Why Kinesiology at the University of Michigan?
Why Make the Move to Kinesiology at U of M?
Before we answer this question, we must define the word "Kinesiology."
Kinesiology is the Study of Human Movement.
The common thread of our four diverse majors lies within the study of movement.
We hope to provide you with enough information in this section and on this web site so you travel in the right direction -- Kinesiology at the University of Michigan. If you still need help with the decision process after exploring this web site, then pick up the telephone (734 764-4472), drop us an e-mail or schedule a campus visit.
- Find Your Perfect Match! Kinesiology has four fascinating undergraduate programs to choose from:
- Athletic Training - An allied-health profession that allows students to prevent, treat and rehab injuries. Students get hands-on experience with the finest collegiate athletic teams in the world -- U of M! Graduates work with high school, college and professional teams, and in a wide range of non-academic clinical settings. See what our AT alums are doing now.
- Movement Science - Our health sciences and pre-allied health major. Many students go on to graduate programs to become doctors, physical therapists, physician assistants, professors and occupational therapists. See what MVS alums are doing now.
- Physical Education - Students receive the qualifications to become an educator in public or private school systems, teaching children from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Our Physical Education program is widely regarded as one of the top programs. See what our PE alums are doing now.
- Sport Management – For students who love sports and business! Graduates go into marketing, promotions, sales, project management, public relations and often pursue graduate degrees in law or business. See what our SM alums are doing now.
- A Commitment to Academic Excellence.
“Above all else, we are committed to advancing the work and values of a brilliant academic community. Academic excellence is never negotiable, even when we are faced with short-term budgetary pressures.”
-- Mary Sue Coleman, President of the University of Michigan
- Get the Best of Both Worlds -- University of Michigan and the School of Kinesiology. Kinesiology enrolls close to 800 undergraduate and graduate students, combining the advantages of a close-knit, small school community while drawing upon all the resources of a larger university. Students love the smaller classes and the relationships they develop with faculty and staff.
- Learn from the Best. Kinesiology employs approximately 25 full-time and a number of part-time faculty, many of whom are nationally known leaders in their field. Our dedicated faculty are accessible and committed to teaching, mentoring, and advising students.
- You’re Hired! Kinesiology graduates discuss the amazing impact Kinesiology has had on their careers. Visit our Careers section to learn more about careers in Kinesiology.
- A Wolverine’s-Eye View. Current Kinesiology students share their experiences about the academic excellence and support they receive from faculty and staff in Kinesiology.
- Experiences Outside the Classroom. Get a jump on the job market and a clear of idea of who you want to be when you grow up by doing an internship through Kinesiology. Internships completed by Movement Science and Sport Management students may be done for credit, for pay (rarely), or as a volunteer. Physical Education majors do student teaching and Athletic Trainers participate in clinical rotations. Athletic Training clinicals and student teaching experiences are also considered internships. For more information on internships, please visit our Internships page.
Where our students have interned:
- ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC, HBO
- U-M Athletic Department
- PT Clinics and hospitals around the country
- Pistons, Tigers, Lions, Redwings and other professional and minor league teams
- Many, many other places
- Become Part of a Research Team. It is an excellent opportunity for collaborative learning with faculty in a variety of laboratories. The Kinesiology Undergraduate Research Opportunity (KUROP) is a joint venture between the School of Kinesiology and U-M's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). The goal is to promote research as a valuable component of undergraduate education. All of our faculty welcome undergraduate students in their research labs.
- An Educational Road Trip. Many students make study abroad a part of their educational experience. To learn more about study abroad, visit GoGlobal! The Center for International Opportunities in Kinesiology. Timing is essential so work with your advisor to decide which program fits with your undergraduate major. Summer study abroad is becoming increasingly popular for our students on track to graduate within a specific timeframe.
- The Michigan Difference. The University of Michigan is a global leader known for advancing all aspects of life: health, law and public policy, the arts and humanities, science and engineering. Students and faculty have the opportunity to achieve more at the University of Michigan than anywhere else.
- Beat the Heat! If you are coming from a state that is sunny and warm all year, get ready to enjoy the spectacular colors of fall, building snowmen, and “traying” in the Nichols Arboretum. Check out the Ann Arbor weather conditions.
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Choosing a Major and Career Information
All undergraduate students in Kinesiology select one of four programs: Movement Science, Athletic Training, Physical Education and Sport Management. Check out the links to each of these programs to get more detailed information about the academic requirements and review the curriculum and course descriptions. Many students declare a major at the time of enrollment, and all are encouraged to choose a program of study by the end of their first year. Browse the Kinesiology Career Services page to determine the different professions you can pursue in each of the four majors and see what Kinesiology alumni are doing now.
Many students come into Kinesiology with a clear picture of what they want to study, however, others are unsure and it is not uncommon to change your mind. Whether your Kinesiology plan is decided or not, you can design a plan that allows you to explore your options your first year. The academic requirements are similar for Kinesiology students in all disciplines the first year of study. This gives students the flexibility to explore their options while getting a feel for the curriculum. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll want to discuss your plans with an academic advisor in the Office of Student Services (OSS) who can assist you with planning your courses to provide maximum opportunities.
Advisors can also help you develop strategies for tapping into available resources as you explore different career options. Beyond your advisor, many people at the University of Michigan are great contacts. Talk to your professors, graduate student instructors, alumni and other students. They often have valuable experiences, insight, and are happy to share this information with you. The U-M Career Center is another great resource that offers a full line of services as you explore your career options.
The study of Kinesiology can lead to a variety of careers involving teaching, research, coaching, a variety of services related to physical activity and fitness, health promotion, rehabilitation and medicine. Positions are found in a variety of settings including schools, colleges and universities, public and private agencies, clinical environments, government, business and the military. The Kinesiology curriculum gives students a solid foundation as they continue their education and plan to attend graduate school. See our graduate school information pages for more information and resources on graduate school.
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Benefits of Kinesiology
Kinesiology enrolls approximately 800 undergraduates and graduate students, combining the advantages of a close-knit, small school community while drawing upon all of the resources of the larger university. Our undergraduate program benefits from an accessible and responsive faculty who are involved in a wide range of research and professional activities. Kinesiology employs approximately 25 full-time and a number of part-time faculty, many of whom are nationally known leaders in their field. Within Kinesiology, movement is studied at all levels: cellular, whole body, and societal. Much of the research within Kinesiology is interdisciplinary in nature. Studying the complexities of human movement encourages collaborative partnerships with many life science disciplines, such as medicine, neuroscience, and bioengineering, as well as fostering links with business, education, and social sciences.
All majors include opportunities for internships, research, and study abroad opportunities. We have built a Kinesiology Career Services component within our Office of Student Services (OSS) which provides assistance with job searches, resume writing, networking, and interview skills. The Kinesiology Career Resource Center and the Kinesiology Career Services website houses information on both jobs and internships offered by schools, hospitals, corporations or other organizations. An intern may earn credit, stipend, salary, volunteer, community service or a combination depending upon arrangements with the employer and OSS. Some internships lead to full-time jobs after graduation.
The curriculum combines a comprehensive liberal arts and sciences education with in-depth study in the student's particular area of interest. Available to each student under the guidance of a faculty advisor are supervised experiences or internships with opportunities to do research or to work in agency settings. In recent years, agency experiences have included work in high school athletic departments; occupational therapy, cardiac rehabilitation and physical therapy departments of clinics and hospitals; health clubs; sports information offices; corporate fitness and wellness centers; youth sports programs, sports equipment manufacturers; sports injury clinics; radio and television stations; newspapers; Michigan Spine Program; MedSport, and Yost Ice Arena.
The Office of Student Services ( OSS) offers undergraduates students a full range of services including admissions assistance, orientation, course selections, advising, and counseling with an emphasis on academic and career development. OSS staff are professionally trained and able to assist students with appropriate referrals if necessary. Advisors also provide information and assistance with non-academic matters such as residency requirements, housing and financial aid. OSS has primary responsibility for orientation and commencement, and acts as a clearinghouse for information about University policy and procedures. See Advising for more information.
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Request for Information
Thank you for showing interest in Kinesiology at the University of Michigan. We would like to get you on our mailing list to send you a brochure on U of M and keep you updated on any events in Kinesiology. U of M Undergraduate Admissions Inquiry web form.
Thanks, and we hope to see you soon!
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