Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport website
http://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ceps/hks

The Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport offers state and nationally accredited undergraduate programs of study in Physical Education (P-12), Health Education (6-12), and a combined Health (6-12) and Physical Education (P-12) program that lead to Alabama Class B Educator Preparation and Certification.  Graduate programs of study are offered in Physical Education (P-12) and Health Education (6-12) that lead to Alabama Class A Educator Preparation and Certification.

The Department offers totally on-line graduate programs in Sport Management and Health Promotion.  Undergraduate and graduate programs are available in Exercise Science and Health Promotion.  Undergraduate programs are offered in Recreational Therapy and Sport Management and Recreation Studies with concentrations in Sport Administration or Coaching Administration.  The Department also provides a physical activity instructional program for all university students through courses in physical fitness, lifetime sports, dance, and martial arts.  An undergraduate Coaching Certificate program is also offered by the department as well as minors in Sport Management and Recreational Studies and Health and Wellness.

Requirements For Admission To Candidacy In Teacher-certification Programs (HS and PE)

All students must apply in the Advising Center (UCOM 3360), for admission to teacher candidacy. This is normally done during the final semester of the sophomore year or first semester of the junior year. All previously listed requirements of the University and College must be met prior to application. 

Teacher Candidacy Admission Requirements for Physical Education (P-12) & Health (6-12) majors, & merged Health (6-12) and Physical Education (P-12).

Hours:

60 semester hours (48 must be in General Education). A minimum of 12 semester hours must be taken at USA.

GPA Requirements:

• 2.5 Minimum Overall USA GPA (All work attempted at USA).
• 2.5 Minimum Program GPA (All courses used on this Advising Sheet, including transfer work).
• 2.5 Minimum Professional Studies GPA (All courses used in the Professional Studies area, including transfer work).
• 2.5 Minimum Teaching Field GPA (All courses used in the Teaching Field, including transfer work).
• No grade below a "C" will be accepted in Professional Studies courses.

Course Requirements:

• Course requirements for PE P-12 Majors: CA 110, EH 101, EH 102, BMD 114 or BMD 110 or BMD 251, EDM 310, EDU 400, EPY 351, KIN 100, KIN 201, and KIN 166.
• Course requirements for merged Health (6-12) and Physical Education (P-12):  CA 110, EH 101, EH 102, BMD 110, BMD 114 or BMD 251, EDM 310, EDU 400, EPY 351, KIN 100, KIN 201, HS 262, HS 263
• Course requirements for Health 6-12 Majors: CA 110, EH 101, EH 102, BMD 114, EDM 310, EDU 400, EPY 351, KIN 100, KIN 201, HS 170, HS 262, and KIN 263.

Other Requirements:

• Proof of clear SDE fingerprinting/background check and professional liability insurance.
• Completion of the Dispositions Survey and a signed teacher Candidacy application form.
• Completion of a satisfactory departmental interview with your assigned advisor. Recommendation of advisor, department chairperson and approval of the Candidacy Committee.
• Sufficient physical ability and emotional stability to perform as a teacher.

Application/Admission Information:

• Candidacy applications are due the semester in which the student completes all candidacy requirements. The intent is for students to apply for Candidacy AND meet with their content area advisor prior to registration to enable appropriate planning decisions for upcoming semesters.
• Apply for Candidacy in the Advising Center (UCOM 3360).
• The College of Education  and Professional Studies Candidacy Committee may recommend, defer or deny admission to the program.

Admission to Candidacy will remain deferred until all requirements have been met and grades are submitted at the end of the term. Once grades are available and all requirements are met, the Office of Student Services will notify students via their official JAG e-mail account when they have been admitted to Candidacy. Students will then be able to register for Candidacy courses.

Requirements For Admission To Candidacy Non-teacher-certification Programs 

All students must apply for admission to a program during the semester immediately following the completion of 60 semester hours of credit provided they meet the requirements listed below. Courses in progress during the semester the student makes application for candidacy may be used in the candidacy application process.
Admission to a non-teacher certification program requires that

1. The student:
   a. declare a specialization
   b. take any necessary tests
   c. submit to any needed evaluations
   d. be available for necessary interviews
2. The student's application receives approval from the advisor and departmental chair. The application must be submitted to the College of Education and Professional Studies Advising Center by the second week of the semester in which the student is eligible to be admitted.
3. The student's application receives approval from the Undergraduate Candidacy Committee
4. The student's application receives the approval of the Dean or Associate Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies

Candidacy requirements are summarized on Departmental Advising Sheets.

The following are the criteria to be considered by the Undergraduate Candidacy Committee:

1. Completion of 60 semester hours of course work, 48 of which must be in General Studies.
2. A minimum overall grade-point average of 2.2 in the major/specialization (including transfer work) and a grade-point average of 2.2 on all work attempted at the University of South Alabama.
3. Sufficient physical ability and emotional stability to perform successfully as a professional. These and other factors could be determined in a departmental interview.
4. Recommendation of the advisor and department chair.
5. Completion of any departmental prerequisite courses.
6. Health majors must complete EH 101, EH 102; KIN 100, KIN 201; HS 170, HS 262, KIN 263; BMD 110, or BMD 114, or BMD 251 and BMD 111, or BMD 115, or BMD 252; CA 110, and any departmental prerequisite courses, in addition to the above.
7. Recreational Therapy majors and Sport Management and Recreation Studies majors must complete EH 101, EH 102; SM 191, RTH 292, SM 391, CA 110 and any departmental prerequisite courses, in addition to the above.
8. Exercise Science majors must complete EH 101, EH 102; KIN 100, KIN 282; HS 170, BMD 114 or BMD 251, or (BMD 110, Only for Health-Fitness Concentration), CA 110, and any departmental prerequisite courses, in addition to the above.

The Undergraduate Candidacy Committee may recommend the admission of the student to the program, defer admission, or reject the student's application.

Internships In Non-teaching (NTC) Programs (Exercise Science, Health, Recreational Therapy, Sport Management and Recreation Studies)

Students enrolled in one of the following NTC Majors: Exercise Science, Health Promotion, Recreational Therapy, or Sport Management and Recreation Studies, must be admitted to candidacy in their program and attain senior status prior to enrollment in an internship. All internships must be completed at departmentally approved sites, and must be planned and approved at least one full semester in advance of the experience. No other academic courses may be taken during the internship without permission of the academic advisor. Health, and Exercise Science students enroll in KIN 495, Recreational Therapy students enroll in RTH 495,  and Sport Management and Recreation Studies students enroll in SM 495. See advisor for details and internship planning.

Graduate

The Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport offers:

I. The Master of Education degree with specializations in:

• Physical Education, Teacher Certification
• Health Education, Teacher Certification

These programs are planned to lead to Alabama Class A Teacher Certification. An Alabama Class B certificate or the equivalent is required for students seeking the Master's level (Class A) certification.

II. The Master of Science degree in:

• Exercise Science
• Health Promotion (Fully Online Program)
• Sport Management (Fully Online Program)