Kinesiology

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Purpose and Focus

The Bachelor of Science degrees offered by the Department of Kinesiology allow the student to pursue the study of human movement and performance in the context of both basic and applied science. Students have the opportunity to explore the physiological, biomechanical, and social-psychological aspects of human movement and performance. The degree programs are designed to integrate theory and practice to prepare the student for the application of the principles in public and private agencies as well as to prepare the student for advanced study in the field of Kinesiology.

Undergraduate Majors

Athletic Training
Kinesiological Sciences

Areas of Concentration

Kinesiological Sciences: Allied Health
Kinesiological Sciences: Comprehensive
Kinesiological Sciences: Fitness Management

Program Descriptions

Athletic Training

The Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training is designed for students interested in the treatment and prevention of athletic injuries. Students majoring in Athletic Training will follow a curriculum accredited by the CAAHEP. The Athletic Training Education program (ATEP) at UNLV is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in it. In addition to completing core courses in kinesiology and the university general education requirements, students will complete course work in basic and advanced athletic training, therapeutic exercise and modalities, evaluation and rehabilitation of upper and lower extremities, and other athletic training-related topics. Successful completion of the curriculum prepares and qualifies the student to take the certification examination offered by the Board of Certification (BOC). In addition to classroom preparation, clinical experience is required. Athletic training majors must complete the five semesters of clinical experience which could be either at UNLV or in a local high school. Each student is assigned to an approved clinical instructor (ACI) for a minimum of 200 hours per semester during the final four semesters of the program.

The successful student must be willing to make the personal sacrifice and commitment to spending many hours working on educational competencies over the five semesters they are in the program. Upper-division students are assigned to an approved clinical instructor at UNLV or at a local high school, and each is responsible for assisting a clinical instructor in the medical care of student athletes.

There are several areas of employment for the certified athletic trainer, including professional and collegiate sports programs, high school sports, sports medicine clinics, private and/or hospital physical therapy clinics, and corporate and industrial settings. The Athletic Training degree program is competitive, and students must maintain a 2.8 cumulative GPA to remain in the Athletic Training major. For further information, students are encouraged to consult www.unlv.edu/athletics/training. Students interested in applying should contact Dr. Brent Mangus who is the Athletic Training Program Director at brent.mangus@unlv.edu, phone 702-895-3158.

The technical standards set forth by the ATEP establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-level Athletic Trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency (CAAHEP). The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to the Athletic Training Educational Program. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will not be admitted into the program.

Compliance with the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for the national BOC exam.

Candidates for selection to the Athletic Training Educational Program at UNLV must demonstrate:

• The mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts, and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm.
• Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques and to accurately, safely, and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients.
• The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively. Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice.
• The ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately.
• The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress.
• The perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the athletic training education program as outlined and sequenced. This includes reporting to campus on or about August 1 each year for orientation and to begin clinical experience (may include work during early mornings, late evenings, weekends and time outside of the academic calendar).
• Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations.
• Effective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

Kinesiological Sciences — Allied Health

The Allied Health specialization option provides education and training for students who wish to prepare for advanced study in medicine, physical therapy, or other health or allied health fields.

Kinesiological Sciences — Comprehensive

The Comprehensive Specialization option provides students the opportunity to pursue basic and applied studies of the physiological , biomechanical, and social-psychological aspects of human movement and performance.

Kinesiological Sciences — Fitness Management

The Fitness Management specialization option provides education and training in the implementation and direction of physical fitness and conditioning programs in both the public and private sectors.

Admission to the Major

Athletic Training: GPA 2.80
Kinesiological Sciences: GPA 2.50

Admission Policies

Kinesiological Sciences Majors

Students must meet the School of Allied Health Sciences minimum GPA requirement of 2.50 for admission into this department. A student with less than a 2.50 GPA may be admitted as a probationary student with the approval of the chair and/or the faculty.

Athletic Training Majors

The application process for the Athletic Training Educational Program takes place only during the fall semester. The application process for admission into the program is competitive, and merely completing the application process does not guarantee admission into the program. A maximum number of students will be accepted each year. To be eligible for admission to the Athletic Training Education Program, students must:

• Have successfully completed or be currently enrolled in SIM 101, Introduction to Athletic Training (or equivalent) and Anatomy (i.e., BIOL 223, KIN 245, or equivalent). Each class must be completed with a passing grade to be admitted into the program.
• Have a UNLV cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher.
• Attend the clinical orientation meeting during the third week of fall semester to obtain information regarding the clinical application process and to set up an observation schedule in the UNLV athletic training facility. The actual date, time, and location will be available from the program director the first week of fall semester. All application materials will be provided at the orientation meeting.
• Complete 25 hours of observation in the UNLV athletic training facilities during the five-week observation period.
• Have two recommendation forms completed. The UNLV athletic training faculty and staff may not complete these forms.
• Complete and turn in application and recommendation forms to the program director by the posted deadline.
• Pass the written entrance examination in November. A passing grade is 70 percent or higher.

An application committee consisting of three to five clinical faculty and staff will score applications and interviews. The top 20 students will be invited for an interview with the athletic training faculty and staff. Selection for interviews will be based on GPA, written exam scores, and an application score (determined from letters of recommendation, previous clinical experience, and essays included in the application). Each of the three components will be scored on a scale of 100, and the sum total will be used to rank candidates. The interview will be scored on a scale of 100 and will be added to the average score from the three criteria listed above. (This total score will be accepted into the Clinical Athletic Training Educational Program, which begins January of the following year. The remaining eight students will be alternates for the program). Students accepted into the program are required to declare Athletic Training as their major.

Transfer Policies

Fitness Management and Kinesiological Sciences Majors

Transfer students must meet the School of Allied Heath Sciences minimum GPA requirement of 2.50 for admission into this department. Students wishing to transfer credit toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology or Fitness Management must schedule a formal meeting with a departmental faculty representative or the department chairperson.

Athletic Training Majors

Transfer students must meet the Athletic Training Education Program Director prior to the beginning of the summer session to initiate a transfer into the program. Transfer students are accepted only during the summer session.

Department Policies

Progress Toward a Degree

Full-time students in kinesiology are considered to be making progress towards a degree if they maintain a minimum enrollment of 12 credit hours in courses that apply toward their degree program. In addition, students must enroll in at least one required major course (KIN or SIM, or ATT prefix) each term they enroll until all of their major course requirements are completed. Failure to maintain minimum progress toward a degree may result in the student being placed on probation. Continued enrollment in non-degree-related courses will result in suspension.

Academic Standards

Fitness Management and Kinesiological Sciences Majors.

Any student who does not have an overall UNLV GPA of 2.50 or higher at the end of a given semester will be placed on probation for the next semester. Any student whose UNLV GPA falls below 2.00 or who shows a negative grade point balance of -1.00 to -14.90 will be placed on both school and university probation. Failure to earn a GPA of 2.50 or higher in each of two successive semesters may lead to department suspension. The department will suspend a student in accordance with the university suspension policy if the UNLV grade point balance falls to -15.00 or below after the student has received a probation warning.

Athletic Training Majors

Students must maintain a 2.80 cumulative GPA during their five-semester program.

Probationary Status

Students admitted on probationary status will be required to complete and sign a mandatory two-semester advisement contract prior to registering for any classes. During these two semesters, probationary students will be required to complete a minimum of 12 credits in their degree program as designated by the department. Credits earned in summer session may be applied toward the 12 credits. Probationary students must achieve at least a 2.50 GPA in each of the two semesters. A review of the student’s academic work will be conducted at the end of the first semester. Failure to achieve the minimum GPA may result in suspension. Extensions, amendments, or appeals of mandatory advising contracts will be made on a case-by-case basis with the recommendation of the department chair and the approval of the school Academic Standards Committee. Athletic Training majors may be placed on probationary status for either academic or behavioral reasons and will need to complete the probationary program as outlined in the ATEP student manual each student receives upon official acceptance into the program.

Advisement

Every student in the Department of Kinesiology is expected to have a schedule approved each term, in advance of registration, by his or her assigned academic advisor. Failure to seek advisement may result in delays in the anticipated date of graduation.

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