College of Communication & Education

MA in Kinesiology

Overview

Graduates of the Department of Kinesiology are well prepared to work in a variety of physical activity professions serving people of all ages. Student-centered instruction blending theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience makes our graduates attractive candidates for careers or advanced study in fitness leadership, physical education, and sports medicine. The Department of Kinesiology is fortunate to have quality facilities on campus and access to beautiful outdoor areas in Northern California. The department is housed in the new 64,000 square foot Yolo Hall located adjacent to the Shurmer-Acker Gym complex and playing fields. Department majors utilize dedicated laboratories for adapted physical education, athletic training, biomechanics, exercise physiology, fitness, motor behavior, and pedagogy. Other instructional facilities include dance studios, a climbing wall, a ropes course, two gymnasiums, swimming pools, a track, weight training/fitness rooms, and golf, soccer and multipurpose fields.

Mission

The mission of the graduate program in Kinesiology at Chico State is to provide students the opportunity to gain an in depth understanding of the theoretical basis of human movement and to develop the skills, knowledge and research experience to become leaders in education and research. An outstanding graduate faculty and state of the art laboratories enhance graduate student learning in Kinesiology.

This mission provides students the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the theoretical basis of human movement and to develop the skills, knowledge and research experience to become leaders in education and research. An outstanding graduate faculty and state of the art laboratories enhance graduate student learning in Kinesiology at Chico State. The graduate core curriculum gives students a cross-disciplinary exposure to the study of human movement. Along with classroom studies, involvement in original laboratory and field research constitutes a major means by which students gain a broad understanding of their specialty area.

Goals & Objectives

  • Skills: Students will read, analyze and communicate the literature in Kinesiology.
  • Knowledge: Students will develop a knowledge base in Kinesiology.
  • Research Experience: Students will acquire research experience via the literature and via “hands on” activities in the laboratory and community.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master's degree in Kinesiology at Chico State, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles and an understanding of the current research in the field of Kinesiology;
  2. Apply critical thinking, writing, reading, oral communication, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and information management skills to movement-related questions;
  3. Understand the scientific method and other systematic ways of knowing relative to research and scholarship in human movement;
  4. Develop a sense of responsibility to and for the profession and be professionally involved at the local, state and/or regional levels;
  5. Be prepared to engage in informed dialogue with diverse professional and lay communities regarding kinesiology principles and practices.