Kean to launch musical theater, exercise science undergrad programs

Kean University will launch programs in musical theater performance and exercise science this fall, the university announced March 28.

Kean already offers undergraduate majors including theater, theater performance, and theater design and technology. The new option, bachelor’s of fine arts in theater performance: musical theater, is a concentration within the performance major.

“Musical theatre is something that we’ve known for years is a very popular degree,” said Holly Logue, director of the Kean Theatre Conservatory.

“Musical theatre is not just Broadway,” she said. “It’s regional theater, cruise ships, becoming a performer at Disney. And when you think about transferable life skills, theatre students are problem solvers and creators. They work collaboratively; they meet deadlines; they are poised presenters. Businesses want people with creative backgrounds and training and skills.”

The concentration adds more training in voice, dance and music.

The school is also offering a new bachelor’s in exercise science, pre-athletic training and physical therapy.

“There are many different career paths for exercise science students,” said Assistant Professor Adam Eckart, coordinator of Kean’s exercise science program. “The base program prepares students for careers as exercise physiologists, personal trainers, group training instructors, wellness coordinators, and strength and conditioning coaches. The new option will be geared toward those students specifically planning to pursue a master’s degree in athletic training, a doctorate of physical therapy, or other clinical careers after they graduate.”

The new option includes more emphasis on math, science and health-related courses, which means students applying to graduate programs would not need to take those prerequisites in addition to the regular exercise science program, the university announced.

Current students interested in the new options can discuss them with their advisors.

“Kean University is committed to offering world-class education that expands students’ horizons and prepares them for a wide variety of future careers or graduate study,” said Kean President Lamont Repollet. “These two new academic program options are in response to our students’ interests and needs.”