Program Overview

Introduction to the Kinesiology Program

The Kinesiology major 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 the allied health professions (i.e., physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant) or preparation for post-baccalaureate study in other areas such as exercise physiology, health/fitness, biomechanics, nutrition, and human growth and motor development.

Why Consider a Pre-Healthcare Professions Specialization in the Kinesiology Major?

The pre-healthcare professions option is available for students who wish to pursue post-baccalaureate study in a healthcare profession such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, nursing, naturopathy, or chiropractic. Students meet with an advisor to select a set of courses that will meet the admission requirements of their program(s) of choice. This option also can serve as a foundation for graduate study in exercise science.

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:
  • Nursing*
  • Occupational Therapy*
  • Physician Assistant*
  • Naturopathic Medicine*
  • Chiropractic Medicine*
  • Wellness Coordinator
  • Health Club Manager
  • Personal Trainer
  • Fitness Product Sales
  • Pharmaceutical Drug Sales
  • Biomedical Research &/or Sales
  • Athletic Trainer*
  • Nutrition Specialist*
  • Graduate School in Kinesiology* *with post-baccalaureate study

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:
   • Applications from one student to multiple Kinesiology specializations are not permitted.
   • 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.
   • 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.
   • Admission to each specialization will be determined on a space-available basis after ranking candidates by GPA, from high to low.
   • The application to the Kinesiology major is submitted via a link on the Kinesiology program website.
   • 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.
2. Student applicants are notified of the outcome of their application as soon as possible after the application deadline, well in advance of the registration phase I for the subsequent quarter.
3. Students admitted to the major are assigned to a program academic advisor and are required to meet with the advisor to make a plan of study.
4. If a student is denied entry into a Kinesiology major specialization, the student may apply again the next quarter to the same specialization.
5. If a student is denied entry into the Kinesiology major, the student may apply again to a different specialization after a delay of one quarter.
6. Once admitted to a specialization, a student wishing to change to a different specialization must apply for admission to the new specialization following the deadlines for application, and can do so while continuing in the present specialization.

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 (101 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 416 - Strength and Conditioning Program Design (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) and KIN 492 - Field Experience II (Credits: 3)
  • OR
  • KIN 491 - Field Experience I (Credits: 3) and KIN 493 - Exercise And Sport Science Research (Credits: 3)
  • OR
  • KIN 491 - Field Experience I (Credits: 3) and KIN 494 - Instructional Assistant (Credits: 3)
  • OR
  • KIN 472 - Internship II (Credits: 12)
• 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)
• Students should select 54 credits if they complete the field experience option, or 48 credits if they complete the internship option.
• ANTH 201 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Credits: 5)
• ANTH 215 - Introductory Biological Anthropology (Credits: 5)
• BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity w/lab (Credits: 5)
• BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology w/lab (Credits: 5)
• BIOL 206 - Introduction to Organismal Biology w/lab (Credits: 5)
• BIOL 245 - Microbiology for Health Sciences w/lab (Credits: 5)
• BIOL 349 - Human Physiology w/lab (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 351 - Organic Chemistry (Credits: 4)
• CHEM 352 - Organic Chemistry (Credits: 4)
• CHEM 353 - Organic Chemistry (Credits: 4)
• CHEM 354 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (Credits: 3)
• CHEM 356 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II for Life Sciences (Credits: 2)
• CHEM 375 - Elements of Biochemistry (Credits: 4)
• COMM 319 - Health Communication (Credits: 5)
• ENG 302 - Technical Writing (Credits: 5)
• HLED 335 - Environmental Health (Credits: 5)
• HLED 345 - Health Promotion/Disease Prevention (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 421 - Psychology of Exercise (Credits: 3)
• PHYS 101 - Physics Analysis (Credits: 4)
• 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 101 - Introduction to Psychology (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)
• Up to one course from (none required):
  • HLED 350 - Nutrition (Credits: 5)
  • KIN 414 - Physical Activity and Nutrition (Credits: 3)

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