Kinesiology

Kinesiology

Associate of Arts

The objective of the Kinesiology Department at South Texas College is to prepare Kinesiology Majors to continue along an educational path to meet desired goals and to seek opportunities to be advocates for healthy lifestyles. Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities, especially those involving new skills.

The department offers a variety of academic, distance learning, and physical activity laboratory courses in the areas of physical education pedagogy (teaching), sports coaching, exercise science, fitness, health education, and specialized certification courses.

The vast majority of Kinesiology lecture courses are transferable toward a B.S. degree in Kinesiology at 4-year institutions. Additionally, the department offers a diverse range of physical activity laboratory courses (individual and team sports), which fulfill the required Kinesiology physical activity credits for the Associate of Art's degree. In addition, students with disabilities participate in physical education and the Kinesiology Department in conjunction with ADA can arrange for an adapted program or advise the student concerning course selection.

Personal Trainer

Certificate

This program has additional prerequisites prior to enrolling in FITT courses. Application requirements are included in the description below.

The curriculum for the Personal Trainer certificate is composed of courses designed to provide the student the knowledge and skills needed to enter the workforce in the area of Commercial Fitness. These courses will allow the student the ability to provide personal training services to clients seeking to improve their fitness levels. Training strategies, program development and assessment practices are included to prepare students to be competitive in the Commercial Fitness industry. This certificate provides individuals with the most current, foundational knowledge, training, testing and competencies to certify them to practice as professional certified fitness trainers.

Taught over a two semester period, this certificate includes 19 semester hours of lecture in topics that include basic anatomy, biomechanics, nutrition, legal and safety issues, basic facility management, CPR and First Aid, as well as hands-on fitness labs that offer participants exercise prescription knowledge, fitness testing, health assessment, the use of fitness equipment, case studies, risk stratification, and mastering the art and science of personal training. In addition, students will be eligible to take a certification exam with a national organization upon completion of the certificate program.

Completion of a High School Diploma or GED is required to enroll in the FITT courses. For additional information, please contact Mr. Brent Angangan, Department Chair, in the Kinesiology Department 956-872-3707.

Program Learning Outcomes

Personal Trainer Certificate

1. Graduates will demonstrate basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, psychology, pharmacology, and nutrition as it relates to the personal trainer fitness industry.
2. Graduates will demonstrate the assessment of an individual’s fitness levels, readiness for exercise, and risk stratifications including special populations.
3. Graduates will design and create customized individual exercise programs (Strength, power, hypertrophy, cardiovascular, plyometrics, flexibility, fat loss) to meet the goals of individuals including special populations.

Kinesiology Associate of Arts

1. The graduate will define and discuss the 12 sub-disciplines of Kinesiology.
2. The graduate will analyze personal beliefs and philosophies concerning their chosen profession.
3. The graduate will prepare both an oral and written presentation explaining the components of fitness and the importance of exercise and nutrition as it relates to healthy lifestyles.
4. The graduate will demonstrate proper First Aid skills and techniques designed to treat injuries.
5. The graduate will demonstrate proper techniques to enhance fitness levels and practice proper techniques for specific activities/sports.

Advisory Committee Members

(For Workforce Program Only)

John Quezada, Committee Chair, Army Master Fitness Trainer
Humberto Cerda, Manager, Gold's Gym
Antonio Diaz, Manager/Personal Trainer, Gold's Gym
Jaime Cavazos, Cavazos Sports Institute
Louie Palacios, Owner, The Shack
Yvette Garcia, Trainer, The Shack
Mike Johnson, Owner, VPR Fitness
Joe Valtierra, Trainer, VPR Fitness
Dr. Belinda Jordan, Obesity Physician,
Joel Matos, Vice President, Freedom Fitness
Cristopher Garcia Sancho, Personal Trainer, Freedom Fitness
Leroy Moreno, Physician Assistant, Family First Medical Center
Joe Pitones, Owner, 9Round Fitness
Peggy Ramon Rosales, Registered Dietician, PR Nutrition Consulting
Dr. Robert Zuniga, Chiropractor

Personal Trainer Certificate

TSI Exempt

(For Academic Program Only)

TSI Liable

¹

In addition to the courses in the Field of Study, the student is required to take 42 credit hours from the STC Core Curriculum.

²

Students who select a 3 credit hour Mathematics course to fulfill the Mathematics component of the Core Curriculum must take 4 credit hours to complete the Component Area Option for the Core Curriculum.

TSI Liable

Recommended Course Sequence - Exercise Science Track

TSI Liable

Recommended Course Sequence - Teaching and Athletic Coaching