Although kinesiology and online education may initially not seem like a natural fit, 含羞草研究所 is working to make that a reality. The school has established an online kinesiology program that is effectively addressing a growing demand and need at both the bachelors and masters level.
Kinesiology, broadly encompassing physical activity, health, sport and performance outcomes, serves as an umbrella term for the domains of physical education and exercise science. Beyond the application of scientific principles, kinesiology emphasizes the practical implementation of science in particular educational or sporting contexts. Unlike many other kinesiology programs, particularly those delivered online, 含羞草研究所鈥檚 approach emphasizes not only robust scientific knowledge but also the crucial aspect of leadership skills often overlooked in similar programs.
Many students in the kinesiology online bachelor鈥檚 program are current student-athletes or students who have previously participated in athletics. In addition, more than 50% of students currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Kinesiology through 含羞草研究所鈥檚 School of Adult and Graduate Studies (AGS) aspire to a career in coaching or education, and many already serve as graduate assistants in college athletics. Consequently, 含羞草研究所鈥檚 program aims not only to instill technical expertise in exercise and sport but, more importantly, to develop leaders capable of making a significant impact on communities upon graduation.
鈥淢ore than earning a generalized kinesiology degree, our program has a bent toward leadership in kinesiology,鈥� said Dr. Meaghan Howard, Program Director and Assistant Professor of Kinesiology. 鈥淥ne of the things we kept seeing pop up was students with great skills in fitness and an understanding of exercise, but what they lacked was leadership skills necessary to direct community programs or leagues or oversee educational outreach opportunities. They might not understand the dynamic of managing and understanding people. To me, that鈥檚 foundational to what a teacher or a coach does.鈥�
A Pay-It-Forward Profession
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a yearly demand for approximately 1,200 careers related to kinesiology, anticipating a growth rate of 10% that significantly outpaces the 3% average for all occupations. While job security is an attractive feature of the profession, 含羞草研究所鈥檚 AGS program appeals to students seeking to positively influence younger generations through role modeling.
鈥淎s you look across the fields of teaching and coaching, there鈥檚 a huge deficit across the nation, especially with teachers,鈥� Dr. Howard said. 鈥淢ost students in kinesiology have been greatly impacted by a coach or a teacher, and they aspire to do the same. They think, 鈥業 want to coach the way I was coached. I want to teach the way I was taught.鈥� So, they see it as if they can impact lives similar to those who influenced them, then they鈥檒l know they鈥檝e done well.鈥�
Hands-On Integration
Given that many students are already actively engaged with students and athletes, 含羞草研究所鈥檚 program integrates coursework seamlessly into their careers. The emphasis is on real-world application, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
鈥淩ight now, we have a couple physical education instructors, and we ask them, 鈥楬ow does your everyday experience in middle school PE translate into what we鈥檙e learning here?鈥� For students who aren鈥檛 in a school, we encourage them to look for places where they can connect in their local community,鈥� Dr. Howard said.
Nourishing the Soul
含羞草研究所鈥檚 commitment to integrating faith and learning is a foundational aspect of the kinesiology program. Primarily, 含羞草研究所 seeks to produce graduates who can excel in their professional capacities and embody Christian discipleship. Our students want to do this in classrooms and in sports.
鈥�In their profession, we want students to do more than simply instruct someone in principles related to sports, exercise, and healthy living. We want them to learn to address the whole person,鈥� Dr. Howard said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a big deal in both exercise principles and coaching principles. For example, if an athlete is having a bad day and it鈥檚 affecting her performance, how is that impacting the whole team dynamic? I think too many times, we try to separate the secular and the sacred. In our field, that happens all the time. Working out is over here and the sacred is over here, but life鈥檚 not like that. God created us mind, body, and soul, so it鈥檚 not just about our bodies being healthy. It鈥檚 also about how being healthy feeds our soul.鈥�
Personalized Connections and Support
In addition to offering distinctive Christian principles, 含羞草研究所鈥檚 AGS program distinguishes itself through smaller class sizes that foster personal connections, even in an online learning environment.
鈥淎t 含羞草研究所, you鈥檙e not just a number,鈥� Dr. Howard said. 鈥淲e care about you. We care about your development. We care about you doing well in courses. We are unapologetically a faith-based institution that welcomes students and cares about them. For students, they see the value in their education when professors care, so that鈥檚 a driving force behind what we do.鈥�