Student Kinesiologists work day-to-day directly with a Varsity program to assist Varsity Health in the prevention, management and care of illness and injury to our Varsity Athletes. This role will give you the opportunity to learn from and work with an interdisciplinary team of Athletic Therapists, Physiotherapists, Sports & Exercise Medicine Physicians, Strength & Conditioning Specialists, Mental Skills Specialists, Nutritionists and more!

Potential benefits of the program include:

• Peer-to-peer mentorship
• Direct involvement with a varsity team
• Scholarship or financial award opportunities
• Practical learning opportunity
• Enhanced campus experience
• Interdisciplinary experience

PROGRAM OVERVIEW SLIDESHOW

APPLICATION FORM

Becoming a Student Kinesiologist

Those that meet the minimum requirements on their application will be contacted for next steps which may include additional application(s) and/or interview(s). Students that are successful in their application will be contacted directly for placement with a team in June. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

IMPORTANT DATES

• February 2, 2026 - Applications open via "Application Form" button below
• Late February, 2026 - Student Kinesiologist Information Session - details TBD
• March 13, 2026 - Application Deadline - 11:59 pm
• March 17, 2026 - Interview Sign Up Opens (sent to all who applied)
• March 23 - April 9, 2026 - In-Person Interviews
• April 23, 2026 - Offer Letters sent out to successful candidates
• July / August 2026 - Onboarding Retreats

APPLICATION FORM

FAQs

What does the role entail?

• Student Kinesiologists work day-to-day directly with a varsity program to assist Varsity Health in the prevention, management, and care of illness and injury to Golden Bears and Pandas student-athletes
• This role will give you the opportunity to learn from and work with an interdisciplinary team of Athletic Therapists, Physiotherapists, Sports & Exercise Medicine Physicians, Strength & Conditioning Specialists, Mental Skills Specialists, Nutritionists and more
• Attend practices, games & other mandatory team events
• Away game travel 
• Generally, one student-kinesiologist attends all away games with our teams. There are some exceptions to this and most teams have more than one student-kinesiologist assigned to them
  **travel is generally reserved for our experienced students
• Arrive early to assist in athlete preparation
• Usually >1 hour prior to a practice, >2 hours prior to a game
• Stay late after practice & games to assist in athlete wellness management
• Communicate & document ALL incidents and actions in a timely manner
• Assist in pre-season testing including baseline concussion testing, pre-participation evaluations and others as asked & as necessary

Minimum Requirements

• KIN240 (or equivalent)
• First Aid, CPR-C and AED Training
• CPR A & B are NOT sufficient

What is the time commitment?

• Approximately 20 hours per week. Hours are almost exclusively evenings/weekends in alignment with team practice and game schedules
• Schedule varies sport to sport and based on the time of year
• In planning your schedule, Do NOT think about Sunday-Saturday. Think about: game day, practice day and off day. Practices and games happen on Sundays, holidays, thanksgiving, reading weeks, Christmas break, New Years Day etc.
• Your flexibility in your schedules will be important.

Is this a paid opportunity or are scholarships available?

• The student-kinesiology program is a volunteer based program
• Scholarships and awards with a value range of $500 to $1000 are available to exceptional members of the program. An application to these awards and scholarships may be required. More information is distributed to members of the program

Are there any additional perks of the program?

• Yes! Branded clothing, free conference playoff tickets and the potential to travel with the team you are assigned to
• You will also be part of a network of healthcare providers with ample opportunities to learn from and connect with

How many students are accepted each year?

• Our intake numbers depend on needs each year. Approximately 15-20 new students are admitted each year. The program typically has 40 students per year

Which teams have students assigned to them?

• Almost all of them! Track & Field to Wrestling and Volleyball to Hockey, we have it all!
• Visit bearsandpandas.ca for a full list of varsity teams

Does this program offer academic credit?

• We are a long time partner of the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, & Recreation Practicum program and the Work Integrated Learning program. We offer one and two term practicums.
• Visit the KSR practicum website for more information
• Those wishing to complete a practicum with Varsity Health should email varsityhealth@ualberta.ca
• Please note we do NOT offer winter, spring or summer practicums. We offer fall practicums and fall/winter practicums
• Practicums are the only academic credit that we offer

Would I get to travel with the team?

• Generally, one student-kinesiologist attends all away games with our teams. There are some exceptions to this and most teams have more than one student-kinesiologist assigned to them
• Travel is generally reserved for our experienced students

Do I need a car for this program?

• Some teams practice and train in locations around the city. Having access to a vehicle is an asset but is not required.