Kinesiology Specializations Tailor your degree to an area that's right for you!

The discipline of Kinesiology explores the art and science of human movement.  In the Kinesiology Program, students develop and appreciate the human body and its tremendous potential, as well as an understanding of the relationship between positive lifestyle choices and long-term improvements in health and well-being. 

A degree in Kinesiology can lead to a variety of career prospects.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Leisure, Fitness and Recreation Services rank just behind Health Care and High Technology as expanding career fields for the 21st century.  Education, therapeutic exercise, geriatric wellness, health and fitness leadership, sports training, coaching, athletic medicine, sports and fitness communication and commercial fitness are areas in which most graduates in Kinesiology seek career opportunities.  Additional avenues open to graduates include positions in service agencies, private athletic and recreation clubs, recreation organizations, corporate fitness programs, commercial and summer camps, and sporting goods companies.  Many students choose to go on to graduate school.

We offer different emphasis areas to tailor the Kinesiology degree toward particular specializations within the field.  Students complete courses focusing on the specific emphasis area. Apply now or contact us at 208-792-2600 or movementsciences@lcsc.edu to learn more.

Kinesiology: Exercise Science/Health Occupations

This emphasis area prepares for careers as Physical Therapy assistants, personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, technical jobs, or as a pathway to graduate school.  Students who graduate with a degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science/Health Occupations will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of human anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, sports medicine, exercise prescription, exercise and special populations, nutrition, the psychology of exercise, stress management, substance use and abuse;
2. Demonstrate practical skills focused on application of assessment of movement and exercise prescription;
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply skills and knowledge within a variety of health occupations, integrating ethical standards and best practices in their professional lives;
4. Demonstrate the ability to design and conduct a research project, analyze and interpret data, and present findings both orally and in writing.

To view course information, visit catalog.lcsc.edu

Kinesiology: Health and Fitness

This area emphasizes healthy behaviors, teaches behavioral changes, works with the aging population, and promotes overall health.  Can lead to a career in wellness coaching or as a health coordinator.  Students who graduate with a degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Health and Fitness will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of health, wellness, and behavior change principles, sports medicine, exercise prescription, exercise and special populations, nutrition, the psychology of exercise, stress management, and substance use and abuse;
2. Demonstrate practical skills focused on health and wellness through positive behavior change;
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply skills and knowledge within a variety of health and wellness facilities, integrating ethical standards and best practices in their professional lives.
4. Demonstrate the ability to design and conduct a research project, analyze and interpret data, and present findings both orally and in writing.

To view course information, visit catalog.lcsc.edu

Kinesiology: Sports Studies

This emphasis area leads to a general knowledge of Kinesiology because it incorporates information and coursework from all of the other three emphasis areas.  It can lead to graduate school in Sports Psychology, Social Culture of Sports, or Sport Administration.  Students who graduate with a degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sports Studies will be able to:

1. Understand the role of sport in American society;
2. Examine sports and physical activity from historical, psychological, sociological, and philosophical perspectives;
3. Identify and understand career paths and opportunities in sport-related fields;
4. Demonstrate the ability to design and conduct a research project, analyze and interpret data, and present findings both orally and in writing.

To view course information, visit catalog.lcsc.edu

Kinesiology: Coaching

This area can lead to a career in coaching at a middle/junior high school, high school, or college.  It prepares students to take the National Certification Exam in coaching.  Students who graduate with a degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Coaching will be able to:

1. Understand the roles and responsibilities of a coach in different performance and participation contexts;
2. Understand how to effectively plan, manage, and evaluate practice and competition sessions;
3. Understand how to provide a safe and healthy participatory environment;
4. Understand appropriate procedures for safe training practices and injury prevention;
5. Demonstrate the ability to design and conduct a research project, analyze and interpret data, and present findings both orally and in writing.

To view course information, visit catalog.lcsc.edu

 Kinesiology with Teacher Certification in Physical Education & Health

Students majoring in Kinesiology: Secondary Education PE/Health will prepare for a State of Idaho Standard Instructional Certificate with endorsements in Physical Education grades K-12 and Health education grades 6-12.  The major includes several courses with hands-on, practical experiences, in addition to a full semester of student-teaching in both PE and health classroom environments.

Students in this major must apply to and be accepted into the Teacher Education program in order to progress into the upper-level educational pedagogy of strategies, methods, and classroom management.  Students must also pass the required Praxis II content assessments in both Physical Education and Health Education.

Students in the Teacher Education program are expected to provide evidence through performance that they have become dedicated and knowledgeable professionals, content specialists, competent educational designers, capable educational facilitators, insightful educational evaluators, reflective professionals, and culturally responsive professionals before being recommended for teacher certification.

Secondary Education majors must have a content area advisor and a Secondary Education advisor.

For course information please visit catalog.lcsc.edu