The Department of Kinesiology is one of five undergraduate departments in the College of Health Sciences at West Chester University. The Department of Kinesiology is committed to educating all students in the development of a healthy, active lifestyle while preparing majors for careers in the teaching, exercise and therapy professions.

Undergraduate degree programs available through the Department of Kinesiology are Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification and Exercise Science Specialist; Pre Physical Therapy or Pre-Occupational Therapy. Ares of specialization offered are minors in athletic coaching, adapted physical education and exercise science for teachers or non-majors.

Graduate programs available through the Department of Kinesiology are a Master of Science with specialization in General Physical Educationor Exercise and Sport Physiology. A Master of Science in Administration with specialization in Sport and Athletic Administration is also offered in conjunction with the School of Business and Public Affairs.  A graduate certificate program is available in adapted physical education.

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification in Health and Physical Education is also available through the Department of Kinesiology. This program is designed to prepare academically competent students possessing a baccalaureate degree to teach health and physical education in schools.

Program Design

Programs in the Department of Kinesiology are designed to teach individuals to develop a healthy active lifestyle and to offer experiences that promote the concept of lifespan sport, fitness, and physical education. Within the context of this design, majors develop the skills, knowledge, abilities, and experiential base of sufficient quality and depth to enable reasonable success in their likely vocational domain.

The undergraduate curriculum combines a liberal arts and sciences education with an in-depth study in the student's major option. While the major options vary in emphases, each curriculum offers students knowledge in the following areas:

• the biological, psychological, sociological, cultural foundations and the consequences of physical activity
• human development and motor learning and their relationship to activity
• the pedagogy of physical activity, health and sport
• the management of delivery systems in the field

Service

The Department of Kinesiology has a long tradition of partnering with community agencies and schools to provide pre-professional internships, student teaching experiences in Health and Physical Education, and student coaching opportunities. Our students and faculty conduct adapted physical activity programs, lead adventure based programs, and provide local and regional leadership to numerous community programs and professional organizations.

Department Faculty

The faculty of the Department of Kinesiology is committed to excellence. WCU boasts a diverse faculty with expertise in the areas of pedagogy, dance, coaching, motor learning, exercise physiology, kinesiology, adaptive physical education, sports management, and outdoor leadership. Each professor’s commitment to excellence is evidenced by their integral involvement in learning, teaching, advising, and promoting student professional development.

Facilities

The Department is housed on West Chester University's South Campus in the Russell L. Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center. The SHSC features the following indoor facilities: five full size multi purpose gymnasiums; one fully equipped gymnastic gym; dance studio, strength and cardio training facility, human performance laboratory; climbing wall; 17 classrooms: aquatics center featuring two pools and a 14' 1/2 foot diving well. Outdoor facilities include: multi purpose playing fields; tennis courts; softball fields/baseball fields; 1/4 mile track; two outdoor ropes courses.