The Human Kinetics Department at St.F.X. University, like many
Kinesiology/Human Kinetics departments has evolved from the former
Department of Physical Education.
The Department of Physical Education was established in 1965,
in response to an increasing demand for Physical Education teachers
in the Province of Nova Scotia. The graduates of the program received
a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education Degree and a Nova
Scotia Teaching License - Class 5.
The Department continued with its mandate of teacher preparation
until 1995. At that time, the Government of Nova Scotia, through
the Maritime Provinces High Education Commission (MPHEC), under
a Revitalization process, deemed it necessary to reduce the number
of students graduating with degrees in Education, including Physical
Education. The Nova Scotia Minister of Education acted on the
report of the Revitalization Committee of MPHEC and terminated
three educational programs which lead to advanced educational
degrees or to a teaching license. After removal of the mandate
to prepare students at StFX for teacher certification in a four-year
integrated program, it was time for the development of a new mission
and a new focus.
Following Senate approval, the Department adopted a new name,
defined a new mission, developed a new set of objectives, and
revised the curriculum. Changes in the program structure and in
curriculum offerings enabled the Human Kinetics Department to
offer programs leading to a Bachelor of Science and to a Bachelor
of Arts in Human Kinetics. In the transition period between 1995
and 1998, the Department phased out the Physical Education program,
and phased in the Human Kinetics program. The last class of students
receiving degrees in Physical Education graduated in the spring
of 1998 and the first class of graduating Human Kinetics students
received their degrees at Spring Convocation in 1999.
Most recently, the Department has made additional curriculum
revisions to reflect core program requirements as set out by the
Canadian Council of Physical Education and Kinesiology Administrators
(CCUPEKA) for both Kinesiology and Pre-Education Streams. The
faculty members have developed a number of upper level elective
courses, which were added to the new program. These changes put
the StFX Human Kinetics Department in an excellent position to
move into the 21st Century, offering a sound undergraduate degree,
with educational options to allow the students to prepare themselves
for professional careers or further study.
