Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation

Department Information

Department Chair: Camille Thomas
Physical Education 214 ~ (435) 586-7815

Administrative Assistant: Joan M. Anderson
Physical Education 217 ~ (435) 586-7816

Student Success Advisors:

Last Names A-J
Madalyn Swanson, madalynfogg@suu.edu
ED 321 ~ (435) 586-5420

Last Names K-Z
Katie Evans, katieevans1@suu.edu
ED 325 ~ (435) 586-5420

Athletic Training Advisor: Nathan Slaughter
Physical Education 212 ~ (435) 586-7823

Website: http://suu.edu/ed/pe/

Outdoor Recreation in Parks & Tourism Advisor: Kelly Goonan
Physical Education 205 ~ (435) 865-8098
kellygoonan@suu.edu
Website: http://suu.edu/ed/pe/orpt-major.html

Master of Science in Sport Conditioning and Performance Graduate Director: Mark DeBeliso
Physical Education 207 ~ (435) 586-7812
markdebeliso@suu.edu
Website :http://suu.edu/ed/pe/master.html

Faculty: Professors: Mark DeBeliso, Rick Lambson;
Associate Professors: Julie Taylor, Briget Eastep, Camille Thomas;
Assistant Professors: Abigail Larson, David Phillips, Kelly Goonan, Cody Bremner;
Non-Tenure Track Lecturers: Jacob Manning, Nathan Slaughter

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science

Degree Minors

Physical Education majors and minors are required to obtain a “C-” or better grade in their major/minor coursework.

Licensure to teach Physical Education in public schools may be obtained through the College of Education.

Overview of Programs

The Athletic Training Major is designed to prepare those students seeking a career as a Certified Athletic Trainer. Completion of the major will qualify students to take the certification exam administered by the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification. Successful completion of the exam will result in Certification as an Athletic Trainer by the NATABOC. A student in athletic training will learn to apply knowledge of human anatomy, human physiology, exercise physiology, kinesiology, conditioning, strength training, nutrition, and therapy in the prevention, evaluation, recognition, immediate care, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. For Degree specific information, such as Admissions criteria, please see Athletic Training Major

The Exercise Science degree is designed to provide students with knowledge and training that qualifies them for additional education through graduate studies in allied health programs and prepares them for careers related to the fitness, wellness, and sport industries, directors, and fitness coordinators.

The Physical Education in Teaching/Coaching degree is a certifiable major and minor approved for secondary teaching licensure at SUU. This degree prepares students for graduate studies and other careers related to fitness and sports performance. Please see degree requirements for Secondary Education Licensure. Some classes required for the licensure cannot be taken until the teacher candidate has been admitted to the Teacher Education Department. Please consult your advisor or the Teacher Education Department for further information.

The degree program in Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism is intended to provide students with training that qualifies them to work in a variety of work settings including recreation management agencies, outdoor and experiential education organizations, outdoor tourism companies, and outdoor recreation service and instruction programs. Employment opportunities typically exist with local, state and national agencies, protected natural areas, outdoor leadership and service programs, commercial recreation enterprises, and wilderness adventure/therapy organizations. Combined with the broad educational background provided by SUU’s Baccalaureate Core, this program will give students a wide range of opportunities upon graduation including solid preparation for graduate studies at Utah System of Higher Education’s Research I institutions in fields such as recreation resource management, parks and recreation, tourism; or related areas of graduate study.

The Master of Science Sports Conditioning and Performance degree is an innovative approach to meet the needs of coaches, physical educators, personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, physical therapists, athletic trainers and other fitness professionals. This degree offers extensive online course work in sports conditioning enabling professionals to design safe and effective exercise and conditioning programs. Three intensive summer courses will require students to attend clinical workshops on campus at SUU for 2 weeks. For Degree specific information, please see Masters of Science in Sport Conditioning and Performance M.S. in the Other Information section of this page.

Mission

Southern Utah University’s Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation (KOR) is a primary source for providing highly skilled physical educators, coaches, athletic trainers, and outdoor recreation professionals in a multi-state region. The mission of the Department of KOR is four fold:

1. To provide engaging and experiential training for students leading to a baccalaureate degree or a Master of Science in Sport Conditioning and Performance degree, and to open opportunities to earn specialized certifications in their chosen field of study.
2. To provide an educational and skill development service to all university students through elective activity and lecture courses.
3. To serve the region through professional service and outreach programs with schools and community organizations.
4. To promote teaching effectiveness, scholarly achievement, and professional service within the department faculty/staff. 

Department/Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating in KOR programs should be able to:

Physical Education: Teaching/Coaching

1. Describe and apply physiological, bio-mechanical, and motor learning principles and theory related to skillful movement, physical activity, and fitness.
2. Identify philosophical and social perspectives of PE/Coaching issues.
3. Analyze and correct critical elements of motor skills and performance.
4. Demonstrate personal competence in motor skill performance for a variety of physical activities.
5. Plan and implement progressive and sequential instruction/practice plans aligned with lesson/practice objectives that address the diverse needs of all students.
6. Implement effective demonstrations, explanations, instructional cues, and provide effective feedback for skill acquisition and student learning.
7. Select, create and use appropriate assessments to evaluate student learning and achievement of instructional goals and objectives.
8. Demonstrate behaviors that are consistent with the professional ethics of highly qualified teachers and coaches.

Exercise Science

1. Demonstrate a sound foundational knowledge and understanding of the applied and basic sciences as they relate to responses and adaptations to physical activity and exercise among the apparently healthy, diseased, and athletic population.
2. Perform basic laboratory skills pertaining to assessments, laboratory methods, and sound experimental and analytical practices, data acquisition and reporting in the exercise sciences.
3. Understand the importance and influence of physical activity and exercise on health and become an advocate for physically active lifestyles as a means to improve quality of life and reduce the risk and prevalence of lifestyle related diseases.
4. Demonstrate requisite skills and abilities for a career or continued education in various fields related to the exercise sciences.

Master of Science and Sport Conditioning and Performance

1. Demonstrate a command of content knowledge commensurate with a professional holding a Master’s Degree.
2. Apply their content knowledge and skills to think critically and ethically in examining issues and solving problems associated with the discipline.
3. Interpret, evaluate, synthesize and apply the professional literature of the discipline.
4. Effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, in academic and professional settings.
5. Demonstrate behaviors that are consistent with professional ethical standards.

Outdoor Recreation In Parks & Tourism

1. Demonstrate competence as a capable leader.
2. Demonstrate competence as a steward for outdoor recreation valuing natural and cultural resources in their life and work.
3. Utilize interdisciplinary knowledge in social science and sciences to make decisions and solve problems. Course work will include geology, biology, natural resources, hospitality management, and psychology.
4. Demonstrate competence as a risk manager.
5. Demonstrate competence in entry level administration and management skills and abilities
6. Demonstrate competence as an effective communicator, able to communicate with co-workers, supervisors, participants, peers, and appropriate publics.
7. Utilize common knowledge, technology, tools, and processes in their emphasis.
8. Value the history, philosophy, economic impact, and scope of outdoor recreation. Including comparing US outdoor recreation practices to other countries.

Athletic Training

1. Perform on-field, sideline, and off-field evaluation of athletic injuries for all parts of the body.
2. Conduct a neurological exam of the upper & lower extremities, including sensory, motor, and reflex testing.
3. Recognize the signs, symptoms and predisposing conditions associated with general medical conditions affecting the body.
4. Explain the purpose, evaluation procedures and components of the SOAP note procedure for injury and rehabilitation documentation.
5. To establish goals, objectives, and criteria for progression in the development of rehabilitation programs.
6. Implement specific exercises and techniques in the development of rehabilitation programs.
7. Describe the theoretical uses of the various types of therapeutic modalities.
8. Correctly demonstrate a variety of therapeutic modality techniques.
9. Develop and link athletic training policies, processes, and procedures.
10. Be able to develop a budget, implement a purchasing plan, and manage an inventory.
11. Understand the common design elements found in a well-planned athletic training facility.
12. Identify psychological/sociological factors in athletic training issues.
13. Demonstrate behaviors that are consistent with professional ethics of athletic trainers.

Other Information

Degree Specific Information

Athletic Training Major

Students will be selected in the Athletic Training Program in a three step process.

Admission Criteria
Application for admission into the Athletic Training Program requires the applicant to be in her/his sophomore year. Submit completed application by September 30th. The major requires five semesters to complete. A maximum of fifteen (15) students will be selected to enter the program each year. Each year, there are more students applying than can be accepted, so the process is competitive.

Candidates are admitted to the Athletic Training Program Spring semester after the completion of a formal admission process the previous Fall semester. Admission is based on measures of student performance in academic settings, personal recommendation, and personal interview. Notification of admittance occurs by the end of Fall semester.

Admission Requirements - current SUU students

• Overall GPA equal to or greater than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Completion of the following prerequisite classes with a grade of C or better or current enrollment.
• Advanced First Aid/CPR (PE 1543 ) or current cards
• Human Physiology with lab (BIOL 2420  & BIOL 2425 )
• Human Anatomy with lab (BIOL 2320  & BIOL 2325 )
• Athletic Training/Sports Medicine (PE 3080 /PE 3085 )

Admission Requirements - students transferring from another institution

• Admission to Southern Utah University
• Overall GPA equal to or greater than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Successful completion of courses (with a grade of C or better or current enrollment) comparable to the following which are provided at SUU.
• Advanced First Aid/CPR (PE 1543 ) or current cards
• Human Physiology with lab (BIOL 2420  & BIOL 2425 )
• Human Anatomy with lab (BIOL 2320  & BIOL 2325 )
• Athletic Training/Sports Medicine (PE 3080 /PE 3085 )

Credit transfer of the above listed courses is accepted only with permission of the Athletic Training Major Program Director.

Application Procedure

• Submission of Athletic Training Major application form, copy (front and back) of current First Aid and CPR card, and unofficial transcript by September 30th. The transcript is necessary to analyze overall GPA and to verify the completion of or current enrollment in prerequisite courses. Continuing SUU students are not expected to turn in a transcript (that information is obtained from the Banner program).
• Submit three recommendation questionnaires.

Admission Basis

Objective Section

• Application and unofficial transcript. Award 5 points if the application is complete and the required contents are attached.
• Proof of CPR/Standard First Aid from a Health Safety Education Agency (American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council). Points given for copy of current CPR and First Aid Card (5 points).
• Academic Prerequisite Courses (15 points).
• Overall Grade Point Average (10 points). Using unofficial transcript (Banner), award the applicant points according to overall grade point average.

Subjective Section

• Response to questions on application form (10 points).
• Personal recommendation (10 points).
• Personal interview of qualified candidates (10 points).

Qualified candidates are determined by their score on the objective section, response to questions on application form, and personal recommendation.

The Athletic Training Program faculty/staff will make the final decisions regarding acceptance into the program based upon the candidate’s total ranking on the admission criteria. All applying candidates will receive written notification from the program director indicating their acceptance or denial into the Athletic Training Program. A waiting list of three will be kept in the event one of the candidates accepted is unable to accept the position. A candidate may re-apply to the Athletic Training Program the following year but will need to repeat the application process. Upon acceptance into the Southern Utah University Athletic Training Program, the following will be required:

• Completion of a background check.
• Documentation of personal vaccination record and proof of completion required immunization. See Student Handbook.
• Completion of drug test.

Masters of Science in Sport Conditioning and Performance (MSSCP)

Application
Application information available through Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation