Health and Kinesiology
The Department of Health and Kinesiology
offers degrees in health and in kinesiology. Several tracks are
offered for students who are interested in a career in either
of these two fields. All students majoring in the Department
of Health and Kinesiology are assigned an advisor in accordance
with their career choice.
The curricula in health and kinesiology
offer opportunities to obtain professional preparation for careers
as health education and physical education teachers in public
and private schools, coaches, sport administrators, community
health educators, clinical and applied exercise physiologists,
exercise scientists, recreational leaders (in non-school agencies),
outdoor education teachers and camp leaders. The department also
provides training for students interested in health-related professional
schools, e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, physicians'
assistant or medicine.
The Department of Health and Kinesiology
offers minors in Coaching, Dance and Outdoor Education. Each
minor consists of 18 credit hours. A list of courses and enrollment
information regarding the minor may be obtained from the Office
of Student Affairs in the Department of Health and Kinesiology.
The Department of Health and Kinesiology
also offers the Master of Education, Master of Science, Doctor
of Education and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
Teacher Certification
Students majoring in either health
or kinesiology may qualify for a Provisional Teaching Certificate
after being admitted to teacher education, completing the prescribed
requirements, and being recommended by the department to the
Texas Education Agency through the University's Council for
Teacher Education. Completion of this degree and other academic
requirements does not automatically assure that the student
will be recommended for a teaching certificate. Students interested
in Texas certification for a teaching career must apply for,
and be admitted to, the professional phase of teacher education.
See the section entitled "Requirements for Admission to
the Professional Phase of Teacher Education" for additional
information.
Students who propose to teach at the
secondary level are required to complete the provisional secondary
certificate in health or kinesiology. Students interested in
teaching physical education in grades Pre-K through 8 should
adhere to the specific requirements for that certification
program. The safety education component of the department offers
courses that enable interested students to obtain an endorsement
to teach driver education. Students should see an academic
advisor for specific courses.
Non-Certification Tracks
Students may seek a career other than
public school teaching. The department offers opportunities
in Community Health, Exercise Science, Sport Management and
Outdoor Education. Students are encouraged to declare career
intentions early so that appropriate course work and field
experiences may be planned. Students pursuing careers other
than teaching are not eligible for teacher certification. These
opportunities are briefly summarized in the following descriptions
of each track.
Students interested in obtaining a
degree must apply for, and be admitted to, the professional
phase of a specific track (i.e., Exercise Science, Sport Management,
Outdoor Education or Community Health). See the section entitled "Requirements
for Admission to the Professional Phase of Non-Certification
Tracks" for additional information.
Departmental Advising
Because of the wide variety of careers
in health and kinesiology and the difference in course requirements
for each, it is essential for students to take advantage of
the advising opportunities offered by the department. Students
are assigned to an academic advisor in accordance with their
career choice. Students are encouraged to declare career intentions
early so appropriate course work may be planned. All undergraduate
advising matters are handled by the advisors in the department's
Office of Student Affairs. Information concerning entrance
to professional schools in health-related fields is available
from the Office of Professional School Advising.
Students are encouraged to become involved
in professional organizations and extracurricular activities
that afford opportunities for becoming involved in their respective
professions.
General Requirements for Admission
to Professional Phase
The curricula in the Department of
Health and Kinesiology are composed of two phases: the pre-professional
phase and the professional phase. Upon acceptance into the
department, all students enter the pre-professional phase and
are assigned a lower-division classification in Health (EDHL)
or Kinesiology (EDKI). The pre-professional phase consists
of University Core Curriculum requirements and introductory
courses to the major field of study. After successful completion
of these requirements, students are accepted into the professional
phase and assigned an upper-level classification in Health
(HLTH) or Kinesiology (KINE). The professional phase consists
of advanced work in the major field of study and professional
development courses.
Requirements for Admission to the Professional
Phase of Teacher Education
The State of Texas establishes standards
for teacher education. All certification programs at Texas
A&M University are in compliance with these requirements.
Students must meet State, University, College of Education
and Human Development and department/program requirements for
matriculation into teacher education. Students are responsible
for contacting the Office of Student Affairs in the Department
of Health and Kinesiology to obtain information about specific
requirements, which include the following.
a. Physical Education: HLTH 216 and 231; KINE
121, 213, 240, 307 and 199M (4); COMM 203; BIOL 113 and 123;
TEFB 201 and 322; ZOOL 319.
b. School Health: HLTH 210, 231, 240
and 332; MATH (3); CHEM 101; BIOL 113 and 123; ZOOL
319.
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Successful admission to Professional
Phase of Teacher Education.
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A grade of C or better must be
made in each of the following: science, professional
development, major
and second teaching field courses (those courses
taken at Texas A&M and those taken elsewhere and transferred to Texas
A&M).
The following requirements must be
met by students seeking admission to the professional phase
of non-certification tracks in Health and Kinesiology.
a. Sport Management: KINE 199(2), 121, 213 and
240; HLTH 216 and 231; ACCT 209; BIOL 113/123; MGMT 209; COMM
203; ZOOL 319 or 320; PHYS 201.
b. Exercise Science: KINE 121, 213 and 240;
BIOL 113/123, 114/124; CHEM 101 and 102; MATH 131 and 141;
PHYS 201 and 202; ZOOL 319 or VAPH 305.
c. Community Health: HLTH 210, 231, 240 and
331; BIOL 113/123; CHEM 101; MATH (3); ZOOL 319.
d. Outdoor Education: KINE 199 Venture Dynamics
and Canoeing, 121, 213 and 240; HLTH 216 and 231; BIOL 113/123;
COMM 203; ZOOL 319 or 320; PHYS 201.
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Successful admission to Professional
Phase of Non-Certification Track.