The University’s department of kinesiology has a little secret many of its majors have never heard.
Students majoring in kinesiology have the option of testing out of required activity courses — such as jogging or softball — if they lettered in a high school sport that corresponds with an activity course.
“For example, if a student can prove that he received a letter in football in high school, he could take a test and receive one credit hour for flag football,” said Katherine Hill, undergraduate coordinator for the kinesiology department.
Hill said the program is similar to other tests that offer University credit.
“It’s like a freshman coming to LSU and testing out of English or math,” Hill said.
Students must present proof — such as a yearbook or a letter certificate — that they lettered in a high school sport.
Hill said the written examination tests students on the rules of the sport they played in high school.
“We assume that if you lettered in a sport, you have the necessary skills [for that sport],” Hill said.
Hill said the program has been around for 30 years and that it used to be available to all University students.
“At one point everyone could do it, but we just don’t have the resources to do that any longer,” Hill said.
Though the program has existed for decades, some kinesiology majors said they have never heard about it.
“I’ve never heard about it, and I like to think I know what’s going on in the department,” said Jonathan Allen, a kinesiology senior.
Allen said he would have taken advantage of the program if he had known about it.
“It would have helped me out, because the activity courses are really hard to get into,” Allen said.
Gabriel Lentini, a kinesiology senior, shared Allen’s feelings.
“Thinking back, if I had the opportunity, I would probably do it because it would mean fewer classes I would have to take,” Lentini said.
Students may test out of sports such as tennis, golf, weight training, basketball, volleyball, softball and soccer.
Derek Hinds, a kinesiology and philosophy senior and credit-program participant, said he heard about the program from a friend.
Hinds received two credit hours for softball and football which he had earned letters for in high school.
“The reason why I did the program was to make my schedule more manageable and to graduate faster,” Hinds said.