Advising FAQs

Q. Who is my advisor?

Use the web address elion.oas.psu.edu to look up your assigned advisor. If you are a Kinesiology student, your advisor is either Sharon Krimmel, Lisa Myers, or Staci Schreiber.

Q. How do I contact my advisor?

Call the staff assistant in the Kinesiology Department office (863-4493) to ask about drop-in hours and appointment times. If you make an appointment but cannot keep it, please call to cancel or reschedule.

Q. Should I come in to see my advisor during drop-in hours, or should I make an appointment?

If you have a simple request or a quick question and you have time to wait patiently to be seen, drop-in advising is appropriate. If you plan ahead and have a more complex request or several questions, it is advisable to make an appointment. Whether you come in during drop-in hours or by appointment you will need to bring a current, real-time (not web view) degree audit to discuss any scheduling issues.

Q. What is a degree audit and how do I get one?

The degree audit is a computerized assessment of your progress with the requirements of a particular major. It lists all requirements (including major and general education requirements) necessary to graduate with that degree. The audit is customized to your academic record and includes courses you have taken that fulfill each requirement. You can request a degree audit for your own major or for a major you would like to consider. You may access your audit at www.elion.psu.edu. Follow these instructions:

  1. Log in to eLion
  2. From the left-hand menu, click "Degree Audit"
  3. Under "Majors", select "Alternative (majors to explore)" and click "Continue"
  4. On the next screen, select as follows:
    College = Health & Human Development
    Major = Kinesiology
    Option = whichever option you intend to pursue
    Program Year = leave as is if you're already in Kines, or choose 2007 if you're still in HHD status
  5. Click "Submit degree audit request"
  6. Click "View audit request status"
  7. When your audit status says ready, select your audit by clicking the radio button, then click "View audit", and then "Print audit".

You will need help interpreting the audit so you should meet with an advisor for that purpose. You are strongly urged to print a new audit every semester and use it to track your progress with the major. Be sure to bring a current degree audit with you each time you meet with an advisor.

Q. I hear the curriculum has changed. How do I find out about these changes and whether they affect me?

Schedule an appointment with your advisor. She can help you compare the "old" and "new" curriculums to determine which is best for you.

Q. Am I eligible to move to the new curriculum?

You may automatically qualify. If you are still HHD, your only choice is the new curriculum. If you are already in the major, then you may move ahead and choose the new curriculum.

Q. What do I need to bring with me to an advising appointment?

Bring a current Kinesiology degree audit. Bring a list of questions. Bring any forms related to your questions.

Q. How and when do I schedule for next semester?

Step 1. Run a degree audit for your major/option.

Step 2. Determine your first date to schedule (your scheduling date is printed on the first page of your degree audit).

Step 3. Call to make an appointment with your advisor a few weeks before your scheduling date.

Step 4. Use the course suggestions discussed with your advisor to make a schedule. Course availability and course descriptions are listed on these web sites: elion.oas.psu.edu, and www.registrar.psu.edu.

Q. Is there a list of courses I should take for my major/option?

No. The degree audit replaces a list because you will want to determine your own progress with the sequence of courses. That sequence is based on course prerequisites and your own preferred pace.

Q. What if a course is full?

Keep checking for openings. Contact the instructor to see whether or not a student can be added. The instructor is the only person with the authority to approve an over-enrollment, and can do so only if there is enough physical space left to accommodate additional students.

Q. How do I enter the major?

To process your entrance to the major you need to fill out an "Entrance-to-Major" form, available online or in the Kinesiology Advising Center. Please note: a Computerized Entrance to Major procedure is activated in your 4th semester if you are not enrolled in a major at that time. Should you receive notice (via email in your 4th semester) that you need to declare your major, follow the instructions you receive. You can be entered into the Kinesiology Movement Science and Fitness Studies Options through this system. Entrance into Athletic Training or Physical and Health Education Teacher Education Options cannot be done on this system.

Q. When do I enter the major?

You are eligible for the Kinesiology Movement Science or Fitness Studies options when you achieve the following minimum requirements:

  1. 28 cumulative credits completed,

  2. Attained a cumulative GPA of 2.0

Entrance to Physical and Health Education Teacher Education* and Athletic Training*Options:

*If you plan to complete the Physical and Health Education Teacher Education option or the Athletic Training option, you will probably enter Kinesiology in the Movement Science option first, and then change to your selected option when you have completed the additional requirements. Additional requirements might include a specific GPA, completion of prerequisite courses, volunteer hours, etc. Detailed information about the Physical and Health Education Teacher Education Option is available online and from your advisor.

*The Athletic Training option is competitive and requires a waiting list application. That application must be submitted as early as possible since completion of the program usually takes six (6) semesters from when students are permitted to schedule the first practicum. Students who are considering Athletic Training are advised to submit the application in their first semester, whether or not they feel decided about the option, in order to avoid additional semesters and a delay in graduation. The Athletic Training application is available online, or in the Advising Center, 270 Recreation Building (814-863-4493).

Q. What about clubs, study abroad, scholarships, mentoring programs?

You can find this information online.

Q. How do I find out about Internships?

There are practicum courses built in to the curriculum of each option in Kinesiology. First, learn about the practica for your option. (See "Practicum Information" on the Kinesiology website. If you are looking for an experience outside of the required practica, you are encouraged to do so and can select any opportunity of interest to you. It is your responsibility to find those opportunities. Some information is available in the Advising Center. You can also use web sites such as www.internsearch.com.

Q. What if I want to find out about another major?

Meet with an advisor in the Department that offers that major. For example, if you are interested in finding out about the Psychology major, call the Liberal Arts advising office. A list of advising centers is available at www.psu.edu/dus/handbook/upinfo.html.

Q. How do I get career information?

The Kinesiology Department has complied career information for your convenience. You may also discuss career opportunities with Kinesiology faculty and advisors.

Books: (available in the library or on the web)

Q. I'm having trouble with... (my roommate, my science class, etc.); who should I talk to?

Start with your advisor. If you don't know where to turn, your advisor will try to help or will know where to guide you for help.

Additional Comments and Recommendations:

PSU polices and rules can be found online. Department of Kinesiology protocol can be found at the Kinesiology website. The academic calendar (Student Action Guide and Calendar) can be found at the Registrars website. Pay attention to policies and rules, deadlines, and protocols.