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Embark on a career that is all helps people get and stay healthy.
Major Roadmap
Explore your options — classes, internships, research and study abroad. Find what interests you, discover what you love, and create a major experience that jumpstarts your future.
As a Kinesiology major, you’ll study the scientific basis for human movement. You’ll explore physiological, mechanical and psychological principles and theories that relate to fitness and the human body — but you won’t stop there. You’ll create fitness programs and design rehabilitation plans for class projects.
When you graduate, you’ll be prepared for a career as an athletic trainer, a sports manager, a physical education teacher, or a coach. Many of our alumni go on to pursue a doctorate of Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy. St. Edward’s University offers pre-professional tracks that ensure you’re ready for graduate school.
What do our graduates do?
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- Health promotions specialist for Chevron in San Ramon, Calif.
- Account executive for the Connecticut Sun WNBA team
- Athletic director of an Austin Catholic school, grades PreK–8
- Graduate teaching fellow at KIPP Texas Public Schools
- Rehabilitation services technician at Seton Healthcare Family in Austin
- Sales manager for a medical device company
- Physical Therapy student at the University of Kansas Medical Center
My Career-Relevant Service Opportunity
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—Jasmine Adgerson ’21, Kinesiology major
5 Kinesiology Tracks and Degree Requirements
1. Kinesiology
This program provides a foundation in the physiological and mechanical aspects of the human body. Hands-on coursework and close interaction with faculty members will give you the freedom and guidance to become a well-versed, independent learner. In this track, you will ...
- Explore the fundamentals of kinesiology such as musculoskeletal anatomy, biomechanics and fitness
- Study the prevention and treatment of athletic injuries
- Design and implement fitness programs
- Participate in a supervised internship
Most students select this degree with the goal of helping individuals in the area of fitness or sports.
Major Requirements: 40 hours of Kinesiology major courses and 7 hours of Kinesiology supporting courses.
Electives: 19 hours of elective courses in any area of study.
General Education Requirements: 57 hours of general education courses plus major courses and electives.
View and download the full degree plan for our Kinesiology major (PDF).
2. Athletic Training Emphasis
Athletic trainers motivate others to fulfill athletic goals while practicing principles of injury prevention and rehabilitation. In this track, you will ...
- Study all aspects of human anatomy, physiology and movement
- Work with SEU athletic teams
- Participate in a supervised internship
- Prepare to qualify for the Texas licensure test
To be licensed as an athletic trainer in Texas you must pass the licensure test administered by the Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers through the Texas Department of State Health Services. Close interaction with faculty at St. Edward’s — and time spent in classes, advising sessions and learning in the field — fully prepares you for your supervised athletic-training internship and state certification exams.
Major Requirements: 45 hours of Kinesiology major courses and 10 hours of Kinesiology supporting courses.
Electives: 14 hours of elective courses in any area of study.
General Education Requirements: 51 hours of general education courses plus major courses and electives.
View and download the full degree plan for Kinesiology with Athletic Training Emphasis (PDF).
3. Pre-Physical Therapy Emphasis
Physical therapists optimize health and function through the assessment, identification, and correction of acute or prolonged movement dysfunction. In this track, you will ...
- Identify, prevent and correct movement dysfunction
- Study scientific topics as they relate to the human body, exercise, and rehabilitation
- Design rehabilitation plans
- Learn how to motivate individuals through fitness and wellness plans
This track is often taken by students pursuing physical therapy, medical or occupational therapy schools, as well as other medical-based fields.
Major Requirements: 36 hours of Kinesiology major courses and 38 hours of Kinesiology supporting courses.
General Education Requirements: 48 hours of general education courses plus major courses and electives.
View and download the full degree plan for Kinesiology with Pre-Physical Therapy Emphasis (PDF).
4. Sports Management Emphasis
This track prepares you for a diversity of roles in the areas of sports marketing, facility management and planning, human resources, strategic planning, sport finance and facility design. In this track, you will ...
- Learn about the science and management of kinesiology in relation to sport programs
- Develop a fundamental understanding of business administration
- Study the management of kinesiology and sports programs
Students on this track are required to complete a minor in Business Administration as part of the degree plan.
Major Requirements: 36 hours of Kinesiology major courses and 7 hours of Kinesiology supporting courses.
Required Business Administration Minor: 27 hours of business courses, such as accounting, communication, finance and marketing
General Education Requirements: 54 hours of general education courses in addition to major and minor courses.
View and download the full degree plan for Kinesiology with Sports Management Emphasis (PDF).
5. Early Childhood-12th Grade (EC-12) Physical Education Emphasis
The Physical Education track prepares you to become a certified physical education teacher in grades EC–12. In this track, you will ...
- Study all aspects of fitness and its important role in fostering lifelong health
- Explore the fundamentals of physical activity in adolescents including motor development and biomechanics
- Learn to design curricula, fitness plans and recreational activities
- Develop coursework on aspects of well-being
- Participate in a student-teaching internship
Major Requirements: 43 hours of Kinesiology major courses and 7 hours of Kinesiology supporting courses.
Required Teacher Education Minor: 19 hours of Teacher Education courses and 6 hours earned in a student-teaching internship.
General Education Requirements: 51 hours of general education courses in addition to major and minor courses.
View and download the full degree plan for Kinesiology with EC-12 Physical Education Emphasis (PDF).
Our Faculty and Student Support Services
Our distinguished faculty members are scholar-practitioners dedicated to developing responsible and independent learners. Education is the way we discover the world and contribute to its transformation. As such, we strive to instill a sense of wonder and excitement in our students by nurturing their ambitions and providing guidance. Meet a few of our esteemed professors ...
“I take a hands-on approach to teaching ... By providing my students with tangible examples, I help them put their learning to the test and see firsthand what the course material really means.”
– Kristy K. Ballard, PhD, Associate Dean, Associate Professor of Kinesiology
Kristy Ballard was honored as the 2013 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award Winner.
“I want my students to be able to apply their new knowledge as soon as they begin their first job out of college.”
– John Knorr, EdD, Professor of Kinesiology
“I believe in helping students take responsibility for their own learning by structuring assignments that allow them to develop their skills in research and critical thinking. In this instance, students will have to adapt to the strategies necessary to complete the assignments proffered regardless of their learning style.”
– Thomas Pate, PhD, Associate Professor of Kinesiology
Student Support Services
Along with personal attention and mentorship from your professors, you'll have access to offices and programs outside of the classroom that support your success. We encourage you to take advantage these resources that help you thrive and excel:
- Academic counseling and advising
- Supplemental instruction and tutoring
- Career preparation and advising
- Writing Center consultation
- Health and wellness counseling
- Student disability support
Outside of the Classroom
Active Engagement in the Field
Kinesiology majors gain valuable experience through hands-on learning and field work. In the program, you will have an opportunity to participate in:
- A clinical internship supervised by field professionals
- Safety and first aid training
- Lifeguard training
- Water safety instructor training
About the Minors
Minor in Kinesiology
Students interested in studying the anatomy, physiology and movement of the human body can pursue a minor in Kinesiology. Coursework explores:
- An introduction to kinesiology and sports science
- Athletic injury prevention and treatment
- Concepts of physical fitness and wellness
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Minor in Kinesiology with a Coaching Emphasis
Students can add a minor in Kinesiology with a Coaching Emphasis to strengthen their candidate profile for sports and fitness-related jobs. Coursework explores:
- Strength training and cardiovascular conditioning
- Safety and first aid
- Athletic injury prevention and treatment
- Exercise physiology
- Coaching theory and practice
- Legal and ethical Issues in sport and kinesiology
- Kinesiology and sports through an internship
Are you a current student? Contact your advisor for next steps on declaring your major or minor.