Hands-On Opportunities for Health Studies and Kinesiology Students

Faculty members in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies developed this mini-stream to provide students an opportunity to immerse themselves in research.

The Research Mini-Stream experience provides an excellent opportunity for students who are considering applying to a graduate or post-degree program to explore their research potential.  Students receive a certificate from the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the completion of the 15.0 required units (it will not appear on the student transcript).

Required Courses

YEAR 2

Fundamental skills in research.

• KNPE 251/3.0  Introduction to Statistics
• HLTH 252/3.0 Introduction to Research Methods

YEAR 3

Hands-on experience working on active research projects in the SKHS.  Must  attend seminars covering research topics and methodologies.

HLTH Major or Medial Students

• HLTH 352/3.0 Research Skills Development Practicum

KINE Students

• KNPE 352/3.0 Research Skills Development Practicum

YEAR 4

Students apply their developing research skills and knowledge by doing a thesis under faculty supervision.

HLTH Major or Medial Students

• HLTH 595/6.0 Honours Thesis in Health Studies

KINE Students

• KNPE 595/6.0 Honours Thesis in Kinesiology and Physical Education

Registration in Mini-Stream

There is no formal admission to the Research Mini-Stream.  Students  should attend the Registration Information Sessions in March for their year (see Registration website for times/places) and follow these steps.

YEAR 2

Students are registered into KNPE 251 and HLTH 252 in July.

1. Review 2025-26 Research Practicum Opportunities (Updated on April 27th, 2025) at the end of your second year; this list will be updated as new positions become available).  This provides information about the labs accepting research interns; descriptions of current research projects; number of positions available; application contact information; and, deadline.
2. Apply directly to the research group(s) of your interest before the deadline (if applicable) by sending a cover letter (this can be an e-mail or a separate document), unofficial transcript, and résumé.  The contact information is provided in the Research Practicum Opportunities document above.  Copy your application to the Laboratory and Educational Coordinator.
3. Fill out the HLTH/KNPE 352 Research Practicum Form with your professor and submit it to the SKHS UG Office who will arrange to register you into the course prior to starting year 3.

YEAR 3

1. At the completion of HLTH/KNPE 352, students will consult with the professor about progressing into HLTH/KNPE 595.
2. Fill out the HLTH 595/6.0 Form  Honours Thesis in Health Studies or the KNPE 595/6.0 Form Honours Thesis in Kinesiology and Physical and Health Education with your professor and submit it to the SKHS UG Office who will arrange to register you into the course.

YEAR 4

Students who are accepted into an honours thesis (HLTH or KNPE 595) will be eligible to receive recognition for completion of the Research Mini-Stream.

Need more information or assistance?

• Please e-mail Robert Watering, SKHS Laboratory and Educational Coordinator

Independent courses are intended to provide students with an opportunity to earn course credits while conducting an intensive study of a specific topic or research question. These courses are designed to be a self-directed study conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. This experience is of particular value for students who want to provide additional evidence of their academic abilities in their applications to post-degree or graduate programs.

SKHS Course Information - Independent Courses 

HLTH/KNPE 352/3.0: Research Skills Development Practicum

The Research Skills Development Practicum course (HLTH/KNPE 352/3.0) is designed to provide a research-based experience (approximately 80 hours) for students in Health Studies or Kinesiology interested in working in the research labs and on research projects of SKHS faculty members.

How to apply to participate in a research skills development practicum: 

1. Review Research Practicum Opportunities (updated link posted on April 27th, 2025).  This provides information about the research programs/ labs accepting practicum students; descriptions of current research projects; number of positions available; application contact information; and, deadline.
2. Apply directly to the research group(s) of your interest by the deadline (end of March each year).  The contact information and steps to follow are in the Research Practicum Opportunities document above.  Copy your application to the Laboratory and Educational Coordinator.
3. Fill out the HLTH/KNPE 352 Research Practicum Form with your professor and submit it to the SKHS UG Office who will arrange to register you into the course.

HLTH/KNPE 300/3.0 Community-Based Practicum 

The one-term Community-Based Practicum course provides students with a practical placement opportunity related to their field of study, including but not limited to: fitness facilities, community health centres and allied healthcare clinics. Through pre-placement workshops, course seminars, and their community-based placement, students will gain and utilize a wealth of professional development skills and experience. Please note, if selected for the course, it is the responsibility of the student to seek out, apply for, and arrange internships with assistance from the Course Instructor. The course is open to upper-year students in the Health Studies and  Kinesiology programs.

**Information on applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will be updated shortly - please check back soon. 

Pre-requisites: Level 3 in HLTH or KIN & minimum cumulative GPA of 1.9

Exclusions: KNPE 330/430, KNPE 346/446 (athletic therapy & strength and conditioning mini-streams)

Queen’s Athletics and Recreation and the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies have collaborated to provide KIN students an enriched learning experience in the field of Athletic Therapy. 

As Athletic Therapy Trainers, students work with a varsity team to acquire hands-on experience.  They help assess and treat various injuries, work at varsity games, practice taping, and more.  Qualified students compete for a limited number of positions and need to be enthusiastic, dedicated, and eager to learn.  The mini-stream requires a strong commitment from students, as they are valued members of the Inter-University Sport Program.

In addition to a required theory course in second year, students will work with varsity athletes and teams acquiring valuable skills, applied knowledge, and invaluable experience over a three-year period for a total of 12.0 course units (see details below).  Students receive a certificate from the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies (it will not appear on the student transcript).

Application Requirements

**Information on applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will be updated shortly - please check back soon. 

Mini-Stream Requirements

Level One (taken in second or third year).

• Students complete 24 practicum hours in the Athletic Therapy program at Q Sports Medicine in the Athletic and Recreation Centre in the winter term.
• Students complete “Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries” in the Winter Term (KNPE 331/3.0). This course focuses on the care and prevention of common athletic injuries with emphasis placed on the practical portion of taping and wrapping of athletic trauma, which provides students with a solid educational and practical background to move on to the second year of the stream.

Level Two (taken in third or fourth year).

• Students register into “Field Placement in Athletic Therapy” (KNPE 330/4.5) and complete at least 165 practicum hours.
• Working with a varsity team, students will be responsible (under supervision) for the field coverage and taping for the team to which they are assigned, and are strongly encouraged to help with assessments and rehabilitation of team members.

Level Three (taken in fourth or a fifth year).

• Students register into “Internship in Athletic Therapy” (KNPE 430/4.5) and complete at least 165 practicum hours.
• During this internship, students will split their time equally between:
  • working with a varsity team and mentoring other student trainers, and:
  • working in the Athletic Therapy clinic, helping with assessments, treatments, bracing, and administrative work.

Need more information or assistance?

• Take a look at the Athletic Therapy flyer.
• Please send e-mail to skhs.internships@queensu.ca 

Queen’s Athletics and Recreation and the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies have collaborated to provide KIN students with an enriched learning experience in the field of Strength and Conditioning. As Strength and Conditioning Coaches, students become an integral part of the Gaels Strength and Conditioning Program, which is an integral component in the success of the Queen’s teams.

Qualified students compete for a limited number of positions and need to be enthusiastic, and dedicated to training and improving Queen’s varsity athletes. The mini-stream requires a strong commitment from students, as they are valued members of the High Performance Sports Programs.

In addition to a required theory course in second year, students will work with varsity athletes and teams acquiring valuable skills, applied knowledge and invaluable experience over a three-year period for a total of 12.0 course units (see details below). Students receive a certificate from the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies (it will not appear on the student transcript).

Application Requirements

**Information on applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will be updated shortly - please check back soon. 

Mini-Stream Requirements

Level One (taken in second or third year).

• Students complete 48 practicum hours in the Strength and Conditioning program at the Athletics and Recreation Centre.
• Students complete “The Science and Methodology of Sport Training Conditioning Programs” in the Winter Term (KNPE 345/3.0). This course focuses on how to plan a training program and includes such topics as: designing warmups; proper lifting techniques; spotting techniques; speed and agility training; power and speed training; and, other training modalities.

Level Two (taken in third or fourth year).

• Students register into “Strength and Conditioning Field Placement” (KNPE 346/4.5) and complete at least 120 practicum hours, as well as attend weekly group learning sessions
• The goal of the field placement is to introduce students to all aspects of the Gaels Strength and Conditioning Program. Students can expect to be involved in: coaching team sessions; running warmups; performing assessments; coaching return-to-play programming; and developing professional relationships in the A&R community. 

Level Three (taken in fourth or a fifth year).

• Students register into “Strength and Conditioning Internship” (KNPE 446/4.5) and complete at least 120 practicum hours, as well as attend weekly group learning sessions.
• During the internship, students will assist in assessing, designing, and coaching a team-training program for one or two varsity teams. Students will apply the knowledge gained in the previous two levels while also mentoring the younger students.. Students will also be engaged in the team’s daily training environment, providing support and services in practices and games, as needed.

 Need more information or assistance?

• Take a look at the Strength and Conditioning flyer.
• Please send e-mail to skhs.internships@queensu.ca

Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory

The School of Kinesiology and Health Studies is very pleased to welcome our Kinesiology students back into our newly renovated undergraduate teaching laboratory this upcoming term. The UG Lab is fully operational and ready for fall 2022 courses. Highlights of the recent improvements include:

• Upgraded equipment and data acquisition software which will allow students to conduct cutting-edge experiments in many different research  fields in Kinesiology.
• The UG Lab space has been refreshed with painting, lighting and a new clean-up and equipment storage room within the UG lab itself.
• There is also a new gender-inclusive change room facility adjacent to the UG Lab, along with an accessible gender-inclusive washroom and shower facility.
• Amongst the newly acquired lab equipment are two brand-new treadmills which were purchased by recent Kinesiology alumni through the PHEKSA 2019-2020 Better Equipment Fund.