Program Overview

Physical Culture and Sports Program Overview

The Physical Culture and Sports program is a Bachelor’s program offered by the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education. This program explores sport and exercise through a humanities/social science approach, including coursework in philosophy and ethics, sport law, sport history, the history of physical culture, and race and gender issues in sport.

Preparing for the Major

To prepare for this major, high school students are advised to take business-related courses as general background and read books on sport history. They should also make it a habit to read the sports pages online or in the newspaper. Students currently attending another college or university should contact an academic advisor to ensure that the classes they are taking will transfer to UT Austin.

Program Structure

The program provides excellent preparation for graduate studies in sport management, sport history, sport studies, law school, and careers in journalism, online media, and sport organization. Students will take 30 hours of Kinesiology and Health Education classes, including core courses that give them the foundation they need to do well in the cognate classes specific to this major.

Course Options

Some of the course options include:

• KIN 312M Management of Physical Activity & Sport Programs
• KIN 347 Historical & Ethical Issues in Physical Culture & Sports
• KIN 349 History of Sport & Physical Activity
• KIN 350 Sociological Aspects of Sport & Physical Activity OR KIN 352K Race and Sport in African American Life
• KIN 351 Philosophy of Sport & Physical Activity
• KIN 352K Historical Trends/Current Issues in American Physical Culture
• KIN 352K Women and Sport
• HED 311 Intro to Health Promotion & Behavioral Science
• KIN 310 Physiological Basis of Conditioning

Specializations

All of the Kinesiology and Health Education specializations would work for this major, including:

• Coaching
• Community Health and Wellness
• Disability Studies
• Health Fitness Instructor
• Medical Fitness & Rehabilitation
• Strength & Conditioning Coaching

Study Abroad Opportunities

The program offers a study abroad opportunity in Denmark, where students can intern, conduct research, and gain hands-on experience internationally. This opportunity is led by Professor Thomas Hunt and Associate Professor of Instruction Matt Bowers.

Research Opportunities

Students may have the opportunity to conduct fieldwork with the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture in Sports. The Department of Kinesiology and Health Education is home to more than 20 well-funded research labs working to promote and understand physical activity, health, movement, behavior, and physical culture and sport.

Possible Career Paths

Graduates of the program can pursue careers such as sport analytics, youth sport development, writing and journalism, sport law, public relations, governmental and sport agencies, community-based sports programs, and coaching outside the public schools. Many also go on to graduate programs in sport history, sport management, and other allied fields.

Program Benefits

The program offers several benefits, including:

• Small class sizes
• Study abroad options
• Research opportunities
• The ability to work closely with faculty
• Multiple career paths

Additional Resources

Additional resources are available for students, including information on placement exams and claiming credit earned in high school.