Kinesiology & Health
FAQ
School of Education, Health, and Society
Frequently Asked Questions
Why type of academic programs do you offer?
KNH offers a variety of undergraduate majors and minors and two master’s degrees. Our programs are highly regarded by employers, professional schools, and other graduate programs, and our students successfully compete for sought-after jobs, internships, and assistantships. Find out more.
Do undergraduates have contact with tenured faculty members?
Absolutely. You’ll get personal attention from professors in and out of the classroom. They will help prepare you to be successful.
KNH has 31 faculty members, all of whom teach undergraduates. Unlikemany other universities where faculty members focus on either teaching or research, KNH faculty members combine the best of teaching and research credentials.
Can I graduate in four years?
Yes. Miami’s graduation rate is among the highest in the country for major public institutions. Every KNH degree is designed to be completed in four years when followed according to the program of study. Academic advisors will assist in your course selection and program planning. Be aware that changing your major, adding a second major or deviating from the planned program could lengthen your time for completion.
Can I combine study abroad opportunities with my KNH major?
Yes. Miami is among the top 25 schools in the nation in the number of students who study abroad. Many students choose Miami’s Luxembourg campus for overseas study, but a variety of additional international opportunities exist, including KNH-sponsored summer courses in France and Tibet.
Advisors are available to help you work out an individual course of study and plan your international experience. Year-long, semester-long or summer programs are available.
What careers are available to KNH majors?
Our graduates have impressive careers in a variety of fields, including schools, hospitals, government, corporations, and non-profit agencies. Miami’s emphasis on a liberal, broad-based education combined with the department’s top-rated programs make KNH students sought after.
While job prospects vary by the major you select, KNH graduates are highly regarded. Miami provides a number of resources to students as they prepare to launch their careers, including a nationally recognized Office of Career Services.
You’ll also be able to participate in one of the largest collegiate career fairs in the nation, an internship fair, a teacher job fair, and have access to a full range of services.
Can undergraduates get into a teacher licensure program at Miami?
Yes. KNH prepares students to be licensed to teach health education and physical education.
Unlike some universities, Miami offers teacher licensure programs to undergraduates. That means that you can major in a licensure program, graduate (typically in four years) and immediately be hired to be a licensed classroom teacher without first having to earn a master’s degree.
Are KNH programs accredited or certified? And if so, what does that mean to students?
Not all our programs are subject to accreditation or certification, but many are. When a rigorous process is available, we participate because the process provides extra assurances to students and prospective employers that our programs meet the highest professional standards.
KNH offers accredited or certified programs in:
- Health Education, accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- Physical Education, accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) through the National Association for Sport & Physical Education
- Exercise Science, certification in process by the American College of Sports Medicine
Upon completion of the Athletic Training major, students are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Once a student passes the exam, he or she becomes a Certified Athletic Trainer and is eligible to practice the profession of athletic training.
Upon graduation as a Dietetics major, a student must complete an ADA (American Dietetics Association) approved clinical experience and then pass a national exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) in order to become a registered dietician.
Are there opportunities for undergraduate research?
Miami has amazing undergraduate research opportunities, and many of our undergraduates work side-by-side with faculty members on scholarly projects. In fact, KNH undergraduates regularly co-author articles that are published in scholarly journals.
Learn more about the array of undergraduate research opportunities by going here: http://www.units.muohio.edu/oars/undergrad_research/
What can I expect in the way of classrooms and laboratory facilities?
Phillips Hall recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation and our faculty and students now work in state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories. Find out more.
Can I double major and still graduate on time?
It depends on what you select to study. By taking full loads each semester and possibly some summer courses, it is possible to combine some KNH majors and graduate in four years since requirements for many KNH majors have some overlap. For example, a double major in exercise science and psychology can be completed in four years, but a double major in exercise science and early childhood education is not doable because these are distinctly different areas of study and each has its own requirements with little overlap.
Students should also consider the many options for minors.
Will there be academic advisors to help me when I enroll?
Yes, we’re well aware that as a new student you’ll have many questions. So you will have a variety of assistance available, starting with orientation. Once you’re on campus you can go for help to KNH faculty advisors, first-year advisors in your residence hall, our chief departmental advisers and/or a coordinator of student services in the dean’s office. This site provides more background. http://www.units.muohio.edu/eap/currentstudents/academicadvising.html
What about financial assistance?
The majority of Miami students receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, or work/study employment and campus jobs. An important thing to remember when comparing the cost of schools is that more than 65 percent of Miami students graduate in four years or less (compared to 36.4 percent nationally). For complete information about financial assistance visit Miami’s Office of Student Financial Assistance.
The KNH Department has a limited number of scholarships for upperclass majors. Learn more.
If I have further questions is there someone at KNH I can talk to before applying?
Call or email Jennifer Edwards, advisor for KNH, at 513-529-3033 or edwardjl@muohio.edu
How do I become a KNH major at Miami?
First, you need to declare a pre-major. You can do this when you apply to or anytime after you arrive on campus. You’ll be assigned a faculty advisor and you’ll be informed what courses you need to take to complete the pre-major.
Once your advisor has agreed you have completed the necessary pre-major coursework and met any other criteria (grade-point requirements, completing the essay required in some majors, etc.) you can apply for major status. Learn more.
What high school courses will best prepare me for a KNH degree?
We highly recommend challenging college preparatory courses, including advanced placement classes, if available, in English, science, mathematics, and social studies.