Program Overview

Kinesiology Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)

The Kinesiology major prepares students for careers in physical activity and fitness/wellness, such as organizing, directing, or managing physical fitness programs, personal training, fitness instruction, exercise physiologist, strength and fitness coach, and fitness entrepreneur. The degree can also serve as preparation for applications to a master's level physical education teacher education program, medical school, a professional program in the allied health professions, or other graduate education.

Program Locations

• Corvallis
• Ecampus
• OSU-Cascades
  • Option available: Pre-Therapy and Allied Health

Major Code

840

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Describe the role of physical activity in health and wellness.
• Explain scientific concepts related to physical activity.
• Apply scientific concepts towards assessing, promoting, or enhancing physical health, fitness, or performance.
• Demonstrate skill in communication.
• Integrate principles of the physiologic responses to exercise, including the causes of these responses and their effector mechanisms.
• Describe issues of equity, inclusion, diversity, and social justice in relation to physical activity.

Course List

Kinesiology Core (38 credits)

Required Supporting Courses (33 credits)

• Select one of the following biology series: 15 credits
  • Series A
    • BI 231, BI 232, BI 233: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
    • BI 241, BI 242, BI 243: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY
  • Series B
    • BI 331, BI 332, BI 333: ADVANCED HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
    • BI 341, BI 342, BI 343: ADVANCED HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY
  • Series C
    • BI 254, BI 255, BI 256: PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
• CH 121 or CH 221Z & CH 227Z: +GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY I +*GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 5 credits
• CH 122 or CH 222Z & CH 228Z: *GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY II *GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 5 credits
• CH 123 or CH 223Z & CH 229Z: *GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY III *GENERAL CHEMISTRY III LABORATORY | 5 credits
• NUTR 240: HUMAN NUTRITION | 3 credits

KIN Beyond the Core (24 credits)

• Laboratory Courses: Select at least three lab courses from the following: 9-12 credits
  • KIN 325: FITNESS ASSESSMENT AND EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION
  • KIN 380: THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES (PTAH option only)
  • KIN 385: THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE (PTAH option only)
  • KIN 394: PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: RESISTANCE TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGN
  • KIN 395: PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: GROUP FITNESS
  • KIN 421: TECHNOLOGY IN SPORTS SCIENCE
  • KIN 423: QUALITATIVE MOVEMENT ANALYSIS
  • KIN 432: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT
  • KIN 444: ADVANCED ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
  • KIN 450: ADVANCED ANATOMICAL KINESIOLOGY
  • KIN 474: EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY LAB METHODS
• Experiential Learning: Select at least 3 credits from the following courses: 3 credits
  • KIN 393: POPULATION PROGRAMMING INTERNSHIP
  • KIN 401: RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP
  • KIN 406: PROJECTS
  • KIN 409: PRACTICUM
  • KIN 410: INTERNSHIP
  • KIN 493: KINESIOLOGY INTERNSHIP
• Other research, study abroad, or service-learning experiences with advisor approval
• Other Courses: Select 9-12 credits from the following courses or take additional laboratory courses, for a total of 24 credits in KIN Beyond the Core: 9-12 credits
  • KIN 280: +TALK, MOVE, THRIVE: COMMUNICATION FOR ACTIVE LIVING
  • KIN 360: INJURY MANAGEMENT FOR THE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE
  • KIN 371: EXERCISE MOTIVATION AND ADHERENCE
  • KIN 411: NEUROMUSCULAR CONTROL OF HUMAN MOVEMENT
  • KIN 422: FACILITATING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
  • KIN 434: APPLIED MUSCLE PHYSIOLOGY
  • KIN 435: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROMOTION
  • KIN 437: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AGING, AND CHRONIC DISEASE
  • KIN 462: ADVANCED MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
  • KIN 470: MENTAL SKILLS TRAINING
  • KIN 483: TISSUE INJURY AND REPAIR
  • KIN 490: SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY IN KINESIOLOGY

Grade Policy

Students in the Kinesiology major may not use S/U grading on any required course (including prerequisites for major required courses). However, Kinesiology students may use S/U grading for Core Ed courses and electives (including courses offered by their major or minor department), if not required for the major.

Repeated Courses Policy

Kinesiology students are allowed at most two attempts to meet individual course degree requirements. Students who do not receive the minimum grade required for a course after two attempts (including courses transferred from other institutions) will not be allowed to have grades earned in subsequent attempts count toward meeting Kinesiology degree requirements.

Pre-Therapy and Allied Health (PTAH) Option

Pre-Therapy and Allied Health is an option with admission standards that may be added to the major. Students may apply for admission to the PTAH option after completion of 90 credits. Requirements for admission can be found under the catalog listing for the PTAH option.

Total Credits

Total Credits: 180

Plan of Study

The plan of study is subject to change, and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them.

First Year

• Fall:
  • CH 121 or CH 221Z & CH 227Z: +GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY I +*GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 5 credits
  • KIN 131: INTRODUCTION TO KINESIOLOGY | 1 credit
  • Core Ed: Transitions | 2 credits
  • Core Ed: Quantitative Literacy & Analysis | 4 credits
  • Elective | 3 credits
• Winter:
  • CH 122 or CH 222Z & CH 228Z: *GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY II *GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 5 credits
  • KIN 193: +INTRODUCTION TO CAREERS IN KINESIOLOGY | 3 credits
  • WR 121Z: +*COMPOSITION I | 4 credits
  • Core Ed: Arts & Humanities General | 3-4 credits
• Spring:
  • CH 123 or CH 223Z & CH 229Z: *GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY III *GENERAL CHEMISTRY III LABORATORY | 5 credits
  • Core Ed: Arts & Humanities Global | 3-4 credits
  • Core Ed: Communication, Media & Society | 3-4 credits
  • Elective | 4 credits

Second Year

• Fall:
  • KIN 212: +*SOCIOCULTURAL DIMENSIONS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY | 4 credits
  • NUTR 240: HUMAN NUTRITION | 3 credits
  • Biology | 5 credits
  • Elective | 3 credits
• Winter:
  • KIN 214: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: ALL ABILITY | 3 credits
  • KIN 225: ANATOMICAL KINESIOLOGY | 3 credits
  • KIN 293 or KIN 295: +GET HIRED IN KINESIOLOGY or +PURSUE YOUR CAREER IN HEALTHCARE | 3 credits
  • Biology | 5 credits
• Spring:
  • KIN 270: FOUNDATIONS OF SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY | 3 credits
  • Biology | 5 credits
  • Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis | 4 credits
  • Core Ed: Social Science | 3-4 credits

Third Year

• Fall:
  • KIN 311: MOTOR LEARNING & SKILL ACQUISITION | 4 credits
  • KIN 324: EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | 4 credits
  • Core Ed: Writing Elevation | 3-4 credits
  • Elective | 4 credits
• Winter:
  • KIN 321: BIOMECHANICS OF HUMAN MOVEMENT | 4 credits
  • Core Ed: Seeking Solutions | 3-4 credits
  • Elective | 3 credits
  • Elective | 4 credits
• Spring:
  • KIN Beyond the Core | 3 credits
  • Elective | 4 credits
  • Elective | 4 credits
  • Elective | 4 credits

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • KIN 481: ^ANALYSIS OF CRITICAL ISSUES IN KINESIOLOGY | 3 credits
  • Experiential Learning | 3 credits
  • Lab Course | 3 credits
  • KIN Beyond the Core | 3 credits
  • Elective | 4 credits
• Winter:
  • KIN 475: +*POWER AND PRIVILEGE IN SPORT | 3 credits
  • Lab Course | 3 credits
  • KIN Beyond the Core | 3 credits
  • Elective | 3 credits
  • Elective | 3 credits
• Spring:
  • KIN Beyond the Core | 3 credits
  • Lab Course | 3 credits
  • Elective | 3 credits
  • Elective | 3 credits
  • Elective | 3 credits