Department of Kinesiology

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We create and disseminate new knowledge related to physical activity, sports, and physical education. We prepare scholars and researchers, physical education teachers, and sport specialists to deliver education, sport, and rehabilitative services for all segments of society. This includes special populations such as children, the elderly, athletes, and persons with disability, injury and disease.

We offer degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level in exercise science, physical education and sport management. These programs will apply knowledge, principles, and methods from the behavioral, biological, medical, and physical sciences to the study of physical activity and sport.

The Department of Kinesiology is a member of the American Kinesiology Association

Concentrations

Athletic Training

Our mission is to educate a workforce of allied healthcare providers to serve the public, promote health, and enhance safety.

Exercise Science

Gain in-depth knowledge of the scientific basis of physical activity, exercise and sport. Students may apply this knowledge to the general population or to specific populations such as children and older adults, athletes, and individuals with chronic diseases, conditions, or disabilities.

Physical Education

Physical education teaches physical activities, sports skills and fitness to all segments of the population. It is taught as a course to elementary, middle, high school, and college students to improve their motor coordination, physical fitness, and develop teamwork skills.

Sport Management

Gain a full understanding of multiple areas of sport management through interdisciplinary classes that blend business practices with the needs of the sport industry.

Degree Programs

Double Dawgs Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degrees

BSEd in Kinesiology (Sport Management) / MS in Sport Management (non-thesis)

Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd)

Minors

Master of Science (MS)

Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)

Master of Science in Athletic Training

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Research Grants

Drive Safe

This project will assess driving performance in adolescent and young adult driving after a concussion and identify clinic assessments, used commonly in primary care and concussion clinics, which predict post-concussive driving performance.
- Sponsored by: Andee’s Army (sub-award from the Shepherd Center)
- Principal Investigator: Julianne D. Schmidt, Russell Gore, Medical Director of Vestibular Neurology, Shepherd Center
Effect of Vibration on Muscle Properties, Physical Activity, and Balance in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is the most common developmental disability in children. Therefore, identifying effective treatment strategies that lead to better muscle development and balance and increased physical activity participation is needed.
- Sponsored by: National Institutes of Health
- Principal Investigator: Christopher M. Modlesky
Longitudinal Assessment of Post-Concussion Driving (LAPD)

We aspire to be a global leader in creating physical activity knowledge, programs, and services while positively impacting the State of Georgia, the United States, and other nations by developing scholars and practitioners who study and promote physical activity, exercise, and sport.
- Sponsored by: National Institutes of Health to Emory University Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance
- Principal Investigator: Julianne D. Schmidt
NCAA-DOD Grand Alliance

This investigation is poised to address the true natural history of clinical recovery of SRC, which has critical implications for improving safety, injury prevention, and medical care in athletes and military personnel.
- Sponsored by: U.S. Department of Defense (subcontract from University of Michigan)
- Principal Investigator: Julianne D. Schmidt
Optimizing Concussion Care Seeking (OCCS) In Military Service Members and Athletes: A Machine Learning Approach Using CARE Consortium Data

We aspire to be a global leader in creating physical activity knowledge, programs, and services while positively impacting the State of Georgia, the United States, and other nations by developing scholars and practitioners who study and promote physical activity, exercise, and sport.
- Sponsored by: U.S. Department of Defense (Federal Interagency Traumatic Brain Injury Research Analysis Award)
- Principal Investigator: Julianne D. Schmidt
Regenerative Rehabilitation Solutions to Improve Functional Limitations and Plasticity Following Volumetric Muscle Loss

We aspire to be a global leader in creating physical activity knowledge, programs, and services while positively impacting the State of Georgia, the United States, and other nations by developing scholars and practitioners who study and promote physical activity, exercise, and sport.
- Sponsored by: University of Minnesota; U.S. Department of Defense
- Principal Investigator: Sarah Greising, Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
The Virtual Fitness Buddy Ecosystem

Childhood obesity is a critical health issues facing children between the ages of 6-10. The Virtual Fitness Buddy Ecosystem is a system of consumer-grade digital devices to help children and parents move together toward a common goal of increasing moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity.
- Sponsored by: National Institutes of Health
- Principal Investigator: Sun Joo Ahn, Grady College

Outreach Programs

Pediatric Exercise and Motor Development Clinic

For more than 40 years, the Pediatric Exercise and Motor Development Clinic has helped children and adolescents with disabilities to gain strength and confidence through one-on-one instruction and personalized physical education plans.

Fulfill Your PE Requirement

The UGA Physical Education requirement can be fulfilled by successfully completing any course with the PEDB prefix. If you are unsure which class is best for you, or have some questions about the requirement, please download our information sheet before contacting the department.

Research Labs

By working in the Ramsey Center, students enjoy a wealth of hands-on experience in our many research labs. Work closely with faculty and peers who share your research interests.

Graduate Assistantships

Eligibility

Any applicants to a program in the Department of Kinesiology can apply for a graduate assistantship.

Description

Assistantship Information

Assistantship opportunities within the Kinesiology Department are available to highly qualified applicants, providing financial support and professional, teaching, or research experience. Graduate assistants work between 13-20 hours/week while completing their academic programs and receive a monthly stipend, full tuition waiver, and one-third remission of health insurance if enrolled on the university plan.

Other Assistantship Opportunities

Depending upon your background and interests you may also wish to apply for assistantship opportunities outside the Department of Kinesiology, such as:

Recreational Sports
Athletic training with the UGA Athletic Association
For more information on additional opportunities through the Athletic Association, please visit the Athletic Association's Office of Human Resources

Even more financial aid information can be requested from the Office of Student Financial Aid.

How To Apply

Assistantship Application

If you are interested in a departmental assistantship, complete your program's application for admission by January 10 and submit your application for graduate assistantship as soon as possible.

Selection Process

Departmental assistantships are chosen once a year for the coming academic year. Students with an assistantship must be enrolled during the academic year. Applications are reviewed starting around February 1. Usually 80% of the assistantships are awarded during the months of February and March, and the remainder during April. You cannot be awarded an assistantship until you have been admitted to a degree program in the University.

Undergraduate Research

Research

The Department of Kinesiology strongly encourages undergraduates to pursue independent research as part of their education. In addition to the high value placed on research by medical and graduate school admissions committees, an undergraduate research experience serves to engage students in "active learning" outside of the traditional classroom.

Undergraduate students have several options in regards to coursework related to their research experience. Most students begin in KINS 3480: Practicum in Kinesiology Research. This course designation is repeatable and is most appropriate for students who are beginning in a lab or who are generally assisting with the research of a faculty member. Students interested in pursuing this course should first contact a faculty member to find a lab in which they can become engaged. Once this participation has been established, students can formally apply for this course credit.

For more seasoned students, or those who have more of an active role in the lab, R-suffix courses are likely more appropriate. These "faculty-mentored undergraduate research" courses are sequential and progressive as denoted in their numbering (KINS 4960R, KINS 4970R, KINS 4980R) with the final course (KINS 4990R) being a capstone or thesis project course.

Please note that students do not have to wait until their senior year to start in a lab—in fact, faculty are generally more enthusiastic about students who have spent several semesters (even years!) in the lab. Those longer-term research experiences will be particularly beneficial as faculty mentors will be especially committed to students' training and education. Some faculty are happy to mentor students for a single semester, while others prefer a longer commitment.

Applications for Research Course Approval

Research Course Forms

KINS 4960R, 4970R, and 4980R Application Form

Thesis

After completing KINS 4960R, students should have a serious discussion with their research mentor about the possibility of continuing in the lab to work towards a thesis. At minimum, a thesis will require two semesters of additional research beyond KINS 4960R (KINS 4970R and 4980R). Some faculty may have additional requirements for students who wish to complete the thesis.

KINS 4990R Application Form

When turning in your thesis, you may create your own cover sheet, or you may use the cover sheet template.

Please note that if you create your own cover sheet, you must still have the appropriate signatures listed on your sheet.

How do you become involved in undergraduate research?

The easiest way is to contact a Kinesiology faculty member whose work interests you. Students can view each faculty member's research interest on their profile page.

For those faculty whose research looks particularly interesting, you might read a few of their recent papers. Then, email the faculty member and ask if they are interested in having an undergraduate conducting research in the lab. If so, arrange to meet with the faculty member to discuss the possibilities. Please try to line up a meeting in the semester prior to the one in which you want to start.

KINS Research FAQs KINS R-Suffix Overview

Student Organizations

Exercise is Medicine-On Campus (EIM-OC)

The Exercise is Medicine-On Campus organization works to engage in the promotion of physical activity as a vital sign of health. We encourage faculty, staff, and students to work together toward improving the health and well-being of the campus community.

Faculty advisor: Ellen M. Evans

Omega Tau

Omega Tau is a pre-professional organization for students pursuing a career in occupational therapy. Our goal is to prepare students for graduate school and a career.

We organize professional speakers to come and speak to members about the profession, graduate school, and additional information relevant to the field, and we also provide shadowing and volunteer opportunities to our members.

Faculty advisor: Christopher D. Mojock

Rho Tau

Rho Tau is a pre-physical therapy club open to any student interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy. The club hosts both representatives from physical therapy programs and physical therapists to guest lecture.

Sports Business Club (SBC)

The UGA Sports Business Club gives students opportunities to network with industry professionals and to find out about internships and other opportunities.

This club is open to all majors and anyone who has an interest in pursuing a career involving sports. A usual meeting consists of a guest speaker presentation followed by a Q&A session.

Faculty advisor: Thomas Alexander Baker III