Department of Kinesiology & Health Fitness

Associate Professor: McMurray, Department Chair
Professor: Rutledge, Smith
Assistant Professor: Dalton, Verhulst
Visiting Assistant Professor: Morris

Mission and Goals:

Through university and community-based programs, the Department of Kinesiology and Health Fitness uniquely blends spiritual, emotional, intellectual, social, and physical dimensions into learning about wellness promotion. Faculty direct students to develop personal goals, investigate career requirements, select appropriate degree plans, and enthusiastically engage in course activities. Overall, students are challenged to investigate diverse wellness issues and encouraged to serve. Graduates from the Department are prepared for the next step in careers of teaching, coaching, athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, fitness program management, consulting, community-based program development, and other sports related endeavors.

Through classroom and physically active experiences, students are challenged to:

Effectively communicate orally and in writing, apply but also innovate, and be professionally collaborative in health and fitness-related enterprises.
Establish the value of health and fitness for self, associates, and society as a whole, by utilizing best practices for safety and injury prevention.
Develop knowledge, attitudes, and habits necessary to maintain health and achieve optimal well-being.
Acquire knowledge and skills for successful health and fitness-related careers using evidence-based research.
Engage in scholarly and creative activity that analyzes one’s own work and the work of others.
Assess behavior, prescribe exercise, and apply appropriate leadership to enhance physical, intellectual, spiritual, social, and emotional wellbeing of a variety of participants.
Create a foundation to gain wisdom throughout the lifespan.

Special Programs and Opportunities:

Kinesiology Klub. The McMurry Kinesiology Klub is open to all interested students. It is affiliated with the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Activities include programs with guest professionals, field trips to professional meetings and workshops, and fund-raising activities. Qualifying members are inducted each spring into the national fraternity, Phi Epsilon Kappa.

Phi Epsilon Kappa: In the fall of the academic year, the department of Kinesiology at McMurry University actively encourages its majors and minors to be members of the Klub (spelled with a K for Kinesiology). In the spring semester, the sponsors review the grades and the service credits of the Klub members. Only those who have attained highest standards are inducted into Phi Epsilon Kappa, the national departmental fraternity.

Departmental Awards. Each Spring, six awards are presented to outstanding students who are engaged in professional preparation in this department. The Hadley and McCowen Scholarships are awarded to Pre-Athletic Training students in the Exercise Science and Human Performance major. The Swagerty, Seidel, Stith and Feris awards are given to juniors displaying leadership in kinesiology. The Dr. Pug Deavenport Parris Endowed Scholarship is awarded to students meeting two of the following three criteria: active in campus ministries or local United Methodist church, a member of the Kinesiology club, or is from the geographic area serviced by the Northwest Texas or New Mexico Conferences of the United Methodist Church.

Departmental Honors. Please see the description of the McMurry University Honors Program under the Special Program section in the catalog.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Courses

Health Fitness

Kinesiology