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Experiences

Turn Hands-On Experience Into Academic Credit

As a Kinesiology major, you must complete at least 3 credits of approved experiential learning before you graduate.

Experiential learning gives you the chance to take what you’re learning in your KIN classes and apply it in a real-world setting. It can help you:

Build professional skills
Explore careers in Kinesiology
Gain experience for your résumé
Make professional connections
Prepare for graduate school or your first job

Which experience is right for you?

Course	Experience
KIN 492	KINternship — Kinesiology-related experience (non-physiology)
KIN 493	KINternship — Kinesiology-related experience (physiology-based)
KIN 494	Faculty-supervised fieldwork
KIN 495	Undergraduate research with a faculty supervisor
KIN 496	Athletic Training KINternship / directed observation
Other approved experiences	Certain study abroad, service, research, or internship experiences

Not sure which option you need? Talk with your academic advisor before getting started.

Enrollment Overview

Choose the enrollment option that best matches your planned experience: KIN 492/493 for a Kinesiology-related internship or job experience you arrange, or KIN 496 for a faculty-matched placement intended specifically for students pursuing athletic training.

KIN 492 & KIN 493

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

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.

Pre-Enrollment Checklists

Use the checklist that corresponds to the KINternship course you plan to take. Each checklist outlines the required pre-enrollment steps before you can enroll.

KIN 492 & KIN 493

KIN 492/493 KINternship: 5 Steps

Review the pre-enrollment checklist for KIN 492 or KIN 493. It outlines the required pre-enrollment steps, deadlines and materials needed before you submit your application.

Questions? Please contact: Grayson Hagenbuch, via email: hagenbu7@msu.edu

Step 1: Find an experience

Find a Kinesiology-related, on-site experience that will allow you to complete at least 135 hours during the semester.

Your KINternship must:
✓ Be related to Kinesiology
✓ Be an in-person, on-site experience
✓ Include at least 135 supervised hours during one semester
✓ Take place during official MSU semester dates
✓ Be completed while you are enrolled in 3 credits of KIN 492 or KIN 493

Your experience can be paid or unpaid and may be at a current or former place of employment.

Step 2: Check your site

Your site needs to have an active affiliation agreement with the Department of Kinesiology.

Already affiliated? Great — you're ready to move on.
Not affiliated? Ask your site representative to complete the site affiliation form.

→ Check the Affiliated Sites List
→ Request a New Site Affiliation

MSU sites: You do not need an affiliation agreement for an experience located at MSU.

Students have completed KINternships in settings such as:

Physical therapy clinics
Personal training and fitness facilities
Medical clinics
Athletic performance facilities
Health promotion and public health
Cardiac rehabilitation
Sports nutrition
Medical device sales
Other Kinesiology-related organizations

Not sure whether your experience qualifies? Check with the KINternship Coordinator before making plans.

Step 3: Complete your background check consent form

All students enrolled in a KINternship course must complete a background check through the Department of Kinesiology and MSU HR.

Complete the Background Check Consent Form before submitting your KINternship application.

You do not need to wait for your background check to be completed before submitting your application.

→ Complete the Background Check Consent Form

Step 4: Apply for KIN 492 or KIN 493

Once you've identified your experience and confirmed your site requirements, submit your Application to Enroll to the Department of Kinesiology.

Application Deadlines

Applications to enroll in KIN 492/493 must be submitted to the Department of Kinesiology by:

December 15 for Spring KINternships
April 15 for Summer KINternships
August 15 for Fall KINternships

Plan ahead: Applications typically take 2–3 weeks to process and may take longer during busy periods.

Step 5: Check your schedule

After your application is approved, the KIN Department will send you a confirmation email.

Then check your MSU schedule.

You must be enrolled in KIN 492 or KIN 493 during the semester you complete your experience. If the course is not on your schedule by Day 1, you are not enrolled and will not receive credit.

KINternship credit cannot be awarded retroactively for hours completed before you were enrolled.

KIN 496

KIN 496 KINternship: 5 Steps

Review the pre-enrollment checklist for KIN 496. It outlines the required pre-enrollment steps, deadlines and materials needed before you submit your application.

Questions? Please contact: Dr. Pollard-McGrandy, via email: pollar77@msu.edu

Step 1: Confirm that KIN 496 is the right fit for you

Meet with your academic advisor to determine whether KIN 496 is the appropriate course for your academic and career goals.

KIN 496 is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in Athletic Training (sports medicine, not sports performance).

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

Step 2: Confirm your availability to complete required hours

You must be able to complete at least 135 supervised hours during one semester while enrolled in 3 credits of KIN 496.
This works out to approximately 10 hours per week during the semester.
Interns may work up to 40 hours per week without pre-approval from the KINternship Coordinator.

Step 3: Complete your background check consent form

All students enrolled in a KINternship course must complete a background check through the Department of Kinesiology and MSU HR.

Step 4: Apply for KIN 496

Once you've identified your experience and confirmed your site requirements, submit your Application to Enroll to the Department of Kinesiology.

Application Deadlines

Applications to enroll in KIN 496 must be submitted to the Department of Kinesiology by:

December 1 for Spring KINternships
April 1 for Fall KINternships

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

After the application deadline has passed, applications will be reviewed and finalized. You will receive a confirmation email from the KIN Department once the review process is complete.

Step 5: Check your schedule

After your application is approved, the KIN Department will send you a confirmation email.

Then check your MSU schedule.

You must be enrolled in KIN 496 during the semester you complete your experience. If the course is not on your schedule by Day 1, you are not enrolled and will not receive credit.

KINternship credit cannot be awarded retroactively for hours completed before you were enrolled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does my site supervisor need to do?

Your site supervisor plays an important role in your KINternship.

Your supervisor must:

Have at least a bachelor's degree
Be on-site for most of your scheduled work hours or designate an alternate supervisor
Be able to regularly observe your work
Complete required evaluations of your performance
Have no conflict of interest that could affect your grade

Your supervisor's evaluations are part of your course grade.

Do I have to submit an application?

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.

What kinds of experiences qualify for KIN 492/493 “KINternship” credit?

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.

Can my job count as my KINternship?

A current or past job can potentially be used as your KINternship if the experience meets the course requirements and is approved by the Department.

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

What paperwork and other requirements are necessary for my site and site supervisor?

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.

Do I need a background check to work at my site?

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.

When will I know if I'm enrolled?

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.

Do I have to pay tuition?

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.

key features

On-Site Experiences

Students gained over 30,000 hours of on-site experiences.

Location Variety

Our students had opportunities at more than 100 sites across ~10 states — all while earning academic credit.

Connected Learning

Students who engage in our internship program consistently highlight the direct connections between their classroom and on-site experiences.