Ƶ has renamed its Health and Human Performance program to Kinesiology, a more widely recognized and accurate term that better reflects the program’s focus, career outcomes, and alignment with industry standards.
Ƶ has renamed its Health and Human Performance program to Kinesiology, a change that will be reflected in the 2025-26 academic catalogue.
According to Dr. Craig Stiemsma, professor and chair of the program, the term “kinesiology” is more recognized in the industry and better represents the program.
“Kinesiology is also a more accurate name and description of the learning focus for our department,” he adds.
As Ƶcontinues to experience record enrollment, ensuring the university has relevant program offerings is crucial for incoming and current students.
“Ƶis committed to equipping students for the service He has called them to,” says Eric Tudor, director of emerging markets at Dordt. “That requires us to clearly communicate our program options to prospective students, rigorously train them during their time as students, and then launch them into service.”
Students studying kinesiology at Ƶ learn to help people train, heal, and live life to the fullest. From athletes striving to achieve greatness to elderly folks recovering from injuries, students gain skills to aid people in living their healthiest lifestyle—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Dr. Leah Zuidema, vice president for academic affairs at Dordt, believes the change will help students understand the goals and outcomes of the program at the onset of their education.
"Going by the more common name of 'kinesiology' signals to students that the work being done in this program is rigorous and that you will be equipped for a variety of fields," she explains. "The program will be the same, but we hope a change in name will help make it clearer to students the program that we offer."
“To some, ‘Health and Human Performance’ communicates a narrower subsection of career outcomes related to exercise science,” adds Tudor. “Ƶabsolutely offers great career-ready exercise science outcomes, and we also have industry-leading preparation for graduate school opportunities including physical therapy, exercise physiology, and occupational therapy.”
To learn more, visit dordt.edu/academics/programs/kinesiology-ba.
About Ƶ
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Ƶ equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Ƶis a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
Ƶ men's basketball head coach Brian Van Haaften has been named GPAC Coach of the Year after leading the team to a historic season, including a 19-11 record and third consecutive NAIA National Championship appearance
Missions Upside Down, a free resource from Ƶ's Rev. Aaron Baart and Mark Volkers, challenges traditional views on mission work and equips churches and individuals with a Christ-centered, strategic approach for the 21st century.
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