Professional Organizations & Certifications in Kinesiology
Organizations
Membership in professional organizations and the establishment of professional affiliations are important for young professionals. Membership will facilitate the development of professional contacts. It provides the opportunity to update one’s skills and knowledge through continuing education programs, workshops, and conventions.
a. K-Club (Kinesiology Club)
Who can join K-Club?
Why should I join K-Club?
How do I join K-Club?
b. MOAHPERD (Missouri Association for Health Physical Education,
Recreation, and Dance)
Mission: MOAHPERD is a professional organization structured for the purpose
of supporting, encouraging, and providing assistance to initiate and
conduct programs in health, physical education, and movement related
activities for the enrichment of human life. Plan to attend the annual
convention held in Mid-November. There will be sessions in several areas
of interest, including:
Joining MOAHPERD will enable you to share knowledge and expertise with others in the profession and assist in improving health and movement related programs for students and schools in Missouri. The strength of any profession lies in the quality, dedication, expertise, and enthusiasm of the individuals of the profession.
c. AAHPERD (American Alliance for Health Physical Education
Recreation and Dance)
Mission: AAHPERD is an educational organization designed to support,
encourage, and provide assistance to member groups and their personnel
nationwide as they initiate, develop, and conduct programs in health,
leisure, and movement-related activities. AAHPERD seeks to:
Students may join AAHPERD for annual dues of $30. Members receive JOPERD, the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, which is published monthly. AAHPERD’s annual convention is held in March.
d. ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine)
e. NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association)
f. AWHP (Association for Worksite Health Promotion)
g. NWA (National Wellness Association)
http://www.wellnessnwi.org/nwa/
h. NATA (National Athletic Training Association)
i. NIRSA (National Intramural/Recreational Sports Association)
Certifications
Certification programs offered by professional organizations ensure that
individuals who receive certification have the necessary skills and
knowledge to competently plan and administer programs. Pursuing
certifications can greatly increase your professional marketability. They
serve to enhance your credentials and assist you as you seek a position.
Information about certification can be obtained via the Web. Below is a
list of the most common certifications available in the health and
fitness-related discipline:
Certifies and qualifies professionals as Exercise Specialists; Program Directors; Exercise Leaders/Aerobics; Health/fitness Instructors; Health/Fitness Directors; Personal Trainers; and Exercise Test Technologists. To access online applications for ACSM certification workshops, go to www.acsm.org/certification/getcertified.htm.
Provides a certification program that is widely used as an entrance criterion to jobs as athletic trainers. To access NATA certification examination sites and dates, go to www.bocatc.org/becomeatc/EXAMDATES
Certification enables one to teach CPR or first aid in a corporate fitness center.
Offers certification as Basic Fitness Leader; Fitness Specialist; and Advanced Exercise Specialist.
Offers certification as Personal Trainer; Group Fitness Instructor; and Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant.
Certification programs include Primary Aerobic Instructor; Personal Trainer/Fitness Counselor; Weight Training; Step Certification; and Emergency Response.
Offers certification as Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists and Certified Personal Trainer. To access online applications for NSCA certification workshops, go to www.nsca-cc.org.
Provides several exercise-related training and certifications including Personal Trainer, Aerobics Instructor, Biomechanics of Resistance Training, Fitness Specialist for Older Adults, Special Populations, Martial Arts, Indoor Cycling, Aquatics, Health Promotion Director, Dietary Guidance. http://www.cooperinst.org
Contact for Health Certification course requirements. http://www.dese.state.mo.us/divurbteach/teachccert/
Offers certification as Certified Adapted Physical Educator. http://teach.virginia.edu/go/apens/
Additional Career Options
Physical Therapy- For a list of accredited physical therapy programs and their admission requirements, go to www.apta.org/Education/accreditation/Dir_Acc_PT_ED_Prog.
Medical School- For an overview of medical school requirements, go to www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/2371.html
Allied Health- For a listing of careers in, including educational programs, salary ranges, accrediting agencies, go to www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/10481.html
Additional Opportunities/Experiences
a. Children’s Lifetime Sports Academy
Missouri Southern physical education and health promotion majors are asked
to serve as leaders, counselors, and instructors during the Lifetime
Sports Academy held each summer. The goal of the academy is to teach
the skills and to promote the appreciation of selected lifetime activities
. . . bowling, golf, disc games, heart rate monitors, digi-walkers, and
racquet sports to area children. Effective with the 2002-2003 catalog,
Physical Education majors will be required to enroll in the Academy for
credit once during their academic program.
b. Health Fair
Missouri Southern physical education and health promotion majors have the
opportunity to take an active role in the faculty, staff, and student
health fair held annually at the college. Participation includes fitness
screenings and assessments as well as data analysis.
c. Health Resource Fair
Physical education and health promotion majors are provided the
opportunity to display recent health education materials at the Health
Resource Fair held annually on the campus of Missouri Southern State
College. Area educators are invited to preview health education materials,
including videos, curriculum guides, etc. It is also an excellent
opportunity to network with teachers and access numerous resource
materials.
d. Health Education and Resource Training (H.E.A.R.T.) Laboratory
One component of the Southwest Missouri Health and Physical Education
Goals 2000 Grant is the Health Education and Resource Training Lab located
on the campus of Missouri Southern State College. The Joplin location
affords health educators from a four-state region the opportunity to
utilize teaching materials available in the laboratory. Teachers from a
diverse area, who teach a diverse student population, can develop and
implement health enhancement activities throughout the schools. It serves
as an excellent and readily available resource for our physical education
and health promotion majors.
e. International Opportunity
The department of kinesiology has established a relationship with the
Sport Institute of Finland in Vierumaki, Finland. This agreement provides
opportunities for students from Vierumaki to study at Missouri Southern,
and conversely, students from Missouri Southern may visit and study in
Finland. Vierumaki also hosts a biannual International Seminar for
Physical Education Teachers. Missouri Southern's department of kinesiology
serves as a United States' coordinator for this program.