Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences

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Purpose and Focus

The Bachelor of Science degrees offered by the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences include courses of study in three major areas: Athletic Training, Kinesiology, and Nutrition Sciences. Students choosing to major in Athletic Training or Kinesiology pursue the study of human movement and performance in the context of both basic and applied science. They have the opportunity to explore the physiological, biomechanical, and social-psychological aspects of human movement and performance. Students majoring in Nutrition Sciences complete coursework in the areas of basic sciences, human nutrition, and clinical dietetics. Students majoring in Nutrition Sciences have the opportunity to earn the Registered Dietitian Credential. 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 and Nutrition Sciences.

Undergraduate Majors

Athletic Training
Kinesiology
Nutrition Sciences

Graduation Requirements

A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for graduation with 60 credits earned at a four-year institution. Students are required to complete all university core requirements for the baccalaureate degree. Graduates of baccalaureate degree programs from accredited colleges or universities who are seeking second baccalaureate degrees may need to fulfill some additional core education requirements.

Advisement

Newly admitted students are assigned by the Office of the Registrar & Admissions to the Division of Health Sciences Advising Center for advisement and counseling. Students should meet with their advisor each semester The advisor will assist the student in course selection and program advancement. Students will be made aware of other student services provided on campus as the need arises.

 Department Policies

Progress Toward a Degree

Full-time students in 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, or NUTR prefix) each term in which they are enrolled 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 and may ultimately lead to suspension.

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.

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.

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 Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education CAATE. 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 2.75 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 Tedd Girouard the Athletic Training Program Director at tedd.girouard@unlv.edu, phone 702-895-2457.

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 (CAATE). 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.

Admission to the Major

Athletic Training: GPA 2.75
Students must maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA during their five-semester program.

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 2.75 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.

Athletic Training Majors

 Transfer students must contact 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.
Students may transfer to UNLV in the spring, summer or fall. Being accepted by the university does NOT automatically guarantee acceptance into the ATEP. A transfer student must apply for entry into the Athletic Training Education Program. There are two distinct methods of application to the UNLV ATEP and a transfer student can choose either if they meet the minimum qualifications of the method chosen.
 

• Fall application (with the majority of students at UNLV)
• Spring / Summer application

Fall Application

The preferred method for students who want to transfer to UNLV and obtain a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training degree would be to initiate the application process in the fall semester of the school year. The student must meet the prerequisites, which include:
 

1. completing the application, essays, and reference letters,
2. performing 25 hours of observation,
3. passing the entrance exam, and
4. completing an on campus interview,
5. completing the required coursework as outlined (SIM 101 and anatomy) and maintain an overall 2.75 grade point average.
 

The transfer student is eligible to complete the fall application process and if accepted, must start with the spring semester cohort. If the transfer student cannot document that they have been supervised by an ATC as an athletic training student for a minimum of 250 hours at the community college or university level prior to applying, they must follow the above outlined application procedure.

Spring / Summer Application

The second method for the transfer student to enter the UNLV ATEP requires the documentation of a minimum of 250 contact hours directly supervised by an ATC at the community college, junior college, or university setting. If this requirement is met, the prospective transfer student must contact the Athletic Training Education Program Director to determine if there is room available in the cohort. By initiating the application process in the spring a student would be requesting a fall semester start in the UNLV ATEP. If there is space available in the UNLV ATEP, then the prospective transfer student must complete the following to be eligible for entry.

1. Apply for and be formally admitted to the University of Nevada Las Vegas
    o Check the university deadlines for application and registration of classes.
    o Meet with the School of Allied Health Sciences advisor to clarify all transfer course work.
2. Submit the UNLV ATEP application as posted on the web site to the program director no later than April 1
3. Successfully complete an on-site interview
4. Receive tentative approval from the Program Director for fall entry
 

Once these steps have been completed the transfer student must complete the following courses, at UNLV, the summer prior to the fall entry requested.
SIM 101 Introduction to AT (3 credits)
(Upon passing this class with a ‘C’ or better an additional 100 point cumulative exam must be taken. A 70% passing grade is required to complete the application process)
SIM 102 Introduction to AT Clinical (1 credit)
(Students will be required to participate as an athletic training student during football camp in August)
SIM 150 Management of Sport Trauma/Illness (3 credits)
SIM 201 Exercise and Sport Injury (3 credits)
KIN 245 Anatomical Kinesiology (3 credits)
 

By completing the above courses and requirements with a minimum UNLV GPA of 2.75, a student would arrive at UNLV during the summer session. The courses taken during the summer session would constitute the 1st of the required 5 semesters. The successful student would then be starting the fall semester with the same background as the other students in their cohort.

Unsuccessful Candidates

If a student attempts one of the ATEP entry methods and is unsuccessful, the student can continue to take courses as a Kinesiology major (in one of two academic tracks) and can re-apply to the ATEP in a subsequent fall semester. Students will be encouraged to continue in the Kinesiology major and complete their degree program possibly with a double major in Kinesiology and Athletic Training (assuming they are successful in entering the ATEP in a subsequent year).

Kinesiology Majors

Kinesiology — 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.

Kinesiology — Comprehensive 

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

Admission Policies

Students must meet the School of Allied Health Sciences minimum GPA requirement of 2.50 for admission into the 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.
 

Transfer Policies

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

Nutrition Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Sciences degree is designed to prepare students with an interest in human nutrition to enter the health care field. Programs within Nutrition Sciences are student-focused with contact hours provided through lecture-based courses, laboratory courses, and field experiences with practitioners. Summer and part-time work or volunteer experiences in the profession are encouraged. Students have three concentration areas to choose from in Nutrition Sciences: (1) Dietetics (2) Sports Nutrition and (3) Pre-Professional studies. In addition to these concentrated areas of study, students may select from a number of nutrition specialty courses to further individualize their education.

Programs

Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

Students pursuing the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential need to fulfill the requirements of the DPD. Students can simultaneously fulfill the degree requirements in Nutrition Sciences and the DPD requirements. The DPD was granted Initial Accreditation by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2005. The contact information for ACEND is listed below.

ACEND
120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 312-899-0040, ext. 5400
E-mail: education@eatright.org
Website: http://www.eatright.org/acend

In order to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) a student must:

1. Earn the B.S. degree in Nutrition Sciences.
2. Complete the DPD course requirements.
3. Apply for, become accepted into, and complete an ACEND-Accredited Dietetic Internship.
4. Pass the National Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Nutrition Sciences Concentrations

1. Dietetics: This general program prepares students for traditional positions in health care that utilize knowledge of nutrition for health promotion and wellness, disease prevention, knowledge of medical nutrition therapy, and the ability to educate clients and patients. Students completing this program meet the minimum academic requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics.
2. Sports Nutrition: This concentration is for students who have a combined interest in nutrition and exercise sciences. Students completing this program meet the minimum academic requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics.
3. Preprofessional: This area of specialization provides an excellent and well-rounded background for those interested in applying for graduate schools in nutrition-related fields and professional schools. Students completing this program do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics. Students may elect to complete the additional courses needed to fulfill the Didactic Program in Dietetics requirements.

Program Objectives

Programs within the Department of Nutrition Sciences will:

1. Be student-focused. Experienced dietetics professionals will assist students with the acquisition of a strong foundation, knowledge base, and clinical skills and will facilitate students’ integration of this knowledge into the practice setting.
2. Include a solid curriculum for entry-level practice in nutrition and dietetics.
3. Be science-based. The curriculum will emphasize evidence-based practice.
4. Foster leadership skills through faculty mentors and professional membership participation.
5. Encourage students to assume the responsibility for lifelong learning and continued professional development.
6. Allow for creativity and flexibility as the profession of dietetics evolves.

Admission to the Major

Minimum GPA: 2.75

Admission Policies

To be admitted into the major, students must complete the following admission requirements:

1. A cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 or higher, or
2. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in 30 transfer credits accepted by UNLV, or
3. A minimum of 24 semester credits in the core foundation courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
4. Completion of an advising interview with a Division of Health Sciences academic advisor.

Transfer Policies

Students must meet a minimum GPA of 2.75 to transfer into the nutrition sciences major. Transfer students from an accredited institution may be granted up to 64 credits for equivalent prerequisite course work from prior programs. Course work is judged by curriculum content, not credit equivalency. Transfer students from community colleges must complete a minimum of 38 credits in upper-division courses for graduation.

Academic Policies

Upon admission to the sciences major, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 each semester and have no grade less than a C in all NUTR, FAB, and KIN courses. 

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