Degree Requirements

Undergraduate Programs

The candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in kinesiology can select from one of three concentrations:

  • P-12 Teaching Physical Education degree requirements

Students in the P-12 Teaching Physical Education concentration are typically seeking Arkansas state teaching licensure in Physical Education, Wellness and Leisure. The students may also be seeking an endorsement in coaching.

  • Exercise Science-Pre-Professional Science degree requirements

The Exercise Science-Pre-Professional Science concentration prepares students who are seeking opportunities in the allied health science field, medical school, physical therapy school, physician's assistant school, occupational therapy school, dental school, chiropractor school or other post-baccalaureate professional programs of study. Students could use this degree in preparation for graduate studies in the areas of exercise physiology and/or biomechanics. In additional to the professional programs listed above, this concentration could result in a job teaching at the college level, or work in research in these areas.

  • Applied Exercise Science degree requirements

Students with the Applied Exercise Science concentration may be employed by hospitals or other fitness areas to write and implement exercise prescriptions for individuals. This is an appropriate concentration for students interested in being a personal trainer or strength and conditioning coach. This program of study is also for students who are interested in exercise science with a core of athletic training courses and may desire continuing in a graduate program to become a Certified Athletic Trainer.

Graduate Programs

Candidates for the M.S. degree in kinesiology with a concentration in either adapted movement science or exercise science must complete 27 semester hours of graduate work and a thesis or 33 hours without a thesis. The athletic training masters program requires 51 semester hours of graduate work and an independent research project or thesis. In addition, all degree candidates must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination.

A minimum of 96 graduate credit hours beyond the baccalaureate is required for the doctoral degree. A doctoral advisory committee will be established by the student in consultation with the coordinator of graduate study during the first semester of enrollment subsequent to acceptance into the degree program. If competency cannot be determined, successful completion of a primary examination may be required of the student prior to the completion of 48 hours of graduate coursework beyond the bachelor's degree or as soon after admission to the doctoral degree program as possible. The degree program also requires successful completion of candidacy examinations, acceptable doctoral dissertation, and oral defense of the dissertation.