Return to: Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation

Department Chair Camille Thomas – PE 214 – (435) 586-7815	Faculty & Staff
Administrative Assistant Joan M. Anderson – PE 217 – (435) 586-7816	Student Success Advisors
	Website

Overview of Programs

The Exercise Science major is designed to prepare students to promote safe, effective, and efficient human movement; encourage excellence in athletic performance, strength training, and conditioning; design exercise programs for diverse populations that will prevent and/or treat disease; motivate individuals to improve their quality of life through exercise, rehabilitation, and nutrition; and education others on nutrition, injury and illness prevention, and healthy living. Students graduating with a B.S. in Exercise Science are competitive applicants for entrance into graduate school in the exercise sciences; physical and occupational therapy school; chiropractic school; physician assistant programs; medical, dental, or optometry school; nursing programs; and alternative medicines. Students with a B.S. degree in Exercise Science have career options in community fitness, corporate fitness/wellness, and clinical fitness/exercise science.

The Physical Education in Teaching/Coaching degree is twofold. First, it is a certifiable major and minor approved for secondary teaching licensure at SUU. Please see Secondary Education Requirements for 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. Second, the PE Teaching/Coaching degree is designed to develop high quality coaches who possess an excellent understanding of coaching. The program of study provides you with understanding in coaching effectiveness, mental preparation and performance in sport, nutrition and conditioning for athletes, skill analysis, and athletic training.

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, educational organizations, 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, and tourism, or related areas of graduate study.

The Master of Athletic Training degree is designed to educate, mentor, and prepare students through didactic instruction, research investigation, and hands-on application of evidence-based practice to enter the profession of athletic training. This degree provides students with a personalized learning environment that fosters meaningful development through traditional course instruction and experiential education opportunities. With a focus involving the Head, Hands, and Heart (knowledge, skills and disposition), students will become competent and effective healthcare professionals who positively impact their patients’ health-related quality of life and contribute to the professional field of athletic training.

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 two (2) weeks. For degree-specific information, please see Master of Science in Sports Conditioning and Performance.

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’s 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:

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.

Physical Education in 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.

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 public.
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.

Master of Athletic Training

1. Properly apply prophylactic taping and bracing to active individuals for the purpose of injury prevention;
2. Employ techniques for clinical evaluation and diagnosis of athletic injuries and illnesses;
3. Explain and demonstrate appropriate emergency procedures and immediate care of life threatening conditions common to physical activity;
4. Explain and apply theoretical and practical application of therapeutic modalities;
5. Utilize the concepts of range of motion, strength, power, endurance, and return to activity for implementation of rehabilitation programs for the injured patient; and
6. Understand and administer necessary policies and procedures while effectively communicating with athletes, coaches, administrators, and other healthcare professionals.

Master of Science in 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.

Other Information

All Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation majors and minors are required to obtain a “C-” (1.7) or better grade in their major/minor coursework.

Programs

• Athletic Training (B.S.)
• Exercise Science (B.S.)
• Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism - Natural Resource Recreation Emphasis (B.S.)
• Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism - Outdoor Education Emphasis (B.S.)
• Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism - Tourism Emphasis (B.S.)
• Physical Education - Teaching/Coaching (B.S.)

• Health Education (Minor)
• Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism (Minor)
• Physical Education - Exercise Science Emphasis (Minor)
• Physical Education - Teaching/Coaching Emphasis (Minor)

Return to: Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation