Looking to the future of health and wellness, Augustana introduced a kinesiology major and minor in 2019. A kinesiology focus can position you for a career in a quarter of the top 20 fastest-growing occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), including medical and health professions, athletic training, fitness and exercise science.
Kinesiology is the study of human movement and physical activity, and how they affect health and quality of life. It’s a welcome addition to Augustana’s excellent programs in the health sciences, and a natural fit with the culture on campus, where both mental and physical fitness are seen as essential to learning and lifelong success.
In Augustana’s kinesiology major, you’ll focus on human anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology and socio-cultural approaches. You’ll gain a professional edge through internships, research and/or service-learning projects.
And your liberal arts background will deepen your understanding of the diversity of human needs and behavior — so important for practitioners in health, wellness and human performance.
Disciplinary knowledge
Gain a deep understanding of your subject and how it connects to other subjects.
Critical thinking and information literacy
Judge and construct arguments, raise questions and define problems. Make a conclusion based on evidence.
Creative thinking
Combine ideas to create something new. Use imaginative ways of solving problems.
Communication competence
Read and listen carefully. Express ideas (writing or speaking) suited to the audience.
Collaborative leadership
Make decisions and act for the good of the community as a group.
• The Department of Kinesiology is located in the college’s newest building, the Peter J. Lindberg, M.D., Center for Health and Human Performance. Here, kinesiology students have access to the latest teaching and research equipment in classes and active learning spaces, including a functional training lab and a human performance lab.
• About 20% of Augie students major in the biological sciences or health- or wellness-related fields. Our success in preparing students for careers in health and wellness is evidenced by standout statistics, including a 100% acceptance rate into public health graduate programs since 1997 (when our first graduate pursued a master’s in public health) and a medical school placement rate that’s 50% above the national average.
• Students shine in a balance of academics and athletics at Augustana, where more than half of our students are athletes. The college is #1 in Illinois for the number of Academic All-Americans, students who excel equally in their studies and their sport.
Playing college volleyball had been her dream since she was 12. About 15 minutes into her first practice as a Viking, Sydney Krueger '24 jumped for a hit at the net, landed awkwardly and “blew out” her knee. Two years later, as a junior, she's named one of the CCIW's best.
With a dogged dedication even a pandemic couldn’t deter, Carson Eipers has become the best thrower Augustana has ever seen.
The Peter J. Lindberg, M.D., Center for Health and Human Performance at Augustana College was dedicated Oct. 15 as Dr. Lindberg's family, college leaders and faculty gathered to celebrate.
