OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120
Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.75
Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: 2.75
Other GPA requirements to graduate:
Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: KPE 427
Contact Information: The Advising Center, 100 Shibles Hall, (207) 581-2412 or email the Advising Center at: advisingcenter@maine.edu
Students in the Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE) programs pursue a concentration in Teacher Certification or Exercise Science. Each career preparation path leads to a thorough physiological, mechanical and developmental understanding of human health and physical performance. Upon graduation, students become teachers, coaches, fitness specialists/administrators, athletic trainers or pursue advanced degrees in allied health fields such as: physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, physician or physician’s assistant.
Students in KPE use state-of-the-art metabolic and bio-mechanical analysis systems to develop their understanding of human work capacity and movement. They practice with the latest applications and modalities for injury evaluation and rehabilitation. In a number of applied settings, students work a wide variety of age groups and physical abilities gaining valuable “hands on” experience.
Teaching/Coaching Certification Concentration
Teaching/Coaching Concentration emphasizes putting theory into practice. Even before they begin student teaching, students are active participants in K-12 physical education programs. In learning effective strategies, students teach individual and small group lessons, videotape their sessions, and receive individual analysis and feedback from faculty and peers. This degree program is approved by the Maine Department of Education and accredited by the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Within the Teaching/Coaching Concentration program there are two options of study:
Health Option: The Health Option focuses on the core pedagogical requirements for teaching health courses in schools. Students that complete the health option fulfill the requirements to receive endorsement in teaching Health Education at the elementary and secondary level in the State of Maine, in addition to their certification to teach elementary and secondary physical education.
Liberal Arts Option: The Liberal Arts Option provides students with the opportunity to take a variety of courses to fulfill a well-rounded education. Students that complete the liberal arts concentration fulfill the requirements to teach elementary and secondary physical education.
Exercise Science Concentration
Within the Exercise Science Concentration program there are four options of study:
Science Option: The laboratory science-based option prepares students for post-graduate programs in allied health. Graduates from this option go on to attend schools of medicine, physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or other medically-based programs of study. This concentration requires an additional 12-15 hours, beyond the major requirements, of laboratory sciences. Within the concentration area some lab science hours may be substituted with specific 300-500 level KPE courses upon permission.
Administration Option: Students graduate with an academic minor in Business. They are prepared for careers in allied health as well as the private health/fitness industry, with an emphasis on operational management.
Innovation Engineering Option: This program allows students to create, communicate, and realize/commercialize unique ides in the field of exercise science. The objective is to give students the tools and confidence needed to create their own opportunities, and to lead within their careers.
Logan 3 + 3 Option: The 3 + 3 Program allows students to complete their three years of required undergraduate studies at one of the partnered schools and complete the fourth year of undergraduate studies while enrolled in Logan’s Doctor of Chiropractic program. At the end of the student’s first year of studies toward their doctorate degree at Logan, they are awarded their bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine.