Kinesiology, Clinical Exercise Science, Sports Science and Performance Programming

About this opportunity

The College of Health Solutions (CHS) is dedicated to the belief that everyone can realize a healthier life with the right support. Doctors and nurses are essential in healing wounds and treating diseases. But to optimize their health, people turn to professionals like personal trainers, physical therapists, dietitians, speech and occupational therapists, social workers and counselors. And behind the scenes, we need administrators, statisticians, researchers, software developers and more. We focus on providing the educational and practical foundation that students need to work in the vast and expanding world of health care — whether they are treating patients, conducting research or working in an administrative or other support role.

Kinesiology, BS
The BS in kinesiology program provides students with a deep understanding of how the human body works.

Sports Science and Performance Programming, BS 
Supporting individuals to achieve their maximal potential requires specialized knowledge and skills. The BS program in sports science and performance programming prepares students to work with participants in sports, occupational and tactical environments, taking them to new physical heights.

Clinical Exercise Science Degree, BS
In the BS in clinical exercise science program, students develop an extensive understanding of how the human body responds to, changes with and benefits from exercise.

Hands-on laboratory courses with innovative exercise, metabolic and cardiopulmonary equipment provide students with the skills and experience they need to be hired as exercise physiologists in health care settings upon graduation.

Upper-division and special topics courses allow students to gain an even deeper understanding in an area of interest, such as exercise for chronic and neurological conditions or nutrition for health and performance.

Students gain the knowledge necessary to pass the exercise physiologist certification exam from the American College of Sports Medicine and for pursuing level 2 Exercise Is Medicine credentialing from the American College of Sports Medicine.

Thesis

Honors Thesis Project
The honors thesis project is an excellent opportunity to gain experience conducting original research and applied projects under the advisement of a faculty member. Thesis topics usually emerges from an aspect of an introductory course that sparks your interest, and then becomes more refined as a depth of knowledge is furthered by taking other classes or undergraduate research CHS 494 in the related area.

All Barrett Honors students are must complete a thesis project information session prior to enrolling in thesis credit (492 or 493). The session is designed to make certain each student has been informed about the process, expectations, and deadlines. 

We strongly encourage planning their thesis project by the fall of their junior year, particularly if you would like to be engaged in research during the summer before your senior year. After completing the information session, the following steps are required:

• Consult with an appropriate thesis project director faculty member.
• Form a Barrett Thesis Project committee with a minimum of two members; the director (who must be a regularly appointed lecturer or professor) and one other committee member with expertise in the area of interest, after consultation with the director.
• Develop a prospectus in collaboration with your thesis director and submit within the timelines identified by Barrett.
• Complete the research or applied work with collaboration from the committee. Expectations regarding what constitute a thesis varies among faculty members and will be conveyed by your director. However, the thesis will require either independent development of a project with written documentation of the project rationale, method of development and evaluation of the project or completion of a research study and analysis of the results. A research paper relating the research completed by other researchers does not meet the criteria for a thesis project.
• The thesis defense must be scheduled and held according to Barrett timelines and all committee members must be present at the defense.
•  Defenses may be held in-person or virtually. 
  
  
   

Academic Preparation

Working on honors enrichment contracts in classes is a great way to build the skills for a future thesis. Students are also encouraged to get involved in undergraduate research opportunities. We also recommend that students take a statistics class and prioritize internship experiences during their undergraduate careers. 

Recommended Timeline

Example Honors Thesis schedule

Junior/Sophomore Year
End of Spring Semester

• Find a faculty member to advise you on your Honors Thesis (the Thesis Director); begin discussing possible projects
• Enroll in 492 for 3 credits

Junior/Senior Year
Start of Fall Semester

• Work with your Thesis Director to define your project and formulate an action plan for the project (the Prospectus).
• Prepare your Prospectus and submit to Barrett: 

Fall Semester

• Collect data

End of Fall Semester

• Enroll in 493 for 3 credits

Beginning of Spring Semester

• Analyze data, write thesis

Before Spring Break

• Complete first draft of the thesis document and submit to Thesis Director for initial review
• Schedule your thesis defense - remember this is your responsibility – by completing the Thesis Project Defense Reporting Form
• Note that a draft of the thesis should be sent to the entire committee for review at least one week before your defense

Other Honors Opportunities

Honors Classes & Honors Enrichment Contracts

Honors contracts can be developed with a regularly appointed faculty members for most courses. Honors contract projects should be determined jointly by the student and faculty member. The honors contract should ideally increase student understanding of course topics. It is also recommended that students pursue research and projects directed by faculty in order to develop research ideas and further career opportunities prior to starting an honors thesis project.

Tips

• Explore Barrett Resources: Barrett has excellent online resources outlining the Honors Thesis projects including a student guidebook. 
• Attend a Thesis Workshop: Barrett also arranges several workshops throughout the semester to help you get started with your thesis and to de-mystify the thesis process.
• Talk to CHS Faculty: faculty have experience mentoring students on the Honors Thesis and can guide you through the process and advise you what they might expect
• Review past thesis documents: Barrett Honors College has a digital thesis repository previously prepared by Honors students. These are an excellent resource to help plan the structure of your document. 
• Attend thesis defenses: Every student publicly presents thesis outcomes as part of a defense. Attending a defense before you do your own will help you prepare and give you a sense of how to present your outcomes as well as the kinds of questions you might expect. 
• Talk to other CHS Honors students: If they are currently going through the thesis process, or preparing for it, talking to other students can help plan for your thesis.
• Talk to the CHS Faculty Honors Advisors and the Barrett Advising Staff.

Financial Support for the Honors Thesis
Barrett has support and funding for Honors Thesis work:

• Thesis Funding – Students may apply to receive up to $1000 to complete their thesis to cover materials and supplies needed to complete the project.
• Honors Project Fund – Typically used for non-thesis related expenses such as presenting a paper at a conference or attending an annual meeting related to your major to cover such costs as travel, hotel, conference registration and supplies.
• External Examiners Program – As part of the thesis defense, students can apply to bring in an outside examiner or expert from another institution to serve as a thesis committee member. Students may receive up to $1500 toward associated expenses, such as airfare and hotel.