Department of Kinesiology

Does Iowa State have a major in "Sports Medicine"?

"Sports Medicine" is a broad term that encompasses many careers that involve the medical treatment and/or prevention of sport-related injuries. It includes professionals such as orthopedist, physical therapist, athletic trainer, exercise specialist, sport nutritionist and sport psychologist to name a few. At Iowa State, Kinesiology prepares athletic trainers through our major and/or minor. We prepare exercise specialists who develop specialized exercise prescriptions and fitness programs or work in cardiac rehabilitation settings. And we prepare students who wish to go on to professional school to become physical therapists, physician assistants and medical doctors.

What if I want to go to physical therapy school? Should I major in Biology, Zoology or Health & Human Performance?

Physical therapy schools accept students based on coursework (chemistry, physics, zoology, biology, psychology, math, statistics) and on professional experience. You need to consider two questions: Which major will best prepare me for PT school? and which major provides career alternatives that I would enjoy if PT school doesn’t happen? You must have a career "Plan B" if PT school does not work out for you! To answer these questions, take a look at the courses required in each major. The Biology major has foundation coursework in biology; the Zoology majo'’s is zoology; Health & Human Performance has foundation coursework in the human movement sciences of biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor learning, sociology and psychology of sport/physical activity.

In Health & Human Performance, career alternatives are numerous and focus on work in rehabilitative areas, exercise/fitness specialties as well as wellness and preventive medicine. We suggest you also examine the career alternatives in Biology and Zoology by talking with a representative in each department.

I see you have a career track in Community/Public Health. Does that prepare me to teach health in public schools?

The Community Public/Health track prepares a student to become an educator regarding health issues in both public and private sector jobs, but NOT in the public school setting. Graduates in the CPH track are not licensed to teach health in the public school sector. They are health specialists who find work in areas such as:

* federal, state, local government health agencies
* private non-profit agencies such as American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association or Planned Parenthood.

What if I want to teach health in the public school setting?

At Iowa State, you can take coursework to get licensed to teach health in public schools. This is an add-on program called a "health endorsement" and is added on to the requirements of a student's major.

What I really want to do is be a coach. How can I do that?

We suggest that you consider the coaching minor offered through our department if you want to be hired for a coaching position with youth sport. It is important to build a sound resume and develop professional contacts because networking is extremely important to get where you want to go in the coaching business! If you want to coach in public school athletic programs, you might consider becoming a licensed teacher in a subject area suited to your interests (math, English, science, social studies, etc.) and then add on the coaching endorsement offered through the State of Iowa.

Where are some of your graduates placed and what are they doing? (many graduates go on to professional school or graduate studies to further their careers)

In Health/Fitness Management,
*cardiac rehabilitation specialists in hospitals
*physical therapy, medical and physician assistant schools
*directors and staff members of employee wellness programs in corporate and industrial settings
*exercise specialists and personal trainers in private
health clubs, spas and resorts.

In Athletic Training,
*sports medicine clinics and hospital staff members
*professional sports teams trainers
*collegiate athletic programs (Division 1-3) and community college sports
*public schools teachers and trainers

In Community/Public Health,
*patient education specialist in hospitals and clinics
*staff member of private non-profit organizations
*employee of State of Iowa Department of Public Health
*worksite safety specialist.