School of Kinesiology and Nutrition

Scott Piland, Director
118 College Drive, Box #5035
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4679

Cartwright, Connell, Credeur, Doan, Gordon, Gould, Huye, Judge, Kingston, Krebs, Lemacks, McCoy, Molaison, Neelis, Piland, Rupp, Sha, Speed, Thompson, Yadrick

The School of Kinesiology and Nutrition offers a wide range of curricula aimed at improving the quality of life, health, and well-being of individuals and communities in a variety of settings. Programs in the school address issues related to health through coursework in exercise, physical education, sport, food, and nutrition. Students are involved in coursework that incorporates knowledge with experiential learning, which provides a solid foundation for careers in allied healthcare professions, health promotion, disease prevention, and food-related industries as well as preparation for graduate studies in these fields.

Accredited Programs

Accredited programs must meet criteria of accrediting agencies and therefore may have additional admission and program progression requirements above those of the University. Accreditation and licensure requirements supersede the program requirements listed in this Bulletin. Mandated changes in program requirements are communicated through the student’s assigned academic advisor.

The following degree programs are currently accredited or approved by professional boards or agencies: Physical Education (K-12) licensure is a member of the University’s Professional Education Unit, which is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and is nationally recognized by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE); Sport Coaching Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE); and the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Additionally, courses are offered as part of the various degree programs that facilitate professional certification or licensure of the following types: clinical exercise physiologist by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM); certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) certification by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA); and physical education (K-12) licensure by the Mississippi State Department of Education (MDE). Students who complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics are eligible to apply for an accredited Dietetic Internship. Completion of internship allows the student to sit for the registration exam through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Additionally, students who complete the Nutrition and Dietetics degree may also qualify to sit for the Certified Health Specialist (CHES) exam or the Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM, CFPP) exam.

Integrity Assurance Program (IAP)

All faculty holding Regular or Associate graduate faculty status must complete IAP training modules required by the Graduate School and their schools. All graduate students must complete the training modules required by the Graduate School and their schools the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The policy and training information can be found on the following website: http://www.usm.edu/research/research-and-scholarly-integrity-assurance-program

Programs

• Kinesiology (Exercise Science), M.S.
• Kinesiology (Physical Education), M.S.
• Nutrition and Food Systems (Applied Nutrition and Food Systems), M.S.
• Nutrition and Food Systems (Dietetic Practice), M.S.
• Sport Coaching Education, M.S.

• Kinesiology (Biomechanics), Ph.D.
• Kinesiology (Exercise Physiology), Ph.D.
• Kinesiology (Sport Pedagogy) Ph.D.