Program Overview

Introduction to the Kinesiology — Sport Psychology Specialization, BS

The Kinesiology major with a Sport Psychology 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, sport psychology, nutrition, and human growth and motor development.

Why Consider a Sport Psychology Specialization in the Kinesiology Major?

The sport psychology option provides students with the behavioral knowledge and educational techniques to enhance performance in recreational, exercise, and athletic settings. This option emphasizes psychology and exercise science, serving as preparation for coaching and providing an adequate set of prerequisites for post-baccalaureate study in sport and/or exercise psychology.

Student Resources

• Department Website: Health and Human Development
• General Information and Advising: Available through the Kinesiology program web page or the HHD Advisor.
• Sport Psychology Specialization Advisors: Available for guidance.
• Department Advising: See the program’s website for more information.
• Degree Works: Current students should log on to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connects majors to careers.

Sample Careers

• Athletic & Wellness Coaching
• Wellness Coordinator
• Health & Fitness Professional
• Personal Trainer
• Athletic Trainer (with post-baccalaureate study)
• Graduate School in Kinesiology (with post-baccalaureate study)

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

1. Eligibility: WWU students with at least 75 credits completed and a GPA of at least 2.5 may apply.
2. Application Process: Applications are submitted via a link on the Kinesiology program website.
3. Deadlines: Second Friday of classes in fall, winter, or spring quarters for subsequent quarter admission.
4. Notification: Student applicants are notified of the outcome as soon as possible after the application deadline.
5. Advising: Students admitted to the major are assigned to a program academic advisor and must meet to make a plan of study.

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 (86-97 credits)

• BIOL 348 - Human Anatomy and Physiology w/lab (5 credits)
• KIN 306 - Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology (5 credits)
• KIN 311 - Biomechanics (5 credits)
• KIN 312 - Functional Anatomy (5 credits)
• KIN 320 - Psychology of Sport (3 credits)
• KIN 321 - Sociology of Sport (3 credits)
• KIN 410 - Motor Control and Learning (3 credits)
• KIN 413 - Physiology of Exercise (5 credits)
• KIN 416 - Strength and Conditioning Program Design (3 credits)
• KIN 420 - Seminar in Sport Psychology (3 credits)
• KIN 421 - Psychology of Exercise (3 credits)
• KIN 422 - Professional Issues in Health and Exercise Settings (3 credits)
• PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology (5 credits)
• PSY 210 - Cognition (5 credits)
• PSY 230 - Lifespan Developmental Psychology (5 credits)
• PSY 240 - Social Psychology (5 credits)
• PSY 250 - Introduction to Behavioral and Mental Health (5 credits)
• Choose one of the following options:
  • KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits) and KIN 492 - Field Experience II (3 credits)
  • KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits) and KIN 493 - Exercise And Sport Science Research (3 credits)
  • KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits) and KIN 494 - Instructional Assistant (3 credits)
  • KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits) and KIN 472 - Internship II (12 credits)
• Select 4 credits from:
  • PA 101 - Beginning Conditioning (1 credit)
  • PA 104 - Beginning Yoga (1 credit)
  • PA 106 - Intermediate Yoga (1 credit)
  • PA 107 - Beginning Swimming (1 credit)
  • PA 108 - Beginning Weight Training (1 credit)
  • PA 109 - Strength & Yoga Fusion (1 credit)
  • PA 110 - Yoga for Restoration (1 credit)
  • PA 111 - Beginning Pilates (1 credit)
  • PA 118 - Intermediate Weight Training (1 credit)
  • PA 119 - Intro to Indoor Rock Climbing (1 credit)
  • PA 125 - Zumba (1 credit)
  • PA 132 - Beginning Badminton (1 credit)
  • PA 134 - Beginning Pickleball (1 credit)
  • PA 139 - Beginning Racquetball (1 credit)
  • PA 144 - Beginning Soccer (1 credit)
  • PA 145 - Beginning Volleyball (1 credit)
  • PA 149 - Beginning Ultimate Disc (1 credit)
  • PA 152 - Beginning Kickboxing (1 credit)
  • PA 153 - Intro to Tai Chi Ch’uan (1 credit)
  • PA 155 - Intermediate Tai Chi Ch’uan (1 credit)
  • PA 168 - Beginning Martial Arts (1 credit)
  • PA 169 - Beginning Self-Defense (1 credit)
  • PA 173 - Swimming for Fitness (1 credit)
  • PA 177 - Basic Kayak Touring (1 credit)
• Select two courses under advisement from:
  • HLED 335 - Environmental Health (5 credits)
  • HLED 345 - Health Promotion/Disease Prevention (5 credits)
  • KIN 304 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries (3 credits)
  • KIN 307 - Statistics in Exercise & Sport Science (4 credits)
  • KIN 308 - Human Growth and Motor Development (3 credits)
  • KIN 315 - Fitness Instruction and Leadership (2 credits)
  • KIN 409 - Aging and Functional Assessments (4 credits)
  • KIN 414 - Physical Activity and Nutrition (3 credits)
  • KIN 415 - Physical Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription (5 credits)
  • KIN 419 - Mental Health Topics in Kinesiology (3 credits)
  • PSY 119 - Psychology of Gender (4 credits)
  • PSY 203 - Research Methods (5 credits)
  • PSY 220 - Behavioral Neuroscience (5 credits)
  • PSY 319 - Cognitive Neuroscience (5 credits)
  • PSY 322 - Motivation (5 credits)
  • PSY 323 - Psychopharmacology (5 credits)
  • PSY 334 - Cognitive Development (5 credits)
  • PSY 335 - Socioemotional Development (5 credits)
  • PSY 336 - Personality Development (5 credits)
  • PSY 341 - Psychology and Culture (5 credits)
  • PSY 375 - Health Psychology (5 credits)
  • PSY 377 - Positive Psychology (5 credits)

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