Department of Kinesiology & Health Fitness

Professor: McMurray, Department Chair
Associate Professor: Dalton, Verhulst
Assistant Professor: Martin

Mission and Goals:

The Department of Kinesiology and Health Fitness at McMurry University provides a transformative education that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and passion to pursue careers in health, wellness, and fitness. Rooted in the Methodist tradition of service, our department fosters a supportive and inclusive learning environment that emphasizes academic excellence, ethical leadership, and a commitment to promoting lifelong health and well-being.

The department offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates both theoretical knowledge and practical application, providing students with opportunities for research, hands-on experiences, and internships. Our faculty, who are dedicated teacher-scholars, mentor students through personalized instruction and research projects, preparing them to excel in a wide range of professional fields, such as careers of teaching, coaching, athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, fitness and sport business management and leadership, consulting, community-based program development, and other sports related endeavors.

Through classroom and physically active experiences, students are challenged to:

Effectively communicate orally and in writing, apply but also innovate, and be professionally collaborative in health and fitness-related enterprises.
Establish the value of health and fitness for self, associates, and society as a whole, by utilizing best practices for safety and injury prevention.
Develop knowledge, attitudes, and habits necessary to maintain health and achieve optimal well-being.
Acquire knowledge and skills for successful health and fitness-related careers using evidence-based research.
Engage in scholarly and creative activity that analyzes one’s own work and the work of others.
Assess behavior, prescribe exercise, and apply appropriate leadership to enhance physical, intellectual, spiritual, social, and emotional wellbeing of a variety of participants.
Create a foundation to gain wisdom throughout the lifespan.

Special Programs and Opportunities:

Kinesiology Klub. The McMurry Kinesiology Klub is open to all interested students. It is affiliated with the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Activities include programs with guest professionals, field trips to professional meetings and workshops, and fund-raising activities. Qualifying members are inducted each spring into the national fraternity, Phi Epsilon Kappa.

Phi Epsilon Kappa: In the fall of the academic year, the department of Kinesiology at McMurry University actively encourages its majors and minors to be members of the Klub (spelled with a K for Kinesiology). In the spring semester, the sponsors review the grades and the service credits of the Klub members. Only those who have attained highest standards are inducted into Phi Epsilon Kappa, the national departmental fraternity.

Departmental Awards. Each Spring, six awards are presented to outstanding students who are engaged in professional preparation in this department. The Hadley and McCowen Scholarships are awarded to Pre-Athletic Training students in the Exercise Science and Human Performance major. The Swagerty, Seidel, Stith and Feris awards are given to juniors displaying leadership in kinesiology. The Dr. Pug Deavenport Parris Endowed Scholarship is awarded to students meeting two of the following three criteria: active in campus ministries or local United Methodist church, a member of the Kinesiology club, or is from the geographic area serviced by the Northwest Texas or New Mexico Conferences of the United Methodist Church.

Departmental Honors. Please see the description of the McMurry University Honors Program under the Special Program section in the catalog.

Pre-License Athletic Training Apprenticeship Program

Advisor: Dr. Janet McMurray - Admission to the Athletic Training Program is selective, based on application to the program (mcmurraj@mcm.edu), academic standing, and acceptance into the program.

This program meets the requirements issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for pre-license apprenticeship in preparation for licensure in athletic training. Students in this program may pair any degree or major with the Pre-Licensure Athletic Training program by taking the coursework required by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), (http://www.tdlr.texas.gov). This coursework is required by the TDLR to register for the Athletic Training test for licensure. These requirements will be in addition to other requirements of their chosen degree:

Pre-License Athletic Training Apprenticeship	Hours
[Select 6 hrs from] (These labs satisfy the 1800 clock hours of supervised work in the athletic training room required by the state of Texas) KINE 1121, 1122, 2121, 2122, 3121, 3122, 4121, 4122	6
BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I	4
KINE 2361 Assessment of Athletic Injuries	3
KINE 2335 Accident Prevention and Care of Injuries	3
KINE 3307 Nutrition for the Health Sciences	3
KINE 3321 Anatomical Kinesiology	3
KINE 3331 Personal and Community Health	3
KINE 3370 Principles of Rehabilitation	3
KINE 4315 Exercise Physiology I	3
Additional: CPR / AED Certifications are needed
TOTAL HOURS	34

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Courses

Health Fitness

Kinesiology