About Us

The goal of Acadia's School of Kinesiology is to
develop the leaders of tomorrow.

 

Director's Welcome

Welcome to Acadia Kinesiology!
We offer a CCUPEKA accredited (ccupeka.org/accreditation/) 4-year Bachelor of Kinesiology undergraduate degree as well as Bachelor of Kinesiology with Honours for students interested in gaining research experience.

As students make their way through our BKIN degree, if they choose they can explore an academic pathway provided by specialized streams and academic options, including the CATA Accredited (athletictherapy.org) Athletic Therapy option, the Exercise Science & Training option, and academic options for more focused study in Biology, Psychology and Nutrition & Dietetics. Clusters of recommended courses in Teaching, Leadership & Coaching, Health Promotion, Wellness & Health Behaviour Change, and Adapted Physical Activity also represent areas of academic interest students can sample.

Community engagement is a core value within the School of Kinesiology and is expressed through experiential learning and leadership opportunities in programs led by individual faculty members (e.g., S.M.I.L.E., Kinderskills, Acadia Active Aging [AAA], Acadia Cardiac Maintenance [ACM], Hannah Miller Memorial Hockey tournament) as well as in programs offered through the Center of Lifestyle Studies (COLS) (e.g., Exercise is Medicine, Walk and Roll, Fit for Life).

We aim to nurture the leaders of tomorrow by offering a rigorous and personalized four-year educational experience that is both inclusive and supportive. The Acadia Kinesiology experience is second to none; this is a place to grow. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours in health and movement,

Darren Kruisselbrink, Ph.D.
Director & Professor
School of Kinesiology

Our History

The School of Kinesiology has gone through major changes in the past decades. Before the School of Kinesiology was formed in 2014, it was the School of Recreation Management and Kinesiology and before that it was the School of Recreation and Physical Education.

The School, as it is today, would not have been possible without the help of the five founders: Donald Wells, Elizabeth Vermeulen, Robert Vespaziani, Gilbert Chapman and David Joos. The journey to today's school began in the fall of 1890 when a new gymnasium was built at Acadia. In 1910, an introductory and required course in physical education was formed. From 1911 until 1914 all first year students were required to take the Physical Training course as a requirement for a Bachelor of Arts degree. During World War One the course was removed but returned in 1921. At this time all first and second year students were required to take this course for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

In the early 1920's the Department of Physical Education was formed within the Faculty of Arts. In September 1969 the name was changed to the Department of Physical Education and Recreation which offered a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Physical Education. In June 1974 the Department changed its name to the School of Recreation and Physical Education. Also that year Senate approved the establishment of a master's degree in Recreation.

In 1997, the School changed its name to the School of Recreation Management and Kinesiology. In October 2001, the opening of the Kinesiology laboratories brought great excitement to the School.   Beginning in 2009, the Recreation Management program evolved into the Community Development program. In July 2014, Community Development and Kinesiology became two separate academic units.  The school name was changed again to the School of Kinesiology. The Department of Community Development was created at this time.

In August 2016, the Department of Community Development moved to another location on campus.  Now the School of Kinesiology is the only academic unit in War Memorial Gymnasium.

Our Mission & Vision

Acadia University's Kinesiology Program provides students with diverse educational opportunities in theoretical and practical settings in the biophysical, socio-cultural, and psychomotor areas, with the goal of creating tomorrow's leaders, who are committed to life enhancement through movement.

Graduates of Acadia University's Bachelor of Kinesiology program will be tomorrow's leaders in Kinesiology and in related fields. They are committed - personally and professionally- to life enhancements through movement.

The Kinesiology program achieves these goals by providing leadership experiences, which are linked to diverse theoretical and practical educational experiences in the biophysical, socio-cultural, and psychomotor aspects of physical activity.

Our Kinesiology Program prepares graduates to assume leadership in enhancing life through physical activity. We achieve this by providing diverse educational opportunities in the biophysical, socio-cultural, and behavioral areas and through exposure to scholarly and professional practice.