Program Overview

Introduction to the Kinesiology — Exercise Science Specialization, BS

The Kinesiology major with an Exercise Science Specialization provides a concentrated study of human movement from mechanical, physiological, and pathological perspectives. This program is suitable for students who plan to work in the fitness/exercise industry or any other field where human movement and exercise prescription are the focus. Additionally, this degree can serve as a gateway to allied health professions or preparation for post-baccalaureate study in areas such as exercise physiology, health/fitness, biomechanics, nutrition, and human growth and motor development.

Why Consider an Exercise Science Specialization in Kinesiology Major?

The exercise science specialization is recommended for students who wish to pursue a variety of career opportunities related to kinesiology. Students should seek advising to determine the appropriate set of courses leading to a specialized emphasis.

Student Resources

• Department Website: Health and Human Development
• Department Advising: See the program’s website for more information
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers: Wellness Coordinator, Health Club Manager, Personal Trainer, Fitness Product Sales, Pharmaceutical Drug Sales, Biomedical Research &/or Sales, Athletic Trainer, Nutrition Specialist

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

1. WWU students with at least 75 credits completed and a GPA of at least 2.5 may apply to enter one of the three specializations in the Kinesiology major.
2. Applications from one student to multiple Kinesiology specializations are not permitted.
3. At the time of application, the 75 or more credits must be recorded in the student’s WWU academic history (WWU transcript) and/or in the student’s WWU transfer equivalency report.
4. If the student has attended more than one institution, then the student’s GPA for purposes of application to the Kinesiology major is calculated as a weighted average of the GPAs obtained at each of the schools attended.
5. Admission to each specialization will be determined on a space-available basis after ranking candidates by GPA, from high to low.
6. The application to the Kinesiology major is submitted via a link on the Kinesiology program website.
7. Deadlines for the application each year are as follows:

• Second Friday of classes in fall quarter, for the students entering the major in the subsequent winter quarter.
• Second Friday of classes in winter quarter, for the students entering the major in the subsequent spring quarter.
• Second Friday of classes in spring quarter, for the students entering the major in the subsequent fall quarter.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements (85-91 credits)

• BIOL 348 - Human Anatomy and Physiology w/lab Credits: 5
• KIN 306 - Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology Credits: 5
• KIN 311 - Biomechanics Credits: 5
• KIN 312 - Functional Anatomy Credits: 5
• KIN 320 - Psychology of Sport Credits: 3
• KIN 410 - Motor Control and Learning Credits: 3
• KIN 413 - Physiology of Exercise Credits: 5
• KIN 415 - Physical Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription Credits: 5
• KIN 416 - Strength and Conditioning Program Design Credits: 3
• KIN 421 - Psychology of Exercise Credits: 3
• KIN 422 - Professional Issues in Health and Exercise Settings Credits: 3
• Choose one of the following options:
  • KIN 491 - Field Experience I Credits: 3 (3 credits) and KIN 492 - Field Experience II Credits: 3 (3 credits)
  • OR
  • KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits) and KIN 493 - Exercise And Sport Science Research Credits: 3 (3 credits)
  • OR
  • KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits) and KIN 494 - Instructional Assistant Credits: 3 (3 credits)
  • OR
  • KIN 472 - Internship II Credits: 12 (12 credits)
• Select 4 credits from:
  • PA 101 - Beginning Conditioning Credits: 1
  • PA 104 - Beginning Yoga Credits: 1
  • PA 106 - Intermediate Yoga Credits: 1
  • PA 107 - Beginning Swimming Credits: 1
  • PA 108 - Beginning Weight Training Credits: 1
  • PA 109 - Strength & Yoga Fusion Credits: 1
  • PA 110 - Yoga for Restoration Credits: 1
  • PA 111 - Beginning Pilates Credits: 1
  • PA 118 - Intermediate Weight Training Credits: 1
  • PA 119 - Intro to Indoor Rock Climbing Credits: 1
  • PA 125 - Zumba Credits: 1
  • PA 132 - Beginning Badminton Credits: 1
  • PA 134 - Beginning Pickleball Credits: 1
  • PA 139 - Beginning Racquetball Credits: 1
  • PA 144 - Beginning Soccer Credits: 1
  • PA 145 - Beginning Volleyball Credits: 1
  • PA 149 - Beginning Ultimate Disc Credits: 1
  • PA 152 - Beginning Kickboxing Credits: 1
  • PA 153 - Intro to Tai Chi Ch’uan Credits: 1
  • PA 155 - Intermediate Tai Chi Ch’uan Credits: 1
  • PA 168 - Beginning Martial Arts Credits: 1
  • PA 169 - Beginning Self-Defense Credits: 1
  • PA 173 - Swimming for Fitness Credits: 1
  • PA 177 - Basic Kayak Touring Credits: 1
• Select a minimum of 30 credits from:
  • BIOL 349 - Human Physiology w/lab Credits: 5
  • HLED 335 - Environmental Health Credits: 5
  • HLED 345 - Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Credits: 5
  • HLED 350 - Nutrition Credits: 5
  • HLED 355 - Healthcare System in the United States Credits: 5
  • KIN 304 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries Credits: 3
  • KIN 308 - Human Growth and Motor Development Credits: 3
  • KIN 315 - Fitness Instruction and Leadership Credits: 2
  • KIN 321 - Sociology of Sport Credits: 3
  • KIN 409 - Aging and Functional Assessments Credits: 4
  • KIN 412 - Human Anatomy Dissection Credits: 1
  • KIN 414 - Physical Activity and Nutrition Credits: 3
  • KIN 419 - Mental Health Topics in Kinesiology Credits: 3
  • KIN 435 - Worksite Health Promotion Credits: 5
  • CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I Credits: 5
  • CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II Credits: 5
  • CHEM 163 - General Chemistry III Credits: 5
  • CHEM 251 - Elementary Organic Chemistry Credits: 5
  • CHEM 375 - Elements of Biochemistry Credits: 4
  • COMM 244 - Advocacy Through Media Credits: 5
  • COMM 318 - Professional Communication Credits: 5
  • COMM 319 - Health Communication Credits: 5
  • COMM 325 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 5
  • COMM 327 - Interpersonal Communication Credits: 5
  • COMM 416 - Topics in Communication Credits: 3-5
  • CSCI 101 - Computers and Applications Credits: 4
  • CSCI 140 - Programming Fundamentals in C++ Credits: 4
  • ENG 302 - Technical Writing Credits: 5
  • PHYS 114 - Principles of Physics I Credits: 5
  • PHYS 115 - Principles of Physics II Credits: 5
  • PHYS 116 - Principles of Physics III Credits: 5
  • PSY 220 - Behavioral Neuroscience Credits: 5
  • PSY 230 - Lifespan Developmental Psychology Credits: 5
  • PSY 250 - Introduction to Behavioral and Mental Health Credits: 5
• Up to one course from (none required):
  • KIN 307 - Statistics in Exercise & Sport Science Credits: 4
  • MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 4

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement