Kinesiology

Faculty

Alan P. Jung, Chair, Associate Professor
James B. Angel, Professor
Ralph R. Gold Jr., Associate Professor
John K. Petrella, Associate Professor
Robert W. Hensarling, Jr., Assistant Professor
W. Nathan Kirkpatrick, Assistant Professor
Shannon M. Ashe, Instructor, Clinical Coordinator
Allison J. Jackson, Instructor

Mission

The mission of the Department of Kinesiology is to nurture and prepare students to positively contribute to the health and well-being of members of society and to instill in all students, faculty, and staff, a commitment to lifetime fitness and positive health. An exemplary education provided in a Christian context, by individuals with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in scholarship, service and teaching provide the mechanism to fulfill this mission.

Vision

The vision of the Department of Kinesiology is to challenge students continually to improve the health and well-being of society by exhibiting the highest standards of quality in teaching, scholarship and service; and to assume the leadership role among undergraduate academic programs in our field in meeting the challenges of preventive medicine and health care.

Values

Five fundamental values form the foundation of the Department of Kinesiology culture.

Collaboration - The phrase “to act as a unit” forms the basis of the kinesiology department. This value ensures that all students will benefit from the collective wisdom of a team of education professionals.

Quality - A commitment to quality has created the kinesiology department’s legacy of achievement and innovation in curricular and programmatic areas resulting in high achievement for students and faculty. The kinesiology department has taken a leadership role in cultivating intellectual curiosity of students and establishing standards of excellence.

Integrity - Adherence to scientific, professional, and personal integrity are the ethical cornerstones that underlie our desire to do the following: mentor students; conduct clinical research investigations; educate students and allied health professionals; guide the fiscal and administrative management of the kinesiology department.

Compassion - A commitment to compassion includes a respect for our students’ and their families’ needs for emotional support during their time at Samford. The kinesiology department believes in providing the highest level of service to its students and families.

Commitment - As an institution, the kinesiology department recognizes its responsibilities to the community in which it resides, to the students it services, to Samford University and to the individuals in leadership who oversee the management of its resources.

Undergraduate Programs and Requirements

The Department of Kinesiology offers majors in athletic training (ATTR), exercise science (pre-physical therapy) (EXER), fitness and health promotion (FHP), sport administration (SADM), and sports medicine (SMED) leading to a bachelor of science degree. The sport administration major also has an optional concentration available in sports and recreation ministry. See department chair for details. 

A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all KINE prefix courses within each major and minor.

University Core Curriculum and General Education Requirements

See University Core Curriculum and General Education Requirements  in the Howard College of Arts and Sciences introductory pages for a list of required courses. General Education Requirements are detailed in the individual kinesiology degree tables, with the exception of the physical activity requirement. Consult the Physical Activity Program  for a list of applicable activity courses.

Problem-Based Learning

The long-range goal of the problem-based learning (PBL) methodology is the acquisition and retention of greater amounts of information to be used in solving real world problems utilizing critical-thinking skills necessary for success in today’s rapidly changing world. Through the implementation of PBL, it is the hope of the faculty of the Department of Kinesiology to develop dynamic group interaction skills, critical-thinking skills, and a desire in the students to be actively involved in their learning throughout the course, the remainder of their undergraduate education, and ultimately throughout their careers. The problems will assist students in making the important connections between classroom concepts, principles, theories, and their application to the real world environment. The kinesiology faculty has developed PBL throughout the curriculum of each departmental major.

Athletic Training Major

Athletic training is designed to prepare students in the “major tasks” comprising the role of the certified athletic trainer. These tasks include the following: 1) prevention of athletic injuries; 2) evaluation, recognition, and immediate care of athletic injuries; 3) rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries; 4) health care administration; and 5) professional development and responsibility.

The program is offered as a nonteaching major containing, in addition to athletic training studies, courses in nutrition and psychology. The program was developed to prepare students to meet the Board of Certification requirements.

The Samford University Athletic Training Education Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program has met the nationally-recognized Standards for Entry-Level Athletic Training Education that were established with support of the following sponsoring organizations: the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and the National Athletic Trainer’s Association, Inc.

Admission Requirements and Procedures

1. Accepted for admission to Samford University.
2. Make a written request for an Athletic Training Education Program application packet to: Director of Athletic Training Education, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, 35229.
3. Complete an application and obtain three letters of recommendation, three reference forms, and official transcripts from all high schools and higher education institutions attended. Submit materials to: Director of Athletic Training Education, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama 35229.
4. Priority consideration will be given to prospective students who meet the following academic standards:
   1. Achieve a composite score of 21 on the ACT or 900 on the SAT.
   2. Graduate from high school with a GPA of 3.00 or above.
   3. Transfer to Samford University from another institution with a GPA of 3.00 or above.
5. Approved by the Athletic Training Admissions Committee (ATAC). The ATAC reviews all application packets and makes a report to the director of athletic training education regarding eligibility for admission to the program.
6. After eligibility status has been approved, the applicant must interview with the ATAC.
7. Must demonstrate technical standards for admission. (See Technical Standards for Admission box below.)
8. In order to be admitted to the Athletic Training Education Program a student must have completed a course in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automatic Electronic Defibrillator). Documentation of completion of this course must be included with application materials.
9. All students entering the Athletic Training Education Program must have reviewed the OSHA/Blood Bourne Pathogens Guidelines included in the application packet. Upon review of the materials, the student must sign the statement indicating that they have reviewed and understand the materials. During athletic training student orientation a quiz regarding this material will be given after a brief review of the materials.
10. All students entering the Athletic Training Education Program must be immunized for Hepatitis B. Proof of this vaccination must be provided in the application materials.
11. Prospective students should sign the confidentiality statement included with the application materials. This statement informs the students that they may see or hear medical information regarding the health and welfare of a student athlete. Athletic training students are not allowed to discuss medical information with anyone other than the athletic training and sports medicine staff.
12. Upon completion of all interviews, recommendations are made by the ATAC concerning admission to the program. In order for the student to be admitted, there must be an available position so that the clinical instructor-to-student ratio guidelines are not violated. Students selected for admission into the program will be notified in writing by the director of athletic training education.
13. Any student who, in the opinion of the ATAC, is judged to have characteristics that are deemed to be undesirable for the profession of athletic training may, with proper review, be denied admission to the athletic training program.
14. Applicants who do not meet the stated criteria may be considered on an individual basis for conditional status admission. The ATAC will stipulate the terms of the conditional status admission in writing to the applicant. Students admitted under conditional status must carefully follow the stipulations set forth by the ATAC. If the student is unable to follow the said stipulation, he/she will be dismissed from the program.

Transfer Policy Information

1. Transfers are considered to be students who come to Samford University from other schools or who are currently enrolled at Samford but change their major to athletic training.
2. Transfer students must follow the guidelines of the University to be admitted to the program. This information may be found in the Transfer Student Applicant  section of this catalog.
3. A student who is transferring will be given priority consideration if he/she has a 3.00 GPA from the institution that they formerly attended.
4. Transfer students will follow a similar progression as a sophomore in the program. Attempts will be made to maintain course sequencing as is possible pursuant to the classes offered across the curriculum.

Retention Requirements

1. Athletic training students must maintain academic requirements set forth by Samford University. In addition, each student must maintain an overall GPA of 2.00.
2. Should a student’s GPA fall below the required level, he/she will be placed on probation by the director of athletic training education. Should a student be placed on probation, he/she must make satisfactory progress within two semesters. Should he/she be unable to do so, the student will be dismissed from the program. In the event that the student’s GPA rises to the acceptable level after being dismissed from the program, the application process is the same as for any other student.
3. Students making less than a C- in a required athletic training course will be required to repeat the course. These courses are: KINE 232 , KINE 274 , KINE 275 , KINE 276 , KINE 277 , KINE 300 , KINE 345 , KINE 374 , KINE 375 , KINE 376 , KINE 450 , KINE 451 , KINE 473 , KINE 476 , KINE 477 , KINE 478 , KINE 485 , KINE 486 , KINE 498 , and KINE 499 .
4. A student may repeat only one required course (see list above) in which a grade of less than C was received. Failure to make at least a C in two required courses or one course twice will result in dismissal from the program.
5. Any student who, in the opinion of the ATAC, is judged to have developed characteristics that are deemed to be undesirable for the profession of athletic training may, with proper review, be dismissed from the program.
6. A student must be able to demonstrate technical standards to continue in the program.
7. Athletic training students are required to submit a current CPR/AED certification card at the beginning of each school year. The certification must be current through the end of that school year.
8. Students will attend a basic review of OSHA guidelines and complete a quiz regarding the information discussed in this review.
9. All athletic training students must abide by the disciplinary rules of Samford. Any student not abiding by the rules will be subject to University discipline.
10. All athletic training students are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Department of Athletics rules. All discipline will be carried out in the appropriate manner as specified and defined in the Department of Athletics drug testing policy and procedures statement.
11. Appeals regarding any of the retention rules and requirements will be heard by the director of athletic training education, the chair of the Department of Kinesiology, and the dean of the School of Health Professions. All appeals must be made in writing and submitted to the director of athletic training education.

Programs

• Athletic Training Major (Non-Teaching), B.S.
• Exercise Science Major, B.S.
• Fitness and Health Promotion Major, B.S.
• Sport Administration Major with a Concentration in Sports & Recreation Ministry
• Sport Administration Major, B.S.
• Sports Medicine Major, B.S.

• Physical Activity Program

Courses

All varsity sports are graded pass/fail and may be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Only one instance of varsity sports can be applied towards the general education physical activity requirement.

• PHED 149 - Varsity Soccer-Women
• PHED 150 - Varsity Basketball-Women
• PHED 151 - Varsity Football
• PHED 152 - Varsity Softball-Women
• PHED 153 - Varsity Cross Country