Contact: Aga Haupt
Students interested in becoming physical or occupational therapists should be aware of a growing academic program in kinesiology at Mississippi State University that focuses on clinical exercise physiology.
"Kinesiology is the science of the study of human movement," said Joseph Chromiak. "We now are examining how the human body responds to exercise and how it adapts to training."
Now in its third year, the program is offered by the department of health, physical education, recreation, and sport, in which Chromiak is an assistant professor. "One of the strengths of the curriculum is its modification to meet most or all prerequisites for professional schools in allied health sciences, such as physical therapy or nursing," he explained.
MSU's kinesiology training involves a mixture of lecture and laboratory sessions, including classes in which students are required to evaluate fitness, including body composition, and diet and design a program to help the subject lose weight and become more physically fit.
Previously, the department offered only a specialization in fitness management, which includes classes in business, accounting or marketing, and is geared towards persons interested in owning or managing fitness facilities.
Associate professor John G. Lamberth, Chromiak's departmental colleague, said 20 kinesiology graduates have been accepted to date for professional schools in physical, occupational and respiratory therapy since the program was added in 2000.
Lamberth said future job outlook in these fields "is good."
For additional information on the kinesiology program, telephone Chromiak or Lamberth at (662) 325-2963.