Kinesiology Concentrations
Clinical Exercise Science
The Clinical Exercise Science (CLEC) Concentration is designed for students interested in learning how to use exercise in clinical settings. The importance of exercise as preventive and curative medicine is becoming increasingly clear, and the need for individuals educated in this area is expected to grow substantially in the coming decades. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.4 million new jobs.
The CLEC concentration prepares student for emerging disciplines such as Exercise is Medicine, which is projected by ACSM to grow steadily as the population in the USA ages and becomes more sedentary. Students who complete this concentration and earn their Bachelor’s Degree will be well prepared to take the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist exam, and earn the ACSM Exercise is Medicine credential. Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologists and Exercise is Medicine credentialed individuals will be able to competently perform fitness assessments, design exercise prescriptions and implement therapeutic exercise programs to positively impact numerous health conditions. The courses in the concentration will also prepare students to pursue graduate studies and research in exercise physiology and nutrition related areas, as well as allied health disciplines such as Physical and Occupational Therapy, among others.
Students at both the undergraduate and graduate level have access to the Department of Kinesiology’s state-of-the-art research facilities. Students choosing the Clinical Exercise Science concentration may utilize the Department’s Metabolic, Nutrition and Exercise Science (MiNER) Laboratory to facilitate group and individual research projects under the direction of faculty dedicated to this field of study.
Clinical Exercise Science Degree Plan
ACSM Exercise is Medicine: What is the EIM Solution:
American College of Sports Medicine YouTube Channel
Human Fitness and Performance
The Human Fitness and Performance (HUFP) Concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in health-related fitness professions for youth, adult and geriatric populations, and athletic performance across the lifespan. It prepares students for possible certification in personal training and strength and conditioning by national organizations such as ACSM and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Fitness and physical performance related professions are expected to continue to grow during the next two decades. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.4 million new jobs.
The Clinical Exercise Science and Human Fitness and Performance (HFP) concentrations provide students interested in physical therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation counseling and others with a strong undergraduate foundation in the sciences and Kinesiology. The elective course section on the degree plans allows students to complete the prerequisite courses for a graduate program of interest. For example, students who want to pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy at UTEP can complete their prerequisite courses for admission to Physical Therapy as elective courses on the CES or HFP degree plans.
Students at both the undergraduate and graduate level have access to the Department of Kinesiology’s state-of-the-art research facilities. Students choosing the Human Fitness and Performance concentration may utilize the Department’s Fitness Research Facility to facilitate group and individual research projects under the direction of faculty dedicated to this field of study.
Human Fitness and Performance Degree Plan
From Nothing to Nike — Climbing the Ladder in the Fitness Training Industry:
How to Build a Successful Long-term Coaching Career, with Allen Hedrick:
Becoming a Personal Trainer, with Amy B. Thompson:
Opening Your Own Training Facility, with Jay Dawes:
Developing a Career in TSAC , with Katie Sell:
Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE)
The Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) Concentration is specifically designed to prepare students for a career as physical education teachers in the public schools. The PETE concentration is founded on the SHAPE America national standards and the TExES Physical Edcuation EC-12 standards. These standards require that students possess a substantial level of physical fitness and can perform a great variety of motor skills. Students are expected to be physically fit upon entering this concentration and maintain that level of physical fitness throughout. Similarly, students are expected to be able to perform fundamental movement skills such as kicking, throwing, basic gymnastic moves, and locomotor skills. Students who perform those skills poorly will be given an opportunity to learn and improve, but will have to meet satisfactory levels of performance prior to enrolling in internship.
The PETE concentration requires admission to the Educator Preparation Program in the College of Education, successful completion of the THEA, a comprehensive Physical Education content examination, and passing the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) teacher certification examination before being admitted to student teaching. The student teaching internship requires that student teachers spend 5 full work days per week for an entire semester in the public schools improving their teaching skills. This is the culminating learning experience and it is not financially compensated, but students may receive financial aid. This concentration is appropriate for those students who are committed to becoming teachers of physical education, a highly rewarding and challenging profession. This concentration is NOT designed to educate athletic coaches. Student who seek a career in athletics are advised to find educational opportunities elsewhere.
Physical Education Teacher Education Degree Plan
SHAPE America – 50 Million Strong by 2029:
