Centenary College is adding to its strong existing programs in the sciences with a new bachelor of science in kinesiology degree that will be available to students beginning in January 2022. The new program opens opportunities in a variety of allied health fields as well as careers and graduate training in cardiac rehabilitation, athletic training, personal training, and coaching.
Students pursuing the kinesiology degree will take courses in exercise physiology, exercise nutrition, personal and community health, motor control, biomechanics, general wellness, and first aid, among others. Internship and research opportunities with local partners such as Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and the LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine will give Centenary students valuable hands-on experience in the field.
“I am excited about this new kinesiology major that will serve our pre-health students and student athletes, among others,” said Dr. Anna Leal, assistant professor of biology at Centenary. “This degree will prepare students for careers in healthcare, allied health sciences, exercise science, and health and fitness fields. Students in kinesiology will learn to practice healthy choices; demonstrate that health and wellness are necessary for improved quality of life; prepare to address contemporary health issues including health disparities; and master preventative health behaviors that mitigate and minimize chronic diseases.”
Leal and other Centenary faculty members are pursuing new opportunities for kinesiology students, including internships with physical therapists, sports teams, nonprofits in the health sector, and fitness and wellness centers. Centenary is currently recruiting for a dedicated faculty position in kinesiology and has plans to build an exercise physiology lab.
The lab will be designed to serve the teaching, service, and research needs of the kinesiology program, but will also be helpful to other programs in the natural sciences as well as the athletics program. The lab will be equipped to conduct a variety of human physiologic testing and will include state of the art equipment such as a treadmill ergometer, cycle ergometers, metabolic cart, electrocardiograph, body composition analyzers, and data acquisition software.
“Our goal is to continue Centenary’s history of 90% graduate program placement for our kinesiology students,” explained Leal. “To achieve this, we will provide mentoring and sponsorship in addition to rigorous coursework and hands-on lab work. The new kinesiology major provides additional avenues for our students to serve the Shreveport-Bossier community and contribute in areas of health and wellness.”
More information about the new kinesiology major at Centenary is available at centenary.edu/kinesiology.