Scuba Diving and Kinesiology: Development of an Academic Program

The use of scuba diving as a recreational activity within traditional university instructional programs has been well established. Departments focusing on kinesiology, physical education, or exercise science have often provided scuba diving lessons as part of their activity-based course offerings. However, few departments have developed an academic scuba diving minor designed to meet the professional needs of students interested in both a scuba-based career and a traditional kinesiology profession. The Department of Kinesiology at Western Illinois University has developed and implemented an academic minor in scuba diving designed to provide unique academic and professional preparation for students interested in diving as a professional career. Students from a variety of academic majors, including kinesiology, are benefitting from courses designed to prepare students scientifically, technically, and academically for future employment in recreational, law-enforcement, and scientific careers utilizing scuba diving skills and techniques. The purpose of this article is to highlight the development and usefulness of this unique program and discuss its significance to an academic department in kinesiology and to the overall professional field.