Experiences

KIN 492 and KIN 493 allow you to earn academic credit while gaining hands-on experience at a Kinesiology-related site.

Before you apply:

• Find and accept a Kinesiology-related internship or job that can be used for academic credit.
• Confirm that the experience meets the KINternship requirements.
• Complete the required pre-enrollment steps in the checklist.
• Submit the Application to Enroll by the applicable deadline listed in the pre-enrollment checklist.

Unlike KIN 496, students are responsible for finding and securing their own internship or job experience. The Department of Kinesiology will review the site and application, then enroll eligible students in the appropriate KINternship course.

Important: Only hours completed while officially enrolled in KIN 492 or KIN 493 can count toward academic credit.

Offered: Fall, Spring and Summer

View the KIN 492/493 pre-enrollment checklist and complete the Application to Enroll.

KIN 496 is an experiential learning option for students interested in pursuing a career in athletic training (sports medicine, not sports performance).

Before you apply:

• Confirm that KIN 496 aligns with your academic and career goals.
• Complete the required pre-enrollment steps in the checklist.
• Submit the Application to Enroll by the applicable deadline (listed in the pre-enrollment checklist).

Unlike KIN 492/493, students enrolling in KIN 496 are matched to an athletic training site by an MSU Athletic Training faculty member.
 

Enrollment in KIN 496 is not guaranteed. Applications are reviewed based on credit standing, cumulative GPA, and demonstrated interest in athletic training.

Offered: Fall and Spring
Summer enrollment is not available.

View the KIN 496 pre-enrollment checklist and complete the Application to Enroll.

KIN 492, KIN 493, and KIN 496: Yes. You must submit an Application to Enroll in your selected course by the appropriate deadline. This is separate from any application you submit to secure a job/internship at your site.

KIN 494 and KIN 495: Talk with your academic advisor or faculty supervisor about how to enroll.

Your experience must:

• Be kinesiology-related
• Be in-person/on-site
• Not be remote, work-from-home, or in the private home of a client/patient
• Allow you to complete at least 135 supervised hours in one semester
• Be completed while enrolled in 3 credits of KIN 492 or KIN 493
• Take place during official semester dates
• Have an active affiliation agreement with MSU (LINK)

Experiences can be paid or unpaid. Experiences can also include a current or past place of employment.

However, only hours completed while you are enrolled in KIN 492/493 can be counted toward your academic credit.

Site Supervisor Requirements

Your site supervisor must:

• Have at least a bachelor’s degree
• Be on-site for the majority of the time you are scheduled to work, or designate an alternate supervisor
• Have no conflict of interest that could affect your receipt of a fair grade
• Be able to regularly observe your work and provide periodic evaluations of your performance that count toward your course grade

Affiliation Agreement Requirements

Your site must:

• Have an active affiliation agreement on file with the Department of Kinesiology
• If your site is not currently affiliated, have a site representative complete the site affiliation form
• Check the Affiliated Sites List

Please note: We do not maintain this list for current opportunities or staff contacts; this list does include sites who opted-out of public display

If your site is based at MSU, you do not need to complete an affiliation agreement because MSU cannot be further affiliated with itself.
 

Yes. The Department of Kinesiology and MSU HR office will complete a background check for each student enrolled in a KINternship course.
Please complete the Background Check Consent Form prior to submitting your Application to Enroll.

You do not need to wait for background check results before submitting your application. You will be contacted if there is an issue. If you believe there may be a problem, contact the KINternship Coordinator.

View the Background Check Consent Form.

Students are responsible for ensuring that their academic course schedule is accurate.

To earn credit, you must be enrolled in the course during the same semester you are completing the experience.

For KIN 492, KIN 493, and KIN 496:

• After your application has been approved, you will receive a confirmation email from the KIN Department.
• Application approval typically takes 2–3 weeks, although processing may take longer during peak periods.
• If KIN 492, KIN 493, or KIN 496 is not on your schedule by Day 1, you are not enrolled and will not receive credit.
• KINternship credit cannot be awarded retroactively for work completed while you were not enrolled in the course.

Yes.

KINternship and experiential learning courses are regular MSU courses, so tuition and normal academic requirements apply.

You'll also complete course assignments through D2L, in addition to your hands-on experience.

If tuition, financial aid, or scholarships are a concern, talk with your academic advisor, financial aid officer, or scholarship coordinator before enrolling.