Program Overview

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Kinesiology, BS

The Kinesiology department's mission is to research, teach, and apply knowledge related to movement, exercise, and human occupation with the ultimate goal of enhancing human health, productivity, and quality of life.

Program Description

Students in this major take coursework grounded in the basic sciences (e.g., physiology, anatomy, biology) and in kinesiology. Kinesiology core courses examine how the body responds to physical activity, the role of physiology and psychological factors in exercise, mechanics driving movement, how movement is controlled, learned, and developed over the lifespan, and the role of physical activity in the health of the U.S. population.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes coursework, engaging laboratory research opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences. Additionally, elective courses give students some flexibility to tailor the program to their specific interests. Examples of elective topics include strength and conditioning, leadership, health theory, athlete monitoring, clinical exercise prescription, and advanced courses in exercise physiology, exercise psychology, and biomechanics.

Career Opportunities

Kinesiology is a pre-professional program. This means that our students are well prepared for subsequent graduate or professional training in the allied health disciplines. The degree also prepares students for graduate programs in kinesiology and athletic training. Kinesiology graduates may pursue entry-level careers in a wide variety of professions, including those in the area of fitness, home health, and rehabilitation assistance.

Graduating Seniors' Careers

Graduating seniors have reported starting the following jobs: club coach, programming administrator, medical scribe, AmeriCorps, rehabilitation aide, personal trainer, research assistant/specialist, physical therapy aide, nursing home caregiver, nanny, group exercise instructor, certified nursing assistant, medical device sales, strength and conditioning internship, United Cerebral Palsy inclusion facilitator, financial counselor, EKG tech, behavioral technician, project manager, ranch worker, wellbeing intern, glacier guide.

Graduating Seniors' Graduate Programs

Graduating seniors have reported acceptance into the following graduate programs: Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Public Health, Doctor of Medicine, Chiropractic School, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Biomedical Engineering, Master in Physician Assistant Studies, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Master of Science in Exercise Science, Master of Science in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, Dentistry.

How to Get In

Kinesiology Declaration Overview

Incoming freshmen typically enter UWMadison as Pre-Kinesiology students (PKN), spend the first two years completing liberal studies, general education, and Kinesiology prerequisite requirements, and declare the Kinesiology major during their sophomore year for the final two years on campus.

Eligibility to Declare Kinesiology

Kinesiology currently accepts declarations once a year, from December 1st through February 1st. The on-campus declaration form is located on the School of Education's Undergraduate Admissions page, along with information about the declaration period, deadline, and current eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

• Complete the following prerequisite coursework by the end of the spring semester of the declaration year:
  • Biology Sequence: Complete one of the following Biology sequences: BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 101 & BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 102, or BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151, or Advanced Placement (AP) Biology exam score of 4 or 5, or International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology exam score of 4 or 5.
  • Chemistry Sequence: Complete one of the following Chemistry sequences: CHEM 103 & CHEM 104, or CHEM 109, or CHEM 115 & CHEM 116.
  • Physics Course: Complete one of the following Physics courses: PHYSICS 103, or PHYSICS 201, or PHYSICS 207.
  • Kinesiology Course: KINES 119 Introduction to Kinesiology.
• Students may complete no more than three of the prerequisite courses during the spring semester of the declaration year.
• Earn a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA or a 2.75 cumulative GPA based on the Last 60 Credits Rule by the end of the fall semester of the declaration year.

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. These requirements include:

• BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
• BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits
• BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
• Communication Part A & Part B
• Ethnic Studies
• Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

School of Education Liberal Studies Requirements

All students are required to complete a minimum of 40 credits of Liberal Studies coursework. This requirement provides an opportunity to do some academic exploration beyond the scope of the major. Coursework is required in humanities, social studies, science, and cultural and historical studies.

Program Structure

The Kinesiology program has five components:

• Liberal studies courses expose students to a broad range of academic disciplines.
• Science core coursework offers in-depth study of the basic sciences and mathematics.
• Kinesiology core courses look at how the body responds and adapts to exercise, the role of psychological factors in sports and exercise, mechanics applied to biological systems, and how movement is controlled, learned, and developed over the life span.
• Advanced coursework in Kinesiology requires at least 11 credits of Kinesiology electives.
• Classes are generally related to the student's area of study and are taken to reach the minimum of 120 credits.

Science Core

Coursework includes:

• Chemistry: Select one of the following: CHEM 103 & CHEM 104, or CHEM 109, or CHEM 115 & CHEM 116.
• Biology: Select one of the following: AP or IB Biology score of 4 or above, or BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 101 & BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 102, or BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151.
• Physics: Select one of the following: PHYSICS 103, or PHYSICS 201, or PHYSICS 207.
• Psychology: PSYCH 202 Introduction to Psychology.
• Mathematics: Complete one option: Placement into MATH 221, or MATH 112 & MATH 113, or MATH 114, or MATH 171 & MATH 217.
• Statistics: Select one of the following: STAT 371, or STAT 301, or PSYCH 210.

Kinesiology Core

Coursework includes:

• KINES 116 First Aid and Basic Life Support
• KINES 119 Introduction to Kinesiology
• KINES 300 Practicum in Kinesiology
• KINES 314 Physiology of Exercise
• KINES 318 Biomechanics of Human Movement
• KINES 330 Research in Kinesiology
• KINES 350 Introduction to Exercise Psychology
• KINES 361 Motor Learning and Performance
• Select one of the following: KINES 355, or KINES 521, or KINES 540, or KINES 560, or KINES 600, or KINES 614.

Advanced Coursework in Kinesiology

Select a minimum of 11 credits from the following:

• KINES 214 Culture and Environment in Exercise Physiology Abroad
• KINES 250 Sedentary Behavior in the U.S. and Abroad
• KINES 260 Inclusive Physical Activity, Sport & Rehabilitation in Ireland
• KINES 312 Technology for Physical Activity and Health Professionals
• KINES 325 Group Development and Behavior Management
• KINES 360 Lifespan Motor Development
• KINES 387 The Young Athlete: Considerations for Exercise, Medicine, and Activity
• KINES 390 Principles of Exercise Leadership
• KINES 427 Fitness Testing and Exercise Prescription
• KINES 501 Theory-Based Health Education and Health Promotion Programs
• KINES 508 Workshop in Kinesiology
• KINES 523 Clinical Exercise Testing and Prescription for Health Professionals
• KINES/NUTR SCI 525 Nutrition in Physical Activity and Health
• KINES 527 Principles of Strength and Conditioning
• KINES 531 Neural Control of Movement
• KINES 555 Sports Science & Athlete Monitoring
• KINES 614 Biological Factors Influencing Exercise Performance
• KINES 615 Laboratory Techniques in Exercise Physiology
• KINES 618 Biomechanics

Elective Coursework

Select additional courses to reach the minimum of 120 credits.

Continuation Requirement: Department of Kinesiology

All students admitted to undergraduate programs in the Department of Kinesiology must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75, based on all UWMadison campus coursework.

GPA and Other Graduation Requirements

• Must earn a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average.
• Major residency: Students must complete a minimum of 15 credits from the Department of Kinesiology while enrolled on the UWMadison campus.
• Senior residency: Degree candidates must complete their last 30 credits in residence on the UWMadison campus, excluding retroactive credits and credits granted by examination.
• Must complete a minimum of 120 credits.

Learning Outcomes

• Define and explain major concepts across the breadth of kinesiology.
• Apply their knowledge related to movement and physical activity techniques and approaches in clinical and applied settings to enhance human health and quality of life.
• Demonstrate competence in the scientific research process, which includes the ability to consume, analyze, interpret and critically review scientific literature.
• Develop appropriate styles of written and oral communication to use both within and outside of the scientific community.

Four-Year Plan

A four-year sample graduation plan is designed to guide your course selection throughout your academic career. There are many ways to complete the degree and course selection should reflect your own situation.

Starting with MATH 112

• Freshman: Communication A, BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 102, MATH 112, Liberal Studies coursework
• Sophomore: BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 101 or 151, CHEM 103, CHEM 104, MATH 113, STAT 301, PSYCH 202
• Junior: KINES 330 or 361, KINES 350, ANAT&PHY 335, Advanced Kines Elective
• Senior: KINES 318 or 300, Communication B, KINES 355, KINES 521, KINES 540, KINES 560, KINES 600, KINES 614, Advanced Kines Elective

Testing out of MATH 112

• Freshman: Communication A, CHEM 103, Liberal Studies coursework, MATH 113
• Sophomore: PHYSICS 103, BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 101 or 151, CHEM 104, STAT 301, PSYCH 202
• Junior: KINES 330 or 361, KINES 350, ANAT&PHY 335, Advanced Kines Elective
• Senior: KINES 318 or 300, Communication B, KINES 355, KINES 521, KINES 540, KINES 560, KINES 600, KINES 614, Advanced Kines Elective

Starting with MATH 96

• Freshman: Communication A, MATH 096, BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 102, Liberal Studies coursework
• Sophomore: CHEM 103, KINES 119, PHYSICS 103, MATH 112, STAT 301, PSYCH 202
• Junior: KINES 330 or 361, KINES 350, ANAT&PHY 335, Advanced Kines Elective
• Senior: KINES 318 or 300, Communication B, KINES 355, KINES 521, KINES 540, KINES 560, KINES 600, KINES 614, Advanced Kines Elective

Advising and Careers

Kinesiology Advising

Students not yet admitted to Kinesiology meet with an advisor in the School of Education Student Services office. Once admitted to the professional program, students are also advised in the Department of Kinesiology.

School of Education Advising

Dedicated to supporting and promoting student success, academic advisors are here to assist students with the adjustment to college, understanding their degree and career goals, and connecting them to resources.

Career Advising in the School of Education

Through individual appointments, events, courses, and online resources, the Career Center provides students and alumni with the tools needed to be successful in their career development.

Wisconsin Experience

UWMadisons vision for the total student experience, the Wisconsin Experience, combines learning in and out of the classroom. Tied to the Wisconsin Idea and steeped in long-standing institutional values the commitment to the truth, shared participation in decision-making, and service to local and global communities the Wisconsin Experience describes how students develop and integrate these core values across their educational experience.

Resources and Scholarships

Information about scholarships, academic and career advising, study abroad opportunities, student diversity services, and other resources for students in the School of Education can be found on the school's Resources page.