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Mission

The Department of Kinesiology and Community Health is an interdisciplinary unitdedicated to the study of health, rehabilitation, and human movement. The advancement and dissemination of knowledge related to health, rehabilitation, and human movement is central to the Department’s mission. Faculty in the Department utilize a broad variety of approaches in the integrative study of health, rehabilitation, and human movement, including research themes such as lifespan physical activity, community health, rehabilitation counseling, disability, well-being and inclusion, physical culture and education, pedagogy, human factors, and human performance.

Programs of Study and Organizational Structure

The Department of Kinesiology and Community Health is organized around five curricular groupings:

Concentrations

1. Bio-Behavioral Kinesiology: Faculty in the Bio-Behavioral Kinesiology group examine the antecedents and consequences of involvement in physical activity and sport and the impact that physical activity and sport have upon individuals. This area includes Exercise and Sport Psychology, Biomechanics, Motor Control, and Kinesmetrics.
2. Cultural, Pedagogical, & Interpretive Studies: Faculty in the CP&I group examine the interaction between physical activity and the individual from a variety of cultural, sociological and pedagogical perspectives. Faculty study the impact of movement on cultural and social relations, whereas others examine issues related to pedagogy and physical education.
3. Exercise Physiology: Exercise physiology is the study of work output, energy transfer, and movement efficiency. Research in this area is conducted in order to better understand the consequences of exercise stress on body systems.
4. Health Disparity and Disability: Faculty with specializations in health disparity examine a variety of dynamic interactions that impact the overallhealth of communities. Faculty in rehabilitation examine the impact of disability in the population and the emotional, environmental, vocational, and educational issues surrounding adjustment to disability.
5. Public Health: Faculty in the public health group examine population-based approaches to public health. A cornerstone of the program is translating research into public health practice.

The department offers degree programs leading to the BS, MS, MPH and Ph.D. degrees.

In addition, the department also offers several programs preparing students for (1) Illinois State Certification in teaching physical education in grades K-12, (2) Coaching Endorsement; (3) Health Education Endorsement; and (4) Gerontology minor.

The Department also sponsors two service programs which include the Lifetime Fitness Program for adults 55 and older and the SportsFitness Program for children 7-12 years of age.