Resources - Department of Kinesiology

Academic Planning and Forms

Degree Planning Grids for Current Students

Earning Credit for Independent Study, Fieldwork and Research

At Michigan State University, students can earn credit for planned, individualized study that is not addressable through any other course format. The experience earned through this variable credit course opportunity must be proposed in writing by the student, accepted for supervision by a faculty member and approved by the student’s academic advisor and/or teaching unit at the beginning of the semester.

Credit earned for Independent Study (KIN 490), Fieldwork (KIN 494) and Undergraduate Research (KIN 495) must (a) be directed by a faculty member with whom there is periodic contact and consultation throughout the study; (b) not exceed eight semester hours of credit in a single semester; (c) not exceed 10% of the credits earned in a bachelor’s program; (d) be initiated using the form provided by the University, or an equivalent departmental or College form; and (e) be approved before course enrollment.

NOTE: An Affiliation Agreement must be completed and signed by any site/company for experiences outside of Michigan State University programs (i.e. private businesses, public schools, associations, etc.) before course enrollment. A Criminal Background Check Consent Form must also be completed and submitted to CEDhr@msu.edu prior to course enrollment.

Application and Enrollment: Students interested in earning variable credit for Independent Study, Fieldwork and Research experiences should contact a Kinesiology advisor or faculty member for additional information and assistance with the Application for Independent Study and Variable Credit Course Application forms.

Requirements for an Additional MAJOR in Kinesiology

Students who wish to add Kinesiology as an Additional Major should schedule an appointment with a KIN Academic Advisor to process your request and add the credential to your academic record.

Requirements for an Additional DEGREE in Kinesiology

Students who wish to add Kinesiology as an Additional Major should schedule an appointment with a KIN Academic Advisor to process your request and add the credential to your academic record. To be granted a second bachelor’s degree, a student must earn at least 30 credits at MSU in addition to the credits required for the first degree (minimum of 150 credits total).

Guest Application for Taking Courses at Another Institution

Students who wish to take courses at other colleges or universities as Guest Students for the purpose of earning credit for transfer back to Michigan State should discuss their plans with an academic advisor and consult the online transfer equivalency website to confirm transferability.

Please refer to the MSU Registrar’s website for guidelines and requirements regarding Guest Student Application. Students planning to attend Michigan institutions should use the link to access the Michigan Uniform Undergraduate Guest Application. Students who wish to attend non-Michigan institutions should obtain application forms from the host institution.

Electives

All Kinesiology majors will need elective courses to complete their degree programs. These classes may be used to satisfy University Undergraduate Minors, prerequisite courses for graduate study or student interests. Students will need to meet all restrictions or prerequisite requirements when choosing electives. Look for course offerings and availability on Schedule of Courses or refer to the list of Suggested Electives for KIN majors. These are selected MSU courses related to sport, health and wellness, nutrition, medicine, fitness, patient care, etc. Feel free to discuss elective choices with an academic advisor.

Students considering careers in Sport Management, Administration and Operations may also want to explore classes required for completion of the Minor in Sports Business Management, administered by the Eli Broad College of Business.

Honors Option Policy

KIN Honors Advisors and Liaison

Latisha Hurd, Kinesiology Honors Advisor, Room 134 Erickson Hall, 353-9680, hurdlati@msu.edu.
Dr. Matt Pontifex, Kinesiology Faculty Liaison, Room 126E IM Sports Circle, 432-5105, pontifex@msu.edu.

Honors Option Policy Description and Details:

The Honors Option is a way through which the faculty in the Department of Kinesiology can support students enrolled in the Honors College. The purpose of the Honors Option is to provide a learning experience that goes beyond the established course objectives for students enrolled in the Honors College. Faculty support these learning experiences by leading students through projects, activities, research, and/or experiences as guided by the following principles:

Honors Option projects are meant to be creative, practical, beneficial for the student, and related to course material. For ideas, please see the Honors Option website.
Faculty that teach or supervise Honors Option courses should place information about the policies, relevant due dates, and examples of potential honors option projects inside the course syllabus.
Honors Option project plans must be approved early on in the semester by the faculty teaching or supervising the course. Honors Options may not be offered in courses taught by graduate assistants unless supervision for the Honors Option project is provided by a regular faculty member.
In order for a proposed Honors Option project to be approved, students must complete an Honors Option Agreement Form located on the Registrar’s website by selecting “Student-Instructor Forms” and have it approved by the Instructor of Record by the date noted in the course syllabus.
If students are considering a service-learning Honors Option, visit this page to learn more information before the project gets approved.
Students must earn a 3.0 grade or better in the course.
Honors Options may be offered by the instructor of record in any undergraduate Kinesiology course at the 200 level or above with the exception of variable credit courses (including internships).

Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I) Experience Option Policy

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I) Experience Option is a way through which students that are enrolled in the E&I Minor can complete program requirements and gain knowledge, understanding, and/or practical skills that go beyond the scope and content of current courses. Faculty that choose to support a student’s E&I Experience Option must consider and follow these guidelines:

A student seeking the completion of an E&I Experience Option must be currently in the Minor in E&I program. The student will not be able to process an approval form if they do not hold this status.
The E&I experience must be approved by the faculty instructor of record. E&I experiences may not be offered in courses taught by graduate assistants unless supervision is provided by the instructor of record.
In order for a proposed E&I Experience to be approved, students must complete an E&I Experience Agreement Form located on the Registrar’s website by selecting “Student-Instructor Forms” and have it approved by the Instructor of Record by the date noted in the course syllabus.
An E&I Experience Option must be a hands-on experience related to the course’s content and go beyond coursework that is currently required. See the Entrepreneurship and Innovation website for experience examples.

Career Exploration

College of Education Career Services

Visit your College of Education Career Services Office from freshman year through program completion to help with exploring career opportunities, developing career-related skills, making professional connections and determining strategies for achieving success after graduation. Log on to Handshake to make a career advising appointment. All appointments with your College of Education Career Consultant and Career Peer Advisors will be held in 134 Erickson Hall. Walk-in resume critiques are also available.

For additional information, tips and resources on exploring Kinesiology career options, the graduate school path and more, see the Career Exploration & Planning section on the College Career Services website.

Annual Career Exploration Event: Making KIN-nections

Making KIN-nections: Exploring Kinesiology Career Paths is a career exposure and networking event that takes place every fall semester and is sponsored by the Department of Kinesiology for undergraduate students at MSU. The event gives students the opportunity to meet with professionals, kinesiology researchers and leaders of student organizations to learn more about kinesiology-related career options and research lab opportunities in health, wellness, fitness, sport and more.

The event is held annually in November. For more information, search the event on Handshake.

Alumni Advice: What KIN I do with my career?

There are so many great career options for Kinesiology majors. Find out what some of our recent graduates are doing now through our Alumni Profiles and see if their advice helps with your career exploration and research!

Course Override Requests

Overrides for Non-KIN Courses

Students interested in seats for full classes should join the Waiting List for the desired course section. Notification regarding open seats will be sent via email or text as space becomes available.

Overrides for courses offered by other MSU Colleges must be approved and processed by the specific department offering the course. Departmental contact information is located on Schedule of Courses in the upper right corner when you pull up the course you want to take. A link for override requests is often posted on College or Department websites.

Override Request/Wait List for Non-KIN Majors

Many KIN courses are restricted to Kinesiology majors only. Enrollment overrides for non-majors will be considered for seats still available at the start of the first week of classes.

Course prerequisites must be met for the course you are requesting.

Non-major students interested in a KIN course override must complete the OVERRIDE REQUEST FORM. Setting an Alert on Schedule of Courses will not put you on this override waiting list.

Requests will be added to the waitlist in the order received. Adding your name to a course override request list does not guarantee a seat in the class. Notification of seat availability will be made via email at the start of the semester requested.

Note: The Override Wait List is not required for full one-credit KIN Activity Classes. Students should set an ALERT through Schedule Builder to be notified of seat availability for these classes.

Questions? Contact a KIN academic advis or.

PreProfessional Preparation

Students who are interested in preparing for health-related graduate school admission can take advantage of services provided by the PreProfessional Advising Team in the College of Natural Science. The MSU Pre-Health Advising Resources website can provide details on health career options, graduate school selection and prerequisite admission requirements, the application process, admission test preparation, suggested elective courses, related student organizations, co-curricular activities and much more! Click on the Curriculum Planning link to find specific degree program information. College of Natural Science Pre-Health Advisors work with students from all majors.

Physical Therapy Program Articulation Agreements

We are proud to partner with Central Michigan University in offering Kinesiology and Athletic Training seniors the opportunity to “fast-track” their application into the CMU Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Click on the link below to download information on the individual articulation agreement, application criteria and guidelines for the current year.

Research Opportunities

Kinesiology majors are encouraged to take advantage of research opportunities at Michigan State University! Participating in Undergraduate Research gives students the opportunity to work alongside faculty and graduate students in our field, explore Kinesiology-related career paths, develop presentation skills at the annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum, network with other students engaged in research and build a stronger resume. To learn more about getting started, explore ways to be involved with Kinesiology research labs on campus, as well as other opportunities for research in the College of Education!

Clubs and Career Exploration

College is the place to try new things and meet new people. As you explore your path in Kinesiology, we encourage you to learn, grow and have fun!

Clubs/Organizations

Joining on-campus clubs/organizations is a great way to help define your Spartan footprint! By getting involved, you will build your network, improve your resume, make new friends and enhance your collegiate experience. Michigan State University has over 700 registered student organizations, so there is truly something for everyone.

MSU Minorities Ma’KIN’ Moves

MSU Minorities Ma’KIN’ Moves is a student-led organization that seeks to create and continually cultivate an academically and socially attainable space where underrepresented Kinesiology graduate and undergraduate students can unite to establish an inclusive community. Membership is open to all, including those who are not from underrepresented groups. The goals of MMM are to build lifetime friendships, provide leadership experiences, enhance knowledge of the Kinesiology major, and provide connections within desired career paths. To get involved, contact MMM.

MSU Phi Epsilon Kappa

Phi Epsilon Kappa is a national, pre-professional fraternity for Kinesiology and other health-related majors. The goal of Phi Epsilon Kappa is to build long lasting friendships, leadership roles, a greater knowledge of the Kinesiology major, and connections within desired career paths. Membership requirements for Phi Epsilon Kappa include at least a 3.2 GPA and a passionate attitude towards excelling within your major. Contact PEK at pek.msu@gmail.com or on Facebook.

More opportunities to learn about KIN-specific clubs and organizations are listed on the College of Education website.

The College of Education Leadership Council is made up of representatives from participating student organizations and groups affiliated with the College. The COELC website celebrates and highlights student accomplishments, and provides information on projects and programs of interest to Kinesiology, Athletic Training and Teacher Education majors.

Volunteer and Job Shadow

Seeking out and participating in job-shadow opportunities enables students to learn more about the field of Kinesiology! Job shadowing is a great way to “try on” a profession or explore career options. It gives you a chance to apply what you are learning in the classroom to the “real world” of the workplace. Job-shadowing can also give you an advantage when searching for future internships or job possibilities.

Whether your goal is to build your network, add to your resume, develop skills or give back to your community, volunteering can be a great experience and doesn’t always need to be career-related. Service in areas that you are passionate about helps you learn about the communities around you and provides an important opportunity to give to those in need. Use the MSU Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement to find organizations seeking volunteer assistance.

Internships and Part-time Jobs

While all Kinesiology majors are required to complete an internship in the senior year, a common misconception is that students cannot pursue internship opportunities prior to reaching senior standing. Students can and should look for internships and other on-the-job experiences throughout their time at MSU. Future employers and graduate schools often look for students who are actively engaged and have gained useful transferable skills (i.e., time management, organization, communication, customer service) through hands-on experiences that internships and volunteering can provide. Use Handshake, on the Career Services Network, as well as other personal connections and online resources to seek out and obtain internship and part-time job opportunities. You can also take advantage of the College of Education Careers Consultant to explore and discuss your options.

Education Abroad

The Michigan State University Office for Education Abroad offers opportunities for students to study and learn internationallly through classroom study, research, internships and global service-learning. Students can search for programs related to specific majors, countries and semesters. Get started on your research and see what the world has to offer!

The College of Education’s Office of International Studies in Education can provide additional information on College-specific international opportunities, including the Summer Sports Program Down Under, a Kinesiology-based option spanning 5 weeks in Melbourne and Sydney. Participants take two classes for a minumum of seven credits, as well as train in a sport of their choice. Interested students can contact an academic advisor for more information.

Scholarship Information

In addition to scholarship information listed on the MSU Financial Aid website, the College of Education provides information on undergraduate scholarship opportunities funded by gifts from faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the College. See the College of Education Scholarships for Undergraduates website for scholarship criteria, application dates and contact information.

Scholarships affiliated with Michigan State University Student Affairs & Services are available for undergraduate and graduate students, including opportunities for students affiliated with MSU Rec Sports and Student Leadership.

Students who are actively pursuing or engaged in unpaid internships should explore the MSU Federal Credit Union Internship Opportunity Award.

The Fred Zimmer Worksite Wellness Memorial Scholarship is offered by the Michigan Wellness Council and awarded to a junior or senior at an an accredited college or university who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree related to Health Promotion and Wellness with plans to utilize that degree in a worksite setting.

Study Strategies and Resources

Succeeding in college is about so much more than “being smart.” Kinesiology and Athletic Training are challenging majors, and this page is dedicated to helping students become as successful as possible during their time at MSU.

So, how can you be successful? Learn how to learn by asking questions, taking advantage of instructor office hours and review sessions, meeting with your academic advisor and utilizing campus resources. Check out these academic strategies, as well as the Study Tips for key Kinesiology courses:

Go to class! This may seem like the most simple piece of advice, but showing up each and every day is the first thing you can control.
Read your syllabus. This is the best tool for course information and time management! There is no excuse for being unaware of the essentials and expectations provided by your instructors. Use your syllabus as a course “road map” so you know what to study and when, can complete homework and projects on time, and are prepared for quiz/test dates. Build your syllabus information into your planner or calendar system.
Use your resources. MSU has many valuable services and resources that contribute to student academic success. We encourage you to explore the University website but will share a few of our favorites:
Stay ahead and avoid cramming. Cramming for exams won’t help with long-term memory formation – your brain simply isn’t engineered that way. Check out the following article to find out why: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140917-the-worst-way-to-learn
Talk to your Professors and TAs. Course instructors are there to help! Sure, standing in a 20-person line after class isn’t the best idea, but that is why instructors hold office hours. Find them posted on your course syllabus or D2L, or email to request an individual appointment. Show up prepared with a list of questions pertaining to your progress or success and then take the advice you are given to heart!
Learning is more than memorizing! Memorizing just isn’t effective over the long-term and can keep students from processing, applying and building on information needed for the next class or the next course. You need to be able to APPLY and DISCUSS material, not just spit it back on an exam. Find out what happens When Memorization Gets in the Way of Learning.
Get involved! Research shows that students who interact and are involved in their collegiate experience actually perform better in the classroom. Look for opportunities to meet other students, pursue your passion, prepare for a career or be physically active on the Get Involved section under Student Resources.
Use your time wisely. As busy as college can be sometimes, you will inevitably have down time. If you have 45 minutes between classes, use the time to review the notes from your last class. A couple of hours? Swing by the caf, grab a bite with a friend and quiz each other. More time than that? Head to the library and attack that homework assignment while the material is still fresh in your mind. Those little minutes can add up to helpful and productive study time!
Get plenty of sleep. Do we sound like your mother? There are countless studies that demonstrate that quality sleep improves cognitive function. If you don’t believe us, read this article from the National Sleep Foundation. Shoot for the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night and know that, sometimes, even a short 10-30 minute nap can also bolster your brain to support memory and alertness.
Form study groups. As students, you are all in this together! Reviewing or teaching course information to one another leads to better retention of material. By bouncing ideas off each other, working as a team, building networks, or sharing and considering different perspectives, you can grow as a group, develop career-building skills and make lasting friendships!

We asked instructors and students to share tips for success in some of the classes that all KIN majors need to pass successfully. Click on the links below to see the strategies they recommend!

MSU Minors

Michigan State University offers a variety of Undergraduate Minors to students who wish to augment their degree programs. Students should consult with College academic advisors to explore specific minor requirements and a plan for completion. Detailed information on Minors available to undergraduate students is listed on the MSU Academic Programs website.