Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

Program Overview

The Kinesiology program at George Mason University provides students with a science-based education in human movement and wellness. Students can specialize in Allied Health Sciences or Strength and Conditioning, preparing them for careers in healthcare, fitness, or sport science. The program emphasizes experiential learning through practicums and internships, ensuring graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed in their chosen field.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Kinesiology (KINE) undergraduate program at George Mason University is a demanding, science-based degree designed to prepare students with strong scientific knowledge in health, wellness, and performance across the lifespan. Kinesiology faculty provide students with a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to the study of human movement utilizing classroom, laboratory, and experiential learning environments. Two concentrations are offered: Strength and Conditioning and Allied Health Sciences. The curriculum and learning environment prepare students for advanced professional or graduate study and to excel in careers post-graduation. Students obtain jobs in a variety of careers in the health and wellness industry, such as clinical exercise, corporate fitness, athletic training, personal training, strength and conditioning, sport science, sport and exercise nutrition, wellness/fitness management, sports chiropractic, medical, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. The BS in Kinesiology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP: American College of Sports Medicine sponsored) and holds national program recognition status from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-ERP).

Outline:

Degree Requirements:

• Total credits: 120
• Mason Core:
• Foundation Requirements:
• Written Communication (3 credits): ENGH 101 Composition
• Oral Communication (3 credits):
• Quantitative Reasoning (3 credits): STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I or EDRS 220 Introduction to Applied Quantitative Analysis
• Exploration Requirements:
• Arts (3 credits):
• Global Understanding (3 credits):
• Literature (3 credits):
• Natural Science (3 credits): Met by BIOL 124 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 125 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, program requirements.
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits):
• Global History (3 credits):
• Integration Requirement:
• Written Communication (3 credits): ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Writing Intensive)
• Synthesis/Capstone (3 credits): Met by KINE 450 Research Methods, a program requirement.
• Total Credits: 30
• Professional Sequence:
• ATEP 120 First Aid and Emergency Care (2 credits)
• ATEP 300 Functional Anatomy (3 credits)
• BIOL 124 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
• BIOL 125 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
• KINE 100 Introduction to Kinesiology (3 credits)
• KINE 200 Methods of Exercise Instruction (3 credits)
• KINE 260 Behavior Modification for Physical Activity (3 credits)
• KINE 295 Principles of Human Nutrition (3 credits)
• KINE 310 Exercise Physiology I (3 credits)
• KINE 340 Exercise Testing and Evaluation (3 credits)
• KINE 341 Kinesiology Practicum (3 credits)
• KINE 350 Exercise Prescription and Programming (3 credits)
• KINE 355 Introduction to Biomechanics (3 credits)
• KINE 404 Motor Control Theory and Application (3 credits)
• KINE 450 Research Methods (3 credits) (fulfills writing intensive requirement)
• Total Credits: 46
• BS in Kinesiology without Concentration:
• Students are encouraged to pursue a minor and/or concentration.
Students who do not select an optional concentration must complete the professional sequence and select at least 38 additional credits from any of the courses in the university catalog.
• KINE 490 Kinesiology Internship (6-12 credits)
• Electives (32-38 credits)
• Concentration in Allied Health Sciences (AHS):
• This concentration prepares students with the prerequisite knowledge and skills needed to advance to graduate programs in pursuit of becoming an allied health professional, such as an athletic trainer, physical therapist, occupational therapist, sports medicine physician, or sports chiropractor.
• ATEP 201 Medical and Scientific Terminology (3 credits)
• BIOL 103 Introductory Biology II-Survey of Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits)
• BIOL 105 Introductory Biology II Laboratory (1 credit)
• KINE 410 Exercise Physiology II (3 credits)
• KINE 490 Kinesiology Internship (6-12 credits)
• PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
• PSYC 211 Lifespan Development (3 credits)
• PHYS 243 College Physics I (3 credits)
• PHYS 244 College Physics I Lab (1 credit)
• Choose one ATEP or KINE course at the 300 level or higher (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 29-35
• Electives (9-15 credits)
• Concentration in Strength and Conditioning (STCN):
• This concentration prepares students with the requisite knowledge and skills needed to become Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS).
This certification is a requirement for many positions in personal training, strength and conditioning coaching, sport science, fitness, and player development.
• KINE 250 Endurance Sport Program Design (3 credits)
• KINE 360 Strength Training: Concepts and Applications (3 credits)
• KINE 361 Advanced Resistance Training Techniques (3 credits)
• KINE 405 Health and Fitness Facility Administration and Management (3 credits)
• KINE 409 Strength and Conditioning (3 credits)
• KINE 420 Sport and Exercise Nutrition (3 credits)
• KINE 490 Kinesiology Internship (12 credits)
• SPMT 320 Psychology of Sport (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 33
• Electives (11 credits)

Teaching:

• Kinesiology faculty provide students with a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to the study of human movement utilizing classroom, laboratory, and experiential learning environments.

Careers:

Students obtain jobs in a variety of careers in the health and wellness industry, such as clinical exercise, corporate fitness, athletic training, personal training, strength and conditioning, sport science, sport and exercise nutrition, wellness/fitness management, sports chiropractic, medical, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

Other:

• Kinesiology Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 each semester and to receive a grade of C or better in all Professional Sequence courses as well as STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) or EDRS 220 Introduction to Applied Quantitative Analysis (Mason Core).
Failure to do so will result in probation or termination from the Kinesiology program.
• Students in the Allied Health Sciences and Strength and Conditioning concentrations must maintain at least a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and earn a C or better in their Professional Sequence and concentration coursework.
Failure to do so will result in termination from the concentration.
• All students completing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree are required to complete a 3-credit practicum during their junior year and a 6-to 12-credit capstone internship during their graduating semester.
Students must have earned 90 credit hours and met the specific prerequisites to be eligible for the internship (KINE 490 Kinesiology Internship).
• Students in the Strength and Conditioning concentration are required to complete a minimum of 570 internship hours (12 credits of KINE 490 Kinesiology Internship) in two substantially different experiences (e.g., sport, gender, age range, or other).
• All Kinesiology students must have Emergency Cardiac Care (CPR, AED Certification at the level of a Healthcare Professional) and First Aid certifications before entering their first practicum experience (KINE 341 Kinesiology Practicum) and must maintain these certifications through the remainder of the Kinesiology degree program.
• All Kinesiology students will complete blood-borne pathogens and infectious disease exposure training in the practicum and internship courses.
Some practicum/internship sites require proof of current immunizations and may require students to obtain additional immunizations and health screenings not required by George Mason University. Costs associated with said immunizations and health screenings are to be assumed by the Kinesiology student.