally, all Kinesiology students are required
to select and take coursework (34-53 credits) in one of the following
areas of specialization: Movement Studies, Health and Fitness Specialist, Pre-Physical Therapy, Sport Psychology, or Pre-Health
Care Professions. It is important to note that
completion of coursework for the Pre-Physical Therapy option and
the Pre-Health Care Professions option
may take more than two years; unless some of the specialization courses
can be taken in the freshman or sophomore year. Generally, Kinesiology
students begin taking coursework at the beginning of the junior year;
however, earlier entry is possible so that the general university
requirements (GURs) and Kinesiology requirements are taken over a
period of four years. However, careful planning is required if students
are to complete their degree during a four-year period. |
| |
| Admission |
| Admittance into the Kinesiology major is contingent
upon declaring the major. Students are
assigned an advisor for the selected program. Enrollment in major
courses is restricted until the major is declared. |
| |
| Graduates |
| Graduates in Kinesiology have a variety of career
options depending upon specialization within the major. Graduates of
the Movement Studies and Health and Fitness Specialist options may
become employed in health clubs, hospitals, and workplace settings.
Movement Studies is more generalized study and Health and Fitness
Specialist is more specialized for certification. Graduates of the
Pre-Physical Therapy option and Pre-Health Care Professions option generally pursue post-baccalaureate study in a
physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, or similar allied
health programs. Our Sport Psychology graduates pursue practical
application of psychology to sport and exercise settings. Graduates
representing all five areas of specialization may go on to pursue
graduate study in their area of interest. (See also: How do I become a good candidate for Graduate school) |
The
P-12 Physical Education and Health Teacher
Education Program
General Information
The
P-12 Physical Education and Health Teacher Education Program is looking
for highly qualified candidates to become physical education and health
teachers in the schools. This unique and highly respected program
features:
- Many practical experiences working with youngsters in
schools and related settings.
- Emphasis on the development of motor skills and
fitness components in youngsters.
- Development of teaching skills in practical settings.
- An innovative curriculum in which students complete
the program in a community of learners (cohort group).
- Encouragement of self directed learning and critical
thinking skills.
- Emphasis on teaching learners of all ability levels -
not just elite athletes.
- Development of skills in a wide variety of movement,
fitness, and leisure activities.
- A supportive community of fellow students, faculty and
alumni.
- Greater access to faculty and comprehensive advising.
- A variety of learning environments, in addition to the
classroom, which can include retreats, field experiences and
professional conferences.
- A high rate of placement in the schools for students
who graduate.
Program Overview
This
major provides concentrated study of instructional methodology,
exercise science foundations, health, and behavioral and cultural
foundation aspects of physical education. Completion of the
requirements leads to teacher certification in P-12 physical education
and health. This program is special in that it consists of four
sequential five-credit blocks with practicum experiences at the
elementary, middle, high school, and college levels. It allows students
concentrated time developing teaching techniques while working with
youngsters in public schools.
The
program consists of two years of coursework and one semester of student
teaching. Students begin taking classes in the major fall quarter of
their junior year (year 1 of the program). At the same time, students
apply for formal admission into both the Woodring College of Education
and the Physical Education Teacher Education and Health Program.
Students are notified by the end of fall quarter if they are admitted
into the program. Once admitted, students continue with the sequence of
classes in the block program for the next five quarters.
Are You Interested?
If
you are someone who is interested in majoring in P-12 Physical
Education and Health Teacher Education to become a physical and health
educator, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I love working with all children and youth?
- Do I want to work in an active and dynamic environment?
- Do I want to promote lifetime wellness and fitness?
- Am I a self-directed learner?
- Do I take initiative and have leadership skills?
- Am I enthusiastic and willing to learn?
If you can respond to these questions with a "Yes,"
you are the type of person we are looking for.
MINOR PROGRAMS
The
Kinesiology and Physical Education program offers a minor only in Sport
Psychology. This interdisciplinary program is designed to
introduce the student to the discipline of sport psychology. More
specifically, it emphasizes the educational and behavioral approaches
to sport psychology and introduces students to psychometric and
clinical techniques which are an integral part of this discipline.
Applying To Western
For information about applying to Western, contact the
Admissions Office,
Old Main 200, (360) 650-3440. An Undergraduate Application for
Admission is required of all freshmen, transfer and post baccalaureate
applicants.
If you are thinking
about transferring to Western, consult the Office of
Admissions-Transfer student information. If you are wondering
what courses will apply toward the major in Kinesiology and Physical
Education, contact the KPE program Transcript Evaluator, Dr. G.
Chalmers (Gordon.Chalmers-AT-wwu.edu)
. The following table will also allow you to determine, for some
of your courses, if they will transfer to Western.
For advice about General University Requirements
(GURs), contact the Academic
Advising Center.
Once
you have been admitted to Western, we recommend that you formally declare the major as soon as possible in order
to establish a plan of study, gain access to classes in the major
during the first phase of registration, and receive important
information from the department.
Application Procedures: Declaring The Major
Criteria For Declaring
Majors:
Students may be advanced to major status by meeting with the PEHR Dept.
Secretary in Carver Gym room 102 to be assigned to a faculty
advisor. After meeting with an advisor, a student will be
declared as a major (Kinesiology program) or Pre-major (pedagogy
program).
Students interested in the P-12 Physical Education/Health
program will be advanced to pre-major status. Students interested in
the P-12 Physical Education/Health program will be advanced to major
status when they have been successful in their application to the P-12
Physical Education/Health program and to the Woodring College of
Education. Admission and acceptance into the P-12 Physical
Education/Health program occurs only in the Fall quarter. Students will
be notified by the end of the Fall quarter if they have been successful
in their application to both the P-12 Physical Education/Health program
and to the Woodring College of Education. Students who enter the
program begin as a major in the program in Winter quarter. The
following forms are to be used by students applying to the P-12
Physical Education/Health program.
Students must meet all requirements for admission
into the Woodring College of Education, including passing allsections
of the WEST B exam.
Minors:
A minor at Western is not officially declared. When you submit
your Degree Application to the Registrar's Office, you will need to
turn in your minor evaluation, along with your major evaluation.
Students interested in the sport psychology minor should see the sport psychology advisor for
more information.
Procedure For Declaring
Contact the PEHR Dept. Secretary in CV 102 to begin
the major declaration process. You will be assigned to an advisor
who will determine which courses may be applied toward the major, and
assist in developing a plan of study for coursework remaining.
If
you are thinking of declaring the Kinesiology or Physical Education
major, it is to your advantage to declare as soon as possible in order
to gain registration access to the maximum number of KPE program
classes during the first five days of Phase I.
Applying for Graduation
When
to apply for graduation
Plan to
apply for graduation two quarters prior to your final quarter. For
example, if you are graduating at the end of Spring Quarter, you will
need to apply for graduation during Fall Quarter. Plan to do your major evaluation as early as
possible during the quarter, well in advance of registration.
Information about the process may be found on the Registrar's Office
Degree Application web site
How to
apply for graduation
Make an
appointment with your advisor to do your major evaluation at
least two quarters prior to graduation. Please plan to do this
well in advance of registration. Plan to bring a copy of
your transcript(s) so your coursework can be evaluated (unofficial is
fine, you can get a transcript off the net). The final step will be to turn in your major evaluation,
along with a Degree Application, to the Registrar's Office.
Degree Application packets are available at the Registrar's Office, Old
Main 230.
