Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

at University of Prince Edward Island Canada

Are you interested in sport, physical activity, and wellness? Would you like to work with children, adults and seniors and help them become and remain physically active? If so, a degree in kinesiology may be an appropriate undertaking for you. Kinesiology explores human development and movement from a number of lenses. For example, the physical, psychological, and social experiences of sport and physical activity are investigated to provide students with a holistic view of how they affect human development.

Within the kinesiology degree, students take courses in areas including (but not limited to) sport psychology, exercise physiology, biomechanics of sport and physical activity, motor learning and control, human development, and research methods. Students interested in international study opportunities should contact their faculty advisor and check potential exchange opportunities well ahead of time.

Upon degree completion, students will have the ability to apply their knowledge to a number of fields or have can continue their studies in fields such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and education. In addition, graduate studies in any of the sub-disciplines of kinesiology are possible for interested students.

Students interested in the program directly out of high school are required to register in the Faculty of Science and complete a list of pre-kinesiology courses. Students having completed the qualifying courses need to apply to the Kinesiology program by March 31 of the current year. 

"My experience in the Kinesiology program here at UPEI has been amazing up to this point. Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of meeting a number of wonderful people and learning from some of the most knowledgeable professors I have ever met. I find that they do a fantastic job of connecting with us students and being on our level, which leads to strong student-teacher relationships.

The field in which we study is one with many applications. I love that what I learn in the classroom does not simply just stay in the classroom, but can be applied to situations that I encounter in everyday life. I find this really opens students eyes to the number of opportunities we have upon graduating from the program, whether it be in health, sport, management, research, the list goes on.

Our graduates have also successfully entered a variety of post-graduate programs, including Masters study in sociology and anthropology, social work, education, law, international development, criminology, and law enforcement, to mention only a few.

Because of Sociology's broad areas of interest, a degree in sociology is an excellent preparation for a variety of careers, including further postgraduate studies in the social sciences (sociology, social work, education, law, criminology and law enforcement, international development). Sociology graduates have always been valuable players in both public and private sectors; their rich and multifaceted understanding of society, together with their skills in social analysis, communications and problem solving, make them in-demand in this constantly shifting social and economic world.

The Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) at the University of Prince Edward Island is a unique, interdisciplinary, and policy-driven graduate program that critiques islands on their own terms. We welcome students from around the world with diverse disciplinary backgrounds and diverse degrees, or with professional workplace experience in the public, private, or resource sectors.

Our program offers a challenging opportunity for students with:

• A special interest in researching islands: their societies, economies, histories, cultures, governments, geographies, and environments
• An interest in public policy and administration
• Career aspirations within local, regional, national, and international governmental and non-governmental organizations
• Career aspirations in the private and resource sectors
• A desire for the challenge of graduate education

International Relations (Island Studies) and Island Public Policy
The MA Island Studies program at UPEI has an established strength in policy and international relations aspects of island studies. Islands, including small island states and subnational island jurisdictions, are often at the forefront of domestic, marine and international policy discussions, ranging from resource development, environmental regulation and strategic and territorial claims. Island studies teaching and research is proving to be significant and original in relation to diplomacy and coalition-building. Non-sovereign islands especially are using the spaces in domestic and international politics to bring about change. Graduates from this focus area will be able to provide leadership in addressing the complex issues facing modern governments and policy-making organizations. Students will gain the skills and knowledge to start or advance a career within local, provincial/state, federal and international governments or non-profit agencies that interact with government. Private companies that have extensive interactions with island governments will also benefit from the graduates’ skills and understanding of island policy issues.

The Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) at the University of Prince Edward Island is a unique, interdisciplinary, and policy-driven graduate program that critiques islands on their own terms. We welcome students from around the world with diverse disciplinary backgrounds and diverse degrees, or with professional workplace experience in the public, private, or resource sectors.

Our program offers a challenging opportunity for students with:

• A special interest in researching islands: their societies, economies, histories, cultures, governments, geographies, and environments
• An interest in public policy and administration
• Career aspirations within local, regional, national, and international governmental and non-governmental organizations
• Career aspirations in the private and resource sectors
• A desire for the challenge of graduate education

Sustainable Island Communities
Islands are special environments that are both resilient and vulnerable to changes in climate, economy and culture. A specialization in Sustainable Island Communities combines concepts of community development with practices of sustainability on islands to create a cutting-edge post-graduate degree. This focus area is ideal for students interested in the interdependence of physical, ecological, economic, political, cultural and social issues and who want to strengthen their abilities to become effective agents of community change. Students learn to take concepts, skills, solutions and strategies learnt in the classroom and test them against real-world situations on islands throughout the world.  Almost all public and private organizations are now incorporating some aspects of sustainability planning –including climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies - into their practices.

Employment opportunities for graduates of this specialization include community economic development, natural resources management, sustainable agriculture, rural and land-use planning, renewable and alternative energy management, environmental consulting, sustainability director positions, and posts with international organizations such as the United Nations, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Watch, Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund. Local, regional and federal government departments of sustainability and environmental management on islands would be natural employers for graduates from this focus area. Students will benefit from opportunities accorded them from UPEI’s Institute of Island Studies and the UNESCO Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability based at UPEI.

The Biology Department at UPEI has a strong tradition of helping people realize their potential through deep consideration of the biological world. A scientific understanding of the plants and animals is, in many ways, its own reward. But it is also a pathway to a large number of exciting and fulfilling career opportunities. A biology program is a common route toward the health professions (human and veterinary medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, etc.), for which we offer strong pre-professional programs. It can also lead to careers in environmental analysis, biotechnology, laboratory diagnostics, and many other things. Biology graduates also often establish other sorts of careers (lawyer, business professional) for which the knowledge of biology can be a strong personal and professional asset.

The strength of our educational programs derive from the strength of our scholarly activity and research. Our faculty hold grants from the Natural Sciences and Research Council of Canada, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Atlantic Innovation Foundation, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Prince Edward Island Health Research Institute, among others. Our faculty have research programs in neurobiology, arctic insect ecology, cancer cell biology, watershed ecology, pollination biology, coastal habitat ecology, animal habitat fragmentation, heart and stroke physiology, aquatic toxicology, plant ecological genetics, among others.

The Faculty of Business is committed to providing students with a high quality, integrated business education in a personalized learning environment. It is structured to provide the broad-based, cross-functional business education required for leaders of business, government, and not-for-profit organizations. The Faculty's personalized learning environment provides opportunities for extensive interaction between students, faculty and practitioners.

The Faculty of Business holds a unique position within the province’s education system. As the only university school of business, it is committed to intellectual leadership, and to excellence in developing new knowledge and conveying that knowledge to its students and to the public. In order to attract, develop and retain students, faculty and staff, the Faculty recognizes that it must sustain an intellectually stimulating environment.

The Faculty views its students not as customers, but rather as partners in the development of a high quality business education. Graduates are expected to have developed competency in integrating the core functional business disciplines; ethical, social, historical and global awareness; critical thinking and problem solving; quantitative analysis; communication skills and leadership; team work as well as personal initiative; technological application in business; and using business research to support evidence-informed practice.

The degree program in the Faculty of Business is designed to fulfill this mission and to provide the educational breadth and depth needed by business leaders.

Accounting (specialization):
A specialization in accounting is intended for business students wishing to pursue a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation after graduation.

The Co-op option is available to full-time students in any specialization within the Faculty of Business. Applications to the Co-op Education Program are normally made after completion of the first year of study. Students who successfully complete all the requirements of the program will have the notation entered on their transcripts and on the graduation parchment.

If you want to become a leader in teaching, an administrator, a researcher, an academic, or a highly qualified educator, UPEI’s Master of Education in Leadership in Learning degree may be the perfect fit for you! Graduates from our program are teachers; educators in the corporate, government, arts, health, and not-for-profit sectors;

The Master of Education program is designed to provide experienced educators in any field with the knowledge and skills required to become effective educational leaders. The overall aim of the program is to promote and support educational scholarship, research, and practice. Through studying relevant curriculum with researchers and expert practitioners, our students gain the capacity to make valuable contributions to the field of education—and to the lives of others.

It is also important to note that the Master of Education in Leadership and Learning is unique in that this one degree is structured to permit for a variety of study foci. You can choose a focus in either Global Perspectives, 21st Century Teaching and Learning, College Education, or Additional Designation in Inclusive Education. Students enrolled in the MEd program complete seven compulsory courses and three elective courses (pre-selected for the focus of your choice).

Global Perspectives Focus
This innovative course-based graduate program is designed for international students from a variety of countries. Participants bring a global perspective to leadership in learning in 21st century educational contexts. Participants will explore theory and practice from the fields of international and comparative education, educational leadership, curriculum and pedagogy, and global education. Students will enhance their competencies as educators and global citizens as they engage in active experiential learning and critical reflection.

Program highlights include:

• Extensive practical experiences in diverse educational settings and learning communities
• Wide range of opportunities to interact with domestic and international students from various countries
• 10 courses (combination of blended, online, and in-person experiences)
• Competitive tuition rates
• Program completion within 16 months
• Small class sizes
• Rich opportunities to engage with local cultures
• Participants can bridge their learning to other programs offering a certificate in early childhood learning or adult education

With the new Bachelor of Environmental Studies program at the University of Prince Edward Island you will learn to make environmental connections across academic fields and to analyze environmental challenges we face today. In the classroom, field, and community, you will lead the way in finding innovative solutions—making a positive impact toward sustainability in your personal life, locally and globally.

Environmental issues typically do not respect traditional academic boundaries and require scientific, technical, human and social perspectives to address. As an interdisciplinary liberal arts and science program, the Bachelor of Environmental Studies will provide students with the opportunity to integrate knowledge across faculties of Arts, Science, and Business.

There are a number of reasons why you should choose to major or minor in political science at UPEI. The department is characterized by diverse course offerings by expert and engaging faculty with active research interests. The small and collegial atmosphere in the department provides a unique opportunity to build mentor relationships with faculty and upper year students. The small class sizes and upper year seminar classes provide an excellent opportunity to hone research, writing, and presentation skills.

The MSc degree of the University of Prince Edward Island requires the demonstration of a reasonable mastery of a concentrated field of study. The latter is attested by the achieving of satisfactory standings in the minimum number of graduate courses required by the respective Faculty, the completion of a research project, and the writing of a thesis based upon the research.

There will be considerable interaction and co-operation among the departments/faculties to provide courses and research facilities to meet the needs of individual students and their research projects.