What should I major in?

Department: Health and Human Performance

School: College of Health Affairs

Department Chair: Zelma Mata

Prerequisites: None

What is the Department of Health and Human Performance? “Kinesiology comes from the word ‘kinesis,’ which means motion, so by definition kinesiology is the study of motion. Here we add the term human motion, so it’s basically the study of human motion. You can go noncertified without any teaching associated with it, or you can go certified in which you want to become a teacher in the public schools, K-12. You can also get an exercise science degree and go that route. We also have degrees in health, noncertified and certified.”

Which classes can students expect to take? “Most of our courses are theory or content courses. We do have some activity courses that students have to learn how to dribble a ball, things that are in the cycle of motor learning domain. Primarily, they are cognitive or theory work. They do have to know how to play some of the basic sports, which are taught in most of our classes. We embed the activities into our theory classes, so the instructor will talk about how to play the game of basketball and then they will go to the gym. Some classes will have multiple activities embedded. For example, one course may gear towards teaching elementary children and then they may have five or six activities in it, where they learn how to teach children how to play fundamental games.”

What skills will students learn by the time they graduate? “Most of it will be acquisition of knowledge.”

What are some possible careers? “If you go noncertified, that’s telling us that you don’t want to teach. Some careers simply ask for a college degree, like some of the federal programs. For those that want to teach, and probably a third of our students want to teach in the public schools, take the certified route and learn how to be physical education teachers. Then, those who go with the exercise science route probably do not want to teach but they will go on and get a degree in occupational therapy or physical therapy or something like that. Those that take the health courses that don’t go certified, the health department here or agencies out in the public domain hire people who have a bachelor’s background in health. Those that go certified will be prepared to teach health in the public schools.

Who are some possible employers? “Most school districts will have about two or three teachers in the elementary schools. Then there is your junior high and high school, where you have athletic teams. They hire a lot of physical education teachers because they have a background in sports and things, so basically anything at the public school level. Those that go the health route will be more in the public or private sector, like hospitals or organizations. Planned Parenthood might be one that will hire. There are a lot of organizations out there that ask someone to teach in a foreign country. There is just a broad array of opportunities, but most of them that stay in the Valley go with public school teaching.”

What salary can a student expect to earn after graduation? “Well if you go the teaching route, I believe the starting salary is low- to mid-$40,000. If you are simply getting a degree to fill the federal requirement, it depends upon what they offer. I’m not too familiar with them. Those that go with health, public or private sector, probably mid-$40,000 to $50,000.”

Are there any student clubs? “We have a health and kinesiology club. They meet every Tuesday in Room 142 in Health and Physical Education 2. It is a student-run club that elects their own officers. They do a lot of community service, like Special Olympics. They go out and help schools organize Special Olympic events. In February, we have a Valentine’s dance here for special needs students. We get about 400 to 500 kids here from around the area.

For more information: call Jorgensen at 665-3506 or email layne.jorgensen@utrgv.edu or Alma Arteaga, Health and Human Performance Department administrative assistant at 665-3501 or email alma.arteaga@utrgv.edu.

–Compiled by Sarah Carvajal