Students pursuing careers in corporate fitness and cardiac rehabilitation are commonly expected to possess various certifications documenting mastery of knowledge, skills, and abilities pertaining to exercise testing and prescription.  The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has established certifications in the fitness field.

Prospective employers in corporate fitness and cardiac rehabilitation frequently desire the ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor certification.  The Department of Kinesiology provides a series of courses to prepare students who wish to take the ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor Examination.  Additionally on the Denton campus, the Department hosts one of the Health/Fitness Instructor certification examinations.

Please Note:

• Two internships are required.  A grade point average of 2.5 overall and 2.75 in Kinesiology courses must be maintained to apply.  You must make a C or better in Exercise Physiology and Exercise Physiology Lab before taking any advanced physiology of exercise course.  You must make a C or better in Advanced Exercise Physiology lecture and lab, Senior Adult Fitness Practicum, Exercise Testing and Prescription lecture and lab before enrolling in any internship.
   
• The internship should be planned during the student’s junior year.  A detailed outline of the internship should be reviewed and approved by Dr. Ben-Ezra.
   
• Students enrolling in internships must carry university sponsored liability insurance.  A current CPR and First Aid card is required for all internship experiences.
   
• Read the General Catalog.
   
• A degree plan must be filed within a year of graduation.
   
• KINS 4602/01 is a prerequisite to the cardiac rehabilitation internship and KINS 4702/01 is a prerequisite to the corporate fitness internship.

For graduation all students must make a C or better in all Kinesiology classes.

There are two different degree plans in the corporate fitness emphasis.  The Corporate Fitness-Kinesiology Major Plan is appropriate for all non-school majors interested in working in the field of wellness.  Those interested in meeting the prerequisites for a master’s degree in physical therapy must follow the plan named Corporate Fitness-Kinesiology Major meeting the Prerequisites for PT.  The Kinesiology major courses are identical in both plans.  The differences in the plans are in the minor and various support courses.

For those interested in the fast track program for Pre PT you must apply in the fall of the prior year.  There are various requirements for acceptance into the program so make sure you have completed these.  Two important requirements are the completion of the GRE and your volunteer hours.  You must also complete all prerequisite courses before enrolling in the PT program.

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Kinesiology students in this option will apply during the summer prior to their junior year (see the TWU Physical Therapy Application Materials application requirements).  Junior students must have a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, and a 3.0 math/science GPA.  Kinesiology faculty will nominate and recommend outstanding juniors to send forward to the School of Physical Therapy who would make the final selection.

Kinesiology students who have been selected as graduate students in Physical Therapy as seniors will earn credit towards the undergraduate Kinesiology degree for:

The Minor in Science for the PrePhysical Therapy Fast Track Option for Kinesiology students selected will be:

• Biol 1113,1111
• Biol 1123, 1121
• Chem 1113, 1111
• Chem 1123, 1121
• Phys 1133, 1131
• Phys 1143, 1141
• Upper Division Science Course (PT 5033 Medical Kinesiology)
• Upper Division Science Course (PT 5024 Clinical Neuroscience)

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• Official copies of transcripts from ALL schools attended.
   
• Scores on the Graduate Record Examination (Verbal, Analytical, Writing and Mathematical Reasoning test).
   
• International students must also submit TOEFL, TSE, and TWU scores.  International coursework must be evaluated for BS-level equivalency.
   
• Letter of interest in physical therapy and in pursuing an advanced degree, including an evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses. Letter is to be no longer than two pages (typed double-spaced).
   
• A personal resume to include the following applicable areas:
   
  • Personal data
  • Educational information since high school (chronological order--include dates, degrees, majors)
  • Extracurricular activities while in college (give a brief description for each)
  • Employment history (chronological order--include dates)
  • Awards and honors
  • Community service and volunteer activities (include dates and brief description
  • Leadership positions or activities
  • Exposure to profession of physical therapy (include dates, amount of time, type of physical therapy)
  • Other experience, travel, hobbies, etc.
     
• Written request for campus preference (i.e., Houston or Dallas). Be brief, but include specifics to be considered, such as, spouse employed in area, relatives living in area with which you would live to reduce housing costs, etc.
   
• List of prerequisite courses in which you are currently enrolled, or in which you plan to enroll, for fall and spring.
   
• Two (2) completed Applicant Recommendation Forms from two physical therapists licensed to practice in the U.S. where you have observed/worked/volunteered for at least 20 hours with each therapist in two different settings.

You do not have to complete all prerequisite coursework prior to applying. After you have completed prerequisites, have official transcripts sent to the School of Physical Therapy.

Current certificates in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid are required prior to beginning the program. CPR certification should include infant, child and adult CPR.

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