Orientation

General Option Requirements

Experiential Learning in Kinesiology

Are you ready to take your skills outside of the classroom? Here are your steps to success in kinesiology experiential learning.

 

Attend a group informational meeting

At group informational meetings we talk through the steps required to secure an experience and location.

   View info meeting times

By attending a session early in your planning process, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and stress.

Securing a site is a big process between all those supporting you, but ultimately, you’re accountable completing the steps properly.  

You’re welcome to email questions to the experiential learning coordinator. So you can have an informed conversation, be sure to read the information below and talk with your academic advisor before reaching out.

 

General Kinesiology Experiential Learning Checklist

Use the General Kinesiology Experiential Learning Checklist to be sure you haven't missed any steps.

   Checklist

 

Note: If you’re in the Pre-Therapy and Allied Health option or considering the option please contact Emily Norcross, MA, ATC for more information on Internship requirements.

Planning credit hours - How many and what type of credits

You will need 3 experiential learning credits to graduate with your kinesiology degree.  

One credit is equal to 30 total hours over the term, or 3 hours/week of “work” at a site.

The hours go up exponentially with each credit such as 3 credits are ninety 90 hours.

These credits are typically completed during the third and fourth year in school.

You may split your hours over several terms or do them all in one. It may be harder to find an available site, if you lump all hours into one term.

Your credits can be achieved through internship (requires pre-requisite KIN 307: Pre-Internship), practicum, projects or research.  

You may repeat practicum for up to 16 credits and internship up to 20 credits. If you will be doing more than one practicum or internship please work with your academic advisor and the Kinesiology Experiential Learning Coordinator to plan credit hours.

Finding a Site

Please be aware that this process has a variable timeline and very similar to a job search.

Sometimes it can take a week, sometimes months. Start two terms in advance.

It is your responsibility to secure a site and do any onboarding before the term starts.  

Please be kind to sites as they are volunteering their time to help you grow.

  • Start reaching out via phone, email or in person to site partners, people you know, or via an internet search to find a kinesiology-based site that fits your future goals.
  • Kinesiology sites are quite broad. They may involve allied health, fitness, research, physical activity or other human movement-based work sites.
  •  It will take persistence and checking back in with the site to show your dedication and interest. You may have to go to the site and show who you are.
  • You may need to share a resume, cover letter and personal statement with the site. Have them prepared. Some sites conduct interviews. Please remember to be professional in verbal/written language and dress. KIN 307 Pre-internship Seminar helps you prepare for this process.
  • Talk with your potential preceptor/supervisor at the site about your need for credits, how many hours it will take, dates of the term(s), and site supervisor resources. Be very clear and honest.
  • Once a site has agreed to allow you to spend time there, please thank any other sites you have engaged in conversation. Do not leave them waiting.
  • It is preferred that all sites have an affiliation agreement with OSU. This allows liability to follow you from the classroom to the site. If they have one, that makes your process go quickly. If not, it may take more time to generate a contract and conversations between the site and the experiential learning coordinator.
  • Some internship sites offer paid internship, but this is not standard or expected. Practicums are not paid.
  • If using a current job, you need a new learning experience. An additional project and possibly a different supervisor will be required to use those hours to count towards experiential learning. See the experiential learning coordinator to discuss this further. These are not always approved.
  • Make sure you know your preceptor’s name, any other signing authority, name of site, address, phone and email. Then you may apply for your experiential learning.

   View site partner suggestions

Application process

Collect your info

You need this info before you apply:

Submit your application

Please apply by week 8 of the term prior to your experiential learning.

KIN 306 & 406 Special Projects are under the same timeline but require a more direct conversation with the experiential learning coordinator before applying.

All applications for Summer 2023 are due week 8 (May 26, 2023)

Submit application

Confirming learning agreement

The experiential learning coordinator will contact your site and confirm a learning agreement.

Affiliation agreement

If an affiliation agreement is desired, it will be initiated. Affiliation agreements cover you as an entity under OSU, but they take time. Plan ahead.

Class override

Once all agreements are signed, your information will be submitted for a class override to register. You will be contacted by the experiential learning coordinator when the override has been completed.

Variable credit choices

When you register, you will have variable credit choices.

You are required 3 credits to graduate. You may do up to 9 credits “beyond the core”.

Make sure you put in the correct credits early to prevent later confusion. Make sure the experiential learning coordinator knows your credits to ensure correct calculation of hours achieved during your experience.

Course expectations

The course runs through weeks 1-10 of the academic term. Please stay within the timeline of the term as you will have assignments and your liability is covered only when you are officially in the course.

Working with your site preceptor

  • Plan a weekly meeting of 15-30 minutes. Be organized for your meetings.  
  • Keep a shared document with your times and total hours, tasks, goals and any planning.
  • As a representative of the university and college, high work ethic, integrity, honesty and follow through are all standards expected of you at the site.

Assignments and tasks

Tasks will vary according to the site and type of work. You will be graded off completion of tasks.  

Assignments the preceptor will sign off on:

  • Weekly work and hour summaries (approximately 15 minutes). All submitted hours will be totaled to ensure you fulfilled necessary hours.
  • 3 to 5 goals for the term to achieve (approximately 30 minutes)
    • See the experiential learning coordinator for ideas if you need help thinking of goals or ways to stay involved with the site.
  • Midterm and final survey (approximately 30 minutes)

Other assignments to be completed in the course, but not through the site, include three reflections of your experience and a final program survey. We would love to see a picture of you out at the site and hear what you learned!

Contact your experiential learning coordinator

Dee Gillen, MS can help you navigate the experiential learning process. She’s happy to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out.  

Dee.Gillen@oregonstate.edu
541-737-6802
Langton Hall 223A