The Practicum and Internship Hours 

Practicum experiences are only available to students who have been admitted to the major. The required practicum experiences, which total seven credit hours, must be completed before the internship can be undertaken. In most cases, only one practicum can be taken per quarter.

EDU PAES 490.10 (3 credit hours, prerequisites EDU PAES 685 and 660.01), which provides practical experience in conducting graded exercise testing, is a required practicum. Other practicums that are available to complete the seven credit hour requirement include:

The practicum experience is designed to help students develop a high level of theoretical and technical proficiency in these areas in preparation for the internship experience. Students indicate their intent to take a practicum by submitting a Practicum Request Form to Dr. Kirby during the seventh week of the quarter prior to the quarter in which they want to be enrolled. Upon his approval, students enroll by registering for EDU PAES 490.XX. The practicum hours are arranged.

Students are also required to complete a 300-hour on-site internship (EDU PAES 589.01 or EDU PAES 598.02, 15 credit hrs each) before graduation. This is done during the senior year. Internship applications must be submitted to Dr. Kirby, the internship coordinator, two quarters before the internship. Registration in EDU PAES 589.01 and EDU PAES 589.02 will not be permitted if the application is submitted late. 

The available internship opportunities are very specific to the particular internship sites. If an affiliation can be established, students may propose to work at a new internship site, however they should understand that it could take more than two quarters for this establishment to take place. An Internship Guide should be obtained from Dr. Kirby to assist with internship planning. Internship sites are also advertised in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise and in the monthly Career Opportunities Bulletin of the American College of Sports Medicine. These publications are available for review in the Office of Student & Alumni Services in 100A PAES Building and in 154 Larkins Hall. 

Students who intend to pursue graduate study with a research emphasis may do a research internship. The student must have a 3.0 GPA or better and must obtain a faculty sponsor. A research project is first approved by the faculty, and then conducted, reported in a manuscript, and presented orally.

Other Career Advancing Professional Experiences

The graduate colloquium in exercise science (EDU PAES 886) is offered every quarter on Fridays at 3:30 pm, usually in 120 Larkins Hall. Graduate students and faculty present research proposals and results of their research. The students in the undergraduate exercise science major are encouraged to attend these meetings to learn about research, current questions in the field, and new perspectives on exercise science and health behavior.

Faculty and graduate student research is an ongoing process. Undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to become involved in this research. By assuming certain associated responsibilities, students can take active roles in various research projects. Assistance with research projects will result in either acknowledgement of the contribution to the research in the acknowledgement section of the manuscript, or, if sufficient activity is undertaken, the participant might be listed as a co-author of the manuscript. In addition, credit for EDU PAES 293 can be earned through active participation in faculty research.

The College of Education sponsors an Undergraduate Research Award. Junior students with a 3.0 GPA or better and a faculty sponsor may submit a research proposal for review. If funded, the student obtains a two-quarter fee waiver and conducts the research under the faculty member’s direction during the senior year. A final research report and oral defense of the research are then required. Students completing these requirements graduate with distinction. Students should anticipate that it might take one to two quarters to develop an acceptable research proposal.

Professional Organizations

Exercise Science Education

Admission Criteria for Exercise Science Education

College of Education - General Education Curriculum

Exercise Science Education Curriculum

Faculty Advisors

Please Note: This information may change without notification to the recipient of these materials. The appropriate academic unit advisor can determine requirements based upon the year of matriculation to OSU. The Graduate School Bulletin, and the OSU Course Offerings Bulletin are the official University documents that apply to programs in the School. Although a thorough review of this document has occurred, if mistakes exist, the information in the relevant University bulletin prevails.