Kinesiology Coordinator - Comprehensive Role & Skill Guide

🎯 Role Definition

The Kinesiology Coordinator is a multifaceted and essential leader within an academic or clinical setting, responsible for the seamless integration of theoretical knowledge and practical application for students. This role serves as the central liaison between students, faculty, and a network of professional internship and clinical sites. You will be instrumental in shaping the next generation of kinesiology professionals by managing curriculum, advising students on their career paths, and ensuring high-quality, real-world learning experiences. This position requires a unique blend of administrative expertise, educational leadership, and deep subject matter knowledge in human movement science.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Certified Kinesiologist or Exercise Physiologist
Academic Advisor in a related health science field
Adjunct Instructor or Lecturer in Kinesiology/Exercise Science

Advancement To:

Kinesiology Program Director
Director of Clinical Education
Academic Department Chair

Lateral Moves:

Athletic Training Program Coordinator
Health Sciences Program Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, maintain, and expand a diverse network of high-quality clinical and internship sites, establishing and renewing affiliation agreements to provide students with robust practical experiences.
Oversee the entire student placement process, including managing applications, matching students with appropriate sites, and confirming placements while ensuring all university and site-specific deadlines are met.
Serve as the primary academic advisor for kinesiology majors, guiding them on course selection, degree progression, graduation requirements, and post-graduate career or educational pathways.
Lead the development, ongoing review, and revision of the kinesiology program curriculum to ensure it remains current, effective, and aligned with industry best practices and accreditation standards (e.g., CAAHEP/CoAES).
Conduct regular site visits to clinical and internship locations to evaluate the quality of the learning environment, monitor student performance, and provide support and feedback to site supervisors and preceptors.
Manage all critical student and site documentation, including proof of liability insurance, health records, immunization compliance, background checks, and signed legal agreements.
Develop and deliver comprehensive orientation programs for students preparing to enter their clinical rotations and for new clinical instructors joining the program.
Monitor, assess, and report on student learning outcomes and overall program effectiveness, utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to drive continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Act as the primary point of contact to professionally and effectively mediate and resolve any conflicts or issues that arise involving students, faculty, and clinical site personnel.
Teach a designated course load within the Kinesiology department, which may include introductory courses, senior seminars, lab sections, or practicum supervision courses.
Manage the program's accreditation process, which includes preparing self-study reports, coordinating site visits from accrediting bodies, and submitting required annual reports.
Collect, analyze, and present data on key performance indicators such as student placement rates, graduate employment outcomes, and alumni satisfaction surveys to inform strategic planning.

Secondary Functions

Coordinate and promote program-related events, such as guest speaker lectures, professional development workshops, student research symposiums, and career networking fairs.
Collaborate with the university's admissions and marketing departments to support student recruitment efforts, including participating in open houses, information sessions, and transfer student events.
Supervise, train, and evaluate graduate assistants, teaching assistants, or student workers assigned to support the administrative and academic functions of the program.
Participate actively in departmental and university-wide committee meetings, contributing to policy development, strategic initiatives, and faculty governance.
Assist the Department Chair with administrative tasks, including academic course scheduling, budget management, and the preparation of departmental reports.
Stay current with emerging trends, technologies, and research in kinesiology, exercise science, and higher education through continuous professional development, conference attendance, and scholarly activity.
Develop and maintain comprehensive online resources, including the program handbook, internship manuals, and Learning Management System (LMS) pages for students and clinical partners.
Build and foster collaborative relationships with other campus departments, such as the Career Services Center, Registrar's Office, and Alumni Association, to enhance student support and success.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Curriculum Development: Proven ability to design, assess, and revise academic courses and programs in exercise science and kinesiology.
Accreditation Management: In-depth knowledge of accreditation standards and procedures from bodies like CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) or CoAES.
Student Information Systems (SIS): Proficiency using systems like Banner, PeopleSoft, or Jenzabar for student advising, registration, and record-keeping.
Learning Management Systems (LMS): Expertise in using platforms such as Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle for course delivery and communication.
Clinical Site Management: Experience in scouting, vetting, and managing relationships and legal agreements with external healthcare and fitness organizations.
Assessment & Data Analysis: Skills in collecting and analyzing program-level data to evaluate student learning outcomes and program effectiveness.
Subject Matter Expertise: Deep and current knowledge of core kinesiology principles, including exercise physiology, biomechanics, and motor control.

Soft Skills

Interpersonal & Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for effectively interacting with students, faculty, administrators, and external clinical partners.
Student Mentorship & Advising: A genuine passion for and skill in guiding and supporting students' academic and professional development.
Organization & Planning: Superior ability to manage multiple complex projects, competing deadlines, and detailed administrative tasks simultaneously.
Negotiation & Relationship Building: Adept at building rapport and negotiating mutually beneficial agreements with clinical site representatives.
Conflict Resolution & Problem-Solving: Ability to navigate and resolve sensitive issues between students and placement sites with diplomacy and professionalism.
Leadership & Influence: Capacity to lead program initiatives, motivate students, and collaborate effectively with faculty colleagues.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Master's Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., D.Sc., DPT)

Relevant Fields of Study:

Kinesiology
Exercise Science / Exercise Physiology
Physical Education
Sports Medicine
Or a closely related field

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of relevant professional experience in a clinical, corporate wellness, or academic setting.

Preferred:

At least 2 years of experience in an academic setting with responsibilities in teaching, student advising, or program administration.
Prior experience coordinating clinical education, internships, or practicums in a higher education environment.
Professional certifications such as ACSM-EP, NSCA-CSCS, or similar credentials.
Direct experience with the CAAHEP/CoAES accreditation process.