The Department of Kinesiology offers up-to-date research and teaching facilities including laboratories for human performance, metabolism, body composition, resistance training, plethysmography, bone density, health fitness, biochemistry, and youth fitness.Kinesiology Options.

Students are strongly advised to seek guidance from their advisor in planning their course of study and choosing a focus area.

Exercise Science Option.

The exercise science option prepares students to analyze physical activity, exercise, and sport in a physiological context. The Exercise Science Pre-Professional Track emphasizes basic sciences courses. This track is for students considering careers or graduate degrees in health care professions such as clinical exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. The Applied Exercise Science Track promotes the understanding of the health benefits of physical activity and is designed for students interested in becoming health fitness or strength and conditioning specialists. Career opportunities exist in corporate, community, commercial and hospital-based fitness and wellness centers. The Applied Exercise Science track also prepares students for graduate study in exercise science, health fitness, health promotion, preventive medicine and related fields. Exercise science students will be prepared to become certified as a health fitness specialist, strength and conditioning specialist, or personal trainer. Students in this option are required to have a cumulative grade point average from core exercise science courses of 2.50 or higher before completing supervised field work.

Health and Physical Education Teacher Education (HPE) Option.

This option is designed for students seeking teacher certification in physical education and/or health education and/or adapted physical education at the elementary and secondary levels. Completion of the NCATE approved certification program fulfills the requirement for teacher certification in Rhode Island and the majority of other states. Students interested in undergraduate teacher education programs must apply for admission to URI’s Office of Teacher Education. Applications for admission to teacher education programs are normally submitted during the sophomore year. A departmental screening committee reviews the applications. The committee’s decision is based on the following criteria: 1) recommendations from faculty and others who have knowledge of the candidate’s experience or interest in working in education; 2) a writing sample expressing career goals, experience working with children, and expectations as a teacher; 3) passing scores on the Praxis I core tests ; 4) interview with presentation of admission portfolio; 5) completion of at least 30 credits of coursework including KIN 270; and 6) an overall GPA of 2.50 or better and grades of C or better in KIN 270, COM 100, and WRT 104 or 106. If denied admission, students can petition the department for a decision review. Applicants who fail to gain admission should seek counsel from an appropriate advisor. Students may reapply for admission to the teacher education program but should understand that this may delay their anticipated graduation date. Students in the physical and health education teacher education program are required to have a cumulative grade point average of 2.70 or higher in KIN courses before student teaching (EDC 486/7). Students in the physical and health education teacher education certification and licensure program are required to take and pass the Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Test, Health Education Content Knowledge Test, and the Physical Education Content Knowledge Test prior to student teaching. Contact the Office of Teacher Education for the “passing” scores required for each test. Students who do not achieve a passing score on the Praxis II exams may complete their degree in Youth Movement Sciences. A new MATCP in HPE option is available for graduate students. Students will be eligible for teacher certification in physical education and/or health education and/or adapted physical education.