College of Education and Human Development

Kinesiology Program Launches a New B.S. Degree

It’s official!

“Kinesiology” at George Mason University is now its own degree.

This means that students now earn a widely marketable degree upon graduation.

Kinesiology is an exciting field that prepares students for a myriad of career options. At George Mason, the Kinesiology program focuses on providing students a comprehensive approach to the study of human movement.

“Our emphasis is on preparing future professionals so they can enhance physical performance, fitness, and general well being across the age spectrum,” said Margaret T. Jones, associate professor in the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism. 

Formerly a concentration, the Kinesiology program now offers students the opportunity to earn a degree that very specifically reflects what they have studied. “When employers and graduate schools see ‘kinesiology,’ they have an immediate sense of the depth of a student's knowledge, experience, and skills,” said Jones.

 

Anna Blessing, a Kinesiology major, participates in the George Mason Kinesiology Club's activities at the Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center.

 

The separate degree also reflects how much the Kinesiology program at George Mason has grown. It’s a popular major across the country, and at Mason more than 200 undergraduates are now enrolled. Even so, for many the term “kinesiology” is an unfamiliar one, and the field is sometimes referred to as “exercise science” or "exercise physiology."

 

 

Kinesiology major Patrick Carr gave a poster presentation at the annual National Strength and Conditioning Association conference in Las Vegas.

 

Not surprisingly, students who participate in sports, yoga, or other physical activities are naturally attracted to the Kinesiology major and minor.

The scientific rigor of the program is evident. Required classes include similar science courses to those that pre-med or pre-physical therapy students take. Undergraduate research opportunities abound, with students often participating in OSCAR research and taking part in laboratory experiences at the cutting-edge Sports Medicine Assessment Research & Testing Lab.

 

Students from the Kinesiology seminar class, with Assistant Professor Joel Martin (right), visited Next Level Training to hear owner Colby Shreckengost discuss what it takes to succeed in the fitness industry. 

 

Upon graduation, many kinesiology students find rewarding careers in fitness, coaching, and health. Those who opt for further graduate study find the program is excellent preparation for careers in medicine, physical therapy, and human movement.

Students are required to complete four internships in three different settings, which totals more than 700 out-of-class hours. This extensive amount of fieldwork experience results in opportunities to explore different facets of the field, such as recent graduate Nicole Clark's memorable internship experience at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. 

The Kinesiology program at George Mason University is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and nationally recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), one of the few programs in the country to hold both credentials. 

The students in the program are a cohesive group that recently founded the George Mason Kinesiology Club, which is advised by Assistant Professor Joel Martin (the group has its own Facebook page).

To learn more about the Kinesiology program, visit rht.gmu.edu/kinesiology, make an appointment with an advisor at https://rht.gmu.edu/advise, or email srht@gmu.edu.

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See also:

• Gaining New Perspective With Wounded Warriors »
• Running Blogger "Deb Runs" Reviews 3-D Gait Analysis at the SMART Lab »
• Kinesiology Program Earns National CAAHEP Accreditation »
• Moving SMART-ly: Lab Helps Athletes Avoid Injury »
• Kinesiology Student Receives Award for Research in Prostheses at Walter Reed »

 

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About CEHD

George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) includes two schools: the Graduate School of Education, one of the most comprehensive education schools in Virginia, and the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism. CEHD offers a full range of courses, certificates, and degree programs on campus, online, and on site to more than 4,000 students each year. CEHD is fully accredited by NCATE, and all licensure programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education. George Mason University, located just outside of Washington, DC, is Virginia's largest public research university.

For additional information:

• CEHD Communications: cehdnews@gmu.edu
• School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism: rht.gmu.edu
• Kinesiology program: www.facebook.com/MasonCEHD or Twitter at @MasonCEHD.