Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport

Academic Athletic Building #2, L.T. Smith Stadium
Phone: (270) 745-3347, Fax: (270) 745-6043
Website: www.wku.edu/chhs/cms/index.php/departments/krsa>

Dr. William Hey, Head

Professors: R. Deere, W. Hey, S. Spencer
Associate Professors: F. Gibson, R. Poff , S. Lyons, J. Navalta
Assistant Professors: S. Arnett, K. Esslinger, B. Larson, A. Ramos, R. Ramsing, M. Schafer, T. Stenger-Ramsey, P. Upright, S. Whitlock
Instructor: B. Pyle

Optional Retirees: M. Cobb, T. Crews

Office Associates : D. Eysenbach, V. Wilson

The function of the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport at Western Kentucky University is twofold: (a) serves the needs of the University at large by providing courses devoted to physical skill development and physical exercise; and (b) provides an opportunity for technical study in Physical Education, Recreation Administration, Sport Management, and Exercise science.

Major in Physical Education (Teacher Education)
The major in physical education (reference number 587) is designed to develop positive teaching skills in physical activity and to meet the needs for the development of qualified teachers.  The major requires 49 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Science and teacher certification in physical education for the candidates that are formally admitted to professional education.  Students in the Physical Education major must complete the following courses: PE 110, 111, 112, 121, 122, 211, 212, 221, 222, 300, 310, 311, 312, 313, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 413, 414 and 415. BIOL 131 is a prerequisite for PE 310, 311, and 312.  Students majoring in Physical Education are required to meet with their advisor before enrolling for the next semester.  A Health Education minor is recommended for all teacher education physical education majors.

All requirements of the WKU College of Education and Behavioral Sciences for admission to teaching must be met to fulfill the Kentucky standards for the designated teaching certificate.  Current information on teacher education and certification are available on the website for the Office of Teacher Services: http://edtech.wku.edu/%7Eteachersvs/.   

To be formally admitted to professional education students must take the Professional Education Component classes which include: EDU 250, EXEC 330, PSY 310, SEC 478, SEC 489, ELED 490, SEC 490 (25 hours). Those students that complete the physical education program but do not complete the proper professional education component classes will not be formally admitted to professional education, but can still graduate with a Bachelor of Science in physical education without  teacher certification.

Major in Exercise Science
The major in exercise science (reference number 554) requires 55 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree.  Exercise science includes extensive study in various areas of exercise physiology, kinesiology, and biomechanics.  Students who complete this degree will be prepared for certifications from organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and may pursue careers in such fields as fitness management, corporate fitness and health promotion, medically-based fitness, and strength coaching, among others.  The exercise science degree also prepares students for further post-graduate study in areas such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, nutrition, and research.  Students must maintain a “C” or better in each course in the major.  Additionally, in accordance with university policy, an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better must be attained upon on the completion of required curriculum.

Students must complete the following courses:  EXS 223, 296, 311, 313, 324, 325, 412, 420, 436, 446, 496, PE 122, 312, CFS 111, SFTY 171, 6 credit hours of approved upper-level electives from EXS 455, 425, 485, PE 456, CFS 364, 368, PSY 340,PH 383, PHIL 322, or electives as approved in consultation with department advisor.

Major in Recreation Administration
The major in recreation administration (reference number 589) requires a minimum of 48 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. Students must complete the following recreation courses: REC 200, 302, 304, 306, 320, 402, 404, 406, and 490. In addition, students must choose 12 hours of electives from:  REC 220, 235, 322, 326, 328, 330, 332, 335, 337, 420, 422, 424, 426, 428, 430, 434, 435, 437, 439, 482, 484, 494, or 496.

Major in Sport Management
The Bachelor of Science degree in sport management (reference number 572) is a program which prepares students for successful careers within the sport industry.  Students must complete the following courses for the major:  SPM 200, SPM 404, SPM 402, SPM 450, SPM 452, SPM 454, SPM 490, ECON 323, SOCL 324, ACCT 200, ECON 202, MKT 220, MKT 326 and MGT 210 (51 hours) and then use the remaining 25 hours to either: 1) take other electives of interest to the student or 2) select a minor that best prepares them for entry level positions related to their interest within the sport industry.  Complementary minors include but are not limited to: athletic coaching, broadcasting, business administration, and facility and event management.

Minor in Athletic Coaching
The minor in athletic coaching (reference number 320) requires 21 to 24 semester hours. Students must complete the following courses: SPM 200, PE 310, 311, 312, and 493. In addition to these core courses, students shall select eight (8) to nine (9) hours from the following coaching courses: PE 333, 340, 341, 342, or 343. The minor is designed for those persons who want to enter a teaching and coaching career and who do not desire to major in physical education.

Minor in Physical Education
The minor in physical education (reference number 432) requires a minimum of 25 semester hours. This minor is not a certifiable teaching field in Kentucky. The requirements are: PE 122, 211, 212, 221, 222, 310, 311, 312, 313 and 324.

Minor in American Humanics (Nonprofit Administration)
The minor in American humanics (nonprofit administration) (reference number 309) prepares students for successful careers in nonprofit organizations. Students can take courses from several departments and programs of study, and gain competencies and experiences required for the American humanics national certification. In addition to the coursework listed below, active participation in the American humanics Student Association is a requirement for the national certification. This minor requires a minimum of 22 hours including the following required courses: REC 220, REC 494, and REC 496 (or other pre-approved internship course). 

As part of the 22 hours, students will choose one course from each of the four categories below:

• Nonprofit Management, Human Resources Dev & Supervision:
  Choose one of the following: MGT 333, MGT 210, MGT 311, REC 406
• Accounting/Financial Mgt/Fundraising:
  Choose one of the following: ACCT 200, ACCT 420, FIN 261, FIN 330, PSY 475, REC/SPM 402
• Communication Skills:
  Choose one of the following: COMM 148, COMM 263* (fulfills Category E General Education), COMM 345, COMM 349, COMM 461, LEAD 200* (fulfills Category C General Education, SWRK 379, REC 302, PSY 442
• Youth & Human Development:
  Choose one of the following: PSY 199* (fulfills Category C General Education), PSY 321, PSY 422, SWRK 330, SOCL 410

Note: 50% of hours must be at the 300 or 400-level.

Minor in Facility and Event Management
The facility and event management minor (reference number 367) provides students with practical knowledge and skills for the effective management of facilities and events.  The minor requires a minimum of 21 semester hours.  Students must complete the following courses:  REC 306, REC 404, REC 426, SPM 450, REC 490, and six hours of advisor approved electives.

Minor in Outdoor Leadership
The outdoor leadership minor (reference number 426) consists of 18 hours that is designed to provide students with the theoretical and practical skills necessary to become outdoor professionals and to lead groups responsibly in the backcountry.  The following courses are required for the minor:  REC 330, 332, 335, 337, 435, 437.  In addition, students must choose six hours of electives from:  REC 235, 328, 422, 424, 430, 434, 439, or 482.

Minor in Recreation Administration
The minor in Recreation Administration (reference number 444) requires a minimum of 24 semester hours. Students must complete the following courses: REC 200, 302, 304, 306, 402, 404, 406 and 490 (3 hours).

Minor in Tourism
The minor in Tourism (reference number 445) is an interdisciplinary program between the Departments of Consumer and Family Sciences and Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport. The minor in tourism requires a minimum of 21 hours. Students must complete the following courses: CFS 271, MKT 220, REC 420, and REC 490 or CFS 313. Students must complete a minimum of 9 hours from a list of restricted electives in consumer and family science and recreation administration.

Requirements (12 hours): CFS 271, MKT 220, REC 420, REC 490 or CFS 313

Restricted Electives (9 hours): REC 302, REC 322, REC/SPM 404, CFS 171, CFS 373, CFS 375

Graduate Degree Programs
The department offers courses and programs leading to the Master of Science in Physical Education and the Master of Science in Recreation and Sport Administration. See the Graduate Studies Catalog for further details or visit the department website at http://www.wku.edu.