Why Kinesiology at the University of Virginia
The American College of Sports Medicine promotes “Exercise Is Medicine” and has been instrumental in educating our society about the important connection between fitness, health, and well-being. Here at UVA, we have a long tradition related to the importance of exercise and activity. Thomas Jefferson said “Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning.”
In the Kinesiology program at UVA, students complete rigorous academic course work such as
Anatomy
Exercise Physiology
Contemporary Health Issues
Nutrition
Athletic Injuries
Motor Development
Neuromuscular Bases of Human Movement
Students learn from well–respected experts in the field who have a passion for sharing their knowledge and research with students.
Students get the “human element” by completing practica related to their career goals. A wide variety of practicum sites are available, including physical therapy clinics, sports performance labs, medically-supervised exercise programs, fitness centers, and schools settings. As a Kinesiology major, students get the opportunity to work with athletes, healthy adults, clinical populations, and/or children. They work side-by-side with experienced professionals in the field, including physical therapists, athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, nurses, physicians, dietitians, and teachers.
Take a look at this list of practicum sites currently hosting our students.
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Admissions for Current First Year Students: Class of 2015
Current first year students interested in may apply to Kinesiology in the fall of their first year. (application deadline: November 1, 2011). Students should be in excellent academic standing. Students should work on general education requirements their first year, including 12 hours in the Humanities (including ENWR 1505 or equivalent), 9 hours in the Social Sciences, (including SOC (any number) and PSYC (any number); 3 hours of cultural literacy (any course the College considers non-Western perspective) and 13 hours in the Natural Sciences (BIOL 2010/2020 with 2030/2040 and MATH 1210 or higher plus, a second writing requirement. Students who are admitted will take EDHS 3500 Introduction to Kinesiology and BIOL 2060 Spring 2012
Application due date for current first year students: Nov. 1, 2011 (Application)
Admissions for Current Second Year Students: Class of 2014
Current second year students may apply to Kinesiology in the spring semester of 2012. (application deadline: February 15, 2012) after completing the first two years in the College (or other school). Students should be in excellent academic standing and should have completed (or be in the process of completing) 12 hours in the Humanities (including ENWR 1505 or equivalent), 12 hours in the Social Sciences, (including SOC (any number) and PSYC (any number) and 12 hours in the Natural Sciences (BIOL 2010/2020 with 2030/2040 and one course in a natural science other than Biology); plus, a second writing requirement.
Application due date for current second year students: Feb. 15. 2012 (Application)
Want to find out more?
Email Kineug@virginia.edu or attend an information session. Current students may use the email above or plan to attend an information session in the fall. All sessions will be held in Bavaro Hall. The final information session for the fall 2011 semester is 1 pm on Dec. 7th.
Sessions are not required for admission, but provide a forum to ask questions specifically about the Kinesiology major and find out more about graduate programs in allied health fields (physical therapy, athletic training, nutrition, exercise physiology, etc.).
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Degree Requirements
All undergraduate students in Kinesiology take general education courses (37 credits) in the humanities and natural and social sciences, and core Kinesiology courses (27 credits), such as anatomy, exercise physiology, motor development, biomechanics, and contemporary health issues. Based on their career goals, they take additional prescribed courses (12 credits) and electives (6 credits) in Kinesiology. Students have a lot of freedom to choose from a wide variety of courses and experiences so that they may be exposed to the many different aspects of the field. In addition to the 82 credits described above, students take 38 credits of general electives related to their career path. For example:
:: those who plan to apply to Medical School or a Physician Assistant program will take additional science and clinical courses.
:: those who plan to apply to Physical Therapy School or a graduate program in Athletic Training will take additional electives in Sports Medicine.
:: those who plan to apply to graduate school in Exercise Physiology, Nutrition, or Public Health will take additional courses in exercise science and nutrition.
:: students who wish to pursue graduate training in Adapted Physical Education or Teaching School Health and Physical Education will take electives in those areas.
37 (general education) + 45 Kinesiology specific + 38 general electives = 120 credits
At UVA, there are four sub-disciplines within the Kinesiology Program at the graduate level: Adapted Physical Education, Athletic Training/Sports Medicine, Exercise Physiology, and Health and Physical Education.
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What You Can Do with a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology
Employment
Upon graduating, students may find employment in the fitness or wellness industry, employer wellness programs, or coaching.
Graduate School
Many students, upon graduation, pursue graduate study in the following areas:
Medicine
Allied Health
:: Exercise Physiology
:: Physical Therapy
:: Occupational Therapy
:: Nutrition
:: Physician Assistant
:: Public Health
Health or Physical Education
:: Teaching Health and P.E.
:: Adapted Physical Education
