Explore an exciting career in kinesiotherapy (KT) as a registered kinesiotherapist, with opportunities in diverse settings such as VA Medical Centers, hospitals, fitness facilities, and schools. KT uniquely emphasizes hands-on learning through clinical internships, allowing you to apply classroom skills and boost confidence. After graduation, excel as a clinician by passing the KT registration exam, or leverage the program for success in graduate paths like athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or many other healthcare fields.
This program includes two distinct phases: 1) pre-professional and 2) professional.
Any USM student may declare Kinesiotherapy as their major as long as they meet the university and program admission standards outlined below. Declaring the major of Kinesiotherapy will allow the student to begin the pre-professional phase of coursework. During this phase, students will take foundational coursework that serve as requirements for progression into the professional phase. During the second semester of a students’ sophomore year (USM or transfer), they may submit an application form declaring their readiness to begin the professional phase of the program. This application form will be verified by the program coordinator and/or student advisor to ensure the student meets all requirements to move forward. If a student does not meet the requirements to progress, they will be required to change majors or apply again after meeting the requirements.
As long as students meet all progression standards and have taken all required coursework (outlined in the semester-by-semester guide), students will be allowed to progress into the professional phase of the program. This phase allows students to engage with kinesiotherapy-specific coursework. These courses are offered in a rigid sequence and students must meet the progression requirements to remain on the path to graduation. Courses will only be offered once per year and must be successfully completed before moving to the next semester. Students who do not meet progression standards will be required to change majors per the policies outlined below.
Upon successful completion of the professional phase coursework, students will earn their Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiotherapy. Graduates are eligible for the Kinesiotherapy Registration Examination administered by the Council on Professional Standards for Kinesiotherapy (COPSKT).
Transfer students are encouraged to reach out to the program coordinator to ensure that they meet all requirements for the professional phase of the program.
Kinesiotherapy BS Degree Requirements (124 hours)
Kinesiotherapy BS Semester Guide
Availability: Hattiesburg Campus
Admission Requirements:
Program Academic Policies and Requirements:
- See University Academic Policies and Requirements
- Program Progression Standards: The following progression policies apply to all students in the kinesiotherapy program as well as students transferring to the program:
- Pre-Professional Phase:
- In order to progress to the professional phase, students must meet the following criteria:
- A minimum grade of C or higher in BSC 250 , BSC 250L , BSC 251 , BSC 251L , KIN 301 , KIN 308 , KIN 423 (or PHY 111 and PHY 111L ), PSY 110 , and PSY 360 (or DPH 440 );
- A minimum grade of B or higher in THY 300 ;
- A minimum cumulative USM degree GPA of 2.5 or above (calculated on all USM and transfer coursework, excluding remedial coursework);
- Completion of the following GEC coursework: GEC 01, GEC 02, GEC 03, GEC 04, GEC 05, GEC 06, and GEC 08.
- Professional Phase:
- In order to progress within the professional phase and remain in good standing, students must meet the following criteria:
- Probation and Dismissal Standards
- Students will be given one opportunity to repeat a course in which they failed to achieve the minimum required grade. Students failing to achieve the minimum required grade on the second attempt will be dismissed from the program for a minimum of one semester. A student dismissed from the program may submit a written petition to the coordinator of kinesiotherapy for consideration for readmission to the program.
- If the student is in the professional phase of the program, they will be placed on probation and be required to enroll in the course the next time the course is offered (once per academic year) in order to continue in their degree plan.
- If the student is in the professional phase of the program and has already used their course retake, they will be dismissed from the program and unable to return (pending written petition as outlined above).
- Students who fail to maintain a minimum program curriculum GPA of 2.5 will be placed on program probation for one semester. During this time, the student may take other courses at the University, but cannot enroll in program-specific courses. Students who fail to earn a minimum program curriculum GPA of 2.5 by the following semester will be dismissed from the program.
Clinical Internship Experiences: Clinical Internship Experiences: Students must complete two semesters of clinical internships (THY 460) in an approved clinical setting. Students must register for THY 421 concurrently with their final semester of THY 460. At least one semester of internship must be completed at a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Kinesiotherapy Program (KT). Prior to beginning the clinical internship, students must have successfully completed all General Education and Program Curriculum (DEG 01 and DEG 02) requirements (to include minimum letter grade requirements for all required courses), have a minimum program curriculum (all DEG 01 and DEG 02 coursework only) GPA of 2.5, and have current certification in CPR/AED.
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