Kinesiology at Goshen
“When health is absent,
wisdom cannot reveal itself,
art cannot manifest,
strength cannot fight,
wealth becomes useless,
and intelligence cannot be applied.”
-Herophilus
Understanding the science of movement
All physical education majors take courses which focus on the scientific study of human movement. These courses include exercise physiology, kinesiology (a.k.a. applied biomechanics) and motor learning. In addition to providing a base of knowledge in the discipline, students are prepared for graduate level work after the successful completion of these courses.
Personal Training and Group Fitness Instruction
Students learn how to be personal trainers and how to lead spinning, aerobics, aquatics or conditioning classes. In this program, which emphasizes American College of Sport Medicine guidelines, we collaborate with a local retirement center, the local hospital and work in our own fitness center to learn best practice in the field.
Sport Management
Administration classes, business classes and hands-on internships prepare Goshen graduates for careers in sport management, such as marketing, managing a fitness facility or sport venue, directing a sport program, running sport events, working in public parks and recreation jobs.
Learning how to teach and coach
Helping others develop healthy lifestyles and physical skill is a rewarding physical education possibility.
At Goshen, a teaching major prepares you for K-12 teaching in physical education and health (optional). We work closely with the Education Department in preparing students to pass the test for licensure. Students begin working in the public school system with current teachers early in the program.
The coaching endorsement requirements allow students to learn and develop leadership skills specifically related to the coaching profession. Sociological and psychological aspects are discussed in this class in addition to more practical aspects related to coaching such as practice planning, running drills, budgeting and ordering equipment. Coaching internships provide real world experience for students with this career goal.
Promoting wellness
All students at Goshen College are required to take a wellness class. This class introduces first year students to the Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center and encourages them to utilize the facilities available. Each student develops and implements his or her own personalized wellness plan during the semester and conducts a nutritional analysis using the DINE analysis software on a computer.
Activity classes for all
Activity classes offered by the kinesiology department include badminton, cycling, golf, international folk dance, outdoor recreation/canoeing, racquetball, swimming, tennis and tumbling.
