Kinesiology

Career potential

Kinesiology is the study of human movement. The University of North Texas' kinesiology program offers a complete curriculum that will prepare you for a variety of careers in the public and private sectors and in teaching. A teacher certification program is available, which is a standard all-level certificate in physical education (kinesiology) at the bachelor's level.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.

Majoring in kinesiology

As a kinesiology major, you must take a 24-hour theory core and a 5-hour performance core. In the theory core, you will study the behavioral, historical, mechanical, physiological, psychological and sociological foundations of exercise and sport. The performance core involves the development of skill and knowledge in specific forms of dance, exercise and sport. You will complete your degree requirements by taking electives in coaching, health fitness, programs for children or sports administration.

As a student, you will have access to the 138,000-square-foot Pohl Recreation Center. The center has a lap pool, leisure pool, indoor soccer gymnasium, weight and fitness room, walking and jogging track, aerobics rooms, a climbing wall and courts for basketball, badminton and volleyball.

You can obtain training in physiological testing and may conduct research with faculty members in exercise physiology, human performance, physical activity, psychology of sport, sociology of sport and sport pedagogy.

Departmental scholarships are available to you. You may apply for these scholarships upon entering UNT.

Getting hands-on experience

To teach in public schools, you will need to complete an internship year, consisting of 55 hours of field observation, followed by one semester of student teaching, before you can be recommended for certification. If you want a career in kinesiology other than teaching, the department may assist with internships in hospitals, clinics, fitness centers and sports clubs.

Upon completion of 12 semester hours at UNT with at least a 2.5 GPA, you may work in a job related to your major through UNT's Cooperative Education and Internships office. You may earn academic credit and money and gain valuable work experience. Co-op employers pay extremely well, and the jobs usually last several semesters, often until graduation.

More than 1,800 employers work with the office to provide excellent learning opportunities, many of which become permanent full-time positions upon graduation. The office also assists with placing students in internships, which last for one full semester or summer.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science — economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/advisor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Charting your path with academic advising

You may schedule an appointment with the kinesiology coordinator of undergraduate programs before enrolling for classes. Group advising sessions are held during new student orientation. These sessions will provide you an overview of the degree requirements and a tentative semester schedule. You also will meet individually with an academic advisor to discuss a degree plan.

The Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation's main office is in the Physical Education Building, Room 209.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.