Physical Culture and Sports explores sport and exercise through a humanities/social science approach. This program includes coursework in philosophy and ethics, sport law, sport history, the history of physical culture and race and gender issues in sport. The PCS program provides excellent preparation for graduate studies in sport management, sport history, sport studies, law school, and careers in journalism, on-line media, and sport organization.
Preparing for this Major
If you are still in high school, take some business-related courses as general background and begin reading books on sport history and make it a habit to read the sports pages online or in the newspaper. If you are currently attending another college or university, contact an academic advisor to make sure the classes you are taking will transfer to UT Austin.
What You Need to Do
When you start the program, talk to your academic advisor. They will review your degree requirements and help you choose a certificate, track, minor, or specialization. Your advisor will help you identify and choose the option that best aligns with your career goals.
All of our Kinesiology and Health Education specializations would work for this major:
- Coaching
- Community Health and Wellness
- Disability Studies
- Health Fitness Instructor
- Medical Fitness & Rehabilitation
- Strength & Conditioning Coaching
Learn more about certificates, minors, specializations and tracks
Program Overview
As a Physical Culture and Sports major, you will take 30 hours of Kinesiology and Health Education classes including core courses that give you the foundation you will need to do well in the cognate classes specific to this major. Some of the course options include:
- KIN 312M Management of Physical Activity & Sport Programs
- KIN 347 Historical & Ethical Issues in Physical Culture & Sports
- KIN 349 History of Sport & Physical Activity
- KIN 350 Sociological Aspects of Sport & Physical Activity OR KIN 352K Race and Sport in African American Life
- KIN 351 Philosophy of Sport & Physical Activity
- KIN 352K Historical Trends/Current Issues in American Physical Culture
- KIN 352K Women and Sport
- HED 311 Intro to Health Promotion & Behavioral Science
- KIN 310 Physiological Basis of Conditioning
You also will be able to take elective courses that supplement your major. Be sure to talk to your academic advisor about the best options.
Study Abroad Opportunity
Experience the world and change it. Studying abroad goes beyond the classroom. You also can intern, conduct research, and gain hands-on experience internationally – all of which look great on your resume.
Maymester in Denmark: Sport, Society, and the International Olympic Movement
Led by Professors Thomas Hunt and John Bartholomew, this course is held in the beautiful city Copenhagen, Denmark. Students in the program visit organizations such as the Danish Olympic and the Danish Anti-Doping Agency in order to gain insight into the international political dimensions of sport and the Olympic Movement. The first half of the program focuses on the impact of nationalism and globalization in sport. The second half is devoted to an examination of youth sport in comparative international context. Students also explore the distinct culture of Copenhagen by way of both bike and boat tours of the city. Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and home to many Danish national sport organizations, providing ample opportunity for professional networking. Lonely Planet voted it the #1 city to visit in the world last year.
A number of other study abroad opportunities exist at UT. Reach out to Texas Global and your academic advisor to learn more.
Research Opportunities
You may have the opportunity to conduct fieldwork with the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture in Sports. The Department of Kinesiology and Health Education is home to more than 20 well-funded research labs working to promote and understand physical activity, health, movement, behavior, and physical culture and sport. Many of these labs welcome undergraduate students, so take a few minutes to learn more about the ground-breaking research happening in our department and find out if you would be interested in working with our top-notch faculty and graduate students.
Possible Career Paths
Graduates choose to pursue careers such as sport analytics, youth sport development, writing and journalism, sport law, public relations, governmental and sport agencies, community-based sports programs, and coaching outside the public schools. Many also go on to graduate programs in sport history, sport management, and other allied fields.
Additional Resources
Small Class Sizes
Study Abroad Options
Research Opportunities
Work Closely with Faculty
Multiple Career Paths
