Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Kinesiology - Movement Studies Specialization, BS
What Is the Study of Kinesiology?
This major provides a concentrated study of human movement from mechanical, physiological and pathological perspectives. The program is appropriate for students who plan to work in the fitness/exercise industry or any other field such as coaching or rehabilitation, where human movement and exercise prescription are the focus. Additionally, this degree can serve as the gateway degree 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, physical therapy, sport psychology, nutrition, and human growth and motor development. Supporting courses from biology, chemistry, computer science, communications, health education and physics are included to provide more in-depth analysis of principles associated with human structure and function.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
The movement studies specialization is recommended for students who wish to pursue a variety of career opportunities related to kinesiology (see sample career list). Students should seek advising to determine the appropriate set of courses leading to a specialized emphasis.
How to Declare:
Contact Sherena Geariety in the PEHR department to obtain advisor assignment and, after meeting with the departmental advisor, to declare a major in your specialization.
Advising Tips: Students are advised to declare the kinesiology major early in order to be connected with a departmental advisor and develop a plan of study. See departmental advisor for selection of courses. Students may request to be advised by another KIN/PE program faculty member. To request a new advisor, contact the faculty member you would like to be advised by and ask that person to be your advisor.
Registration: To determine if you can register for a PE, KIN or HLED course in Phase I or Phase II, obtain a “Class Access” document from the Kinesiology and Physical Education Program website.
Other Information about this Major:
Major Advising Information
Math Pre-requisites
(or appropriate Math Placement Test Score)
KIN 311: Completion of the Math GURs
Electives
MATH 240: Pre-requisite is MATH 112
CHEM 121: Pre-requisite is MATH 114
PHYS 114: Pre-requisite is MATH 115
Math Department Contact Information
(360) 650-3785
http://www.wwu.edu/depts/math/
Math Placement Test Website
Coursework
- BIOL 348 - Human Anatomy and Physiology
- KIN 301 - Survey of Kinesiology, Physical Education and Health
- KIN 306 - Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology
- One course from:
- KIN 308 - Human Growth and Motor Development
- KIN 409 - Aging and Functional Assessments
- KIN 311 - Biomechanics
- KIN 312 - Functional Anatomy
- 3 credits from:
- KIN 320 - Psychology of Sport
- KIN 321 - Sociology of Sport
- KIN 323 - Olympism and the Modern Olympic Games
- KIN 410 - Motor Control and Learning
- KIN 413 - Physiology of Exercise
- KIN 416 - Strength and Conditioning Program Design
- KIN 422 - Professional Issues in Health and Exercise Settings
- Choose one of the following options:
- KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits) and
- KIN 492 - Field Experience II (3 credits)
- OR
- KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits) and
- KIN 493 - Exercise And Sport Science Research (3 credits)
- OR
- KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits) and
- KIN 494 - Instructional Assistant (3 credits)
- OR
- KIN 471 - Internship I (3 credits) and
- KIN 472 - Internship II (12 credits)
- Select 4 credits from:
- PE 101, 102, 103, 104, 108, 120, 122, 123, 132, 134, 136, 139, 144, 145, 149, 157, 165, 167, 168, 169
- Select a minimum of 35 credits:
- A. Select at least 20 credits from:
- BIOL 349 - Human Physiology
- HLED 345 - Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
- HLED 350 - Nutrition
- KIN 304 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
- KIN 315 - Fitness Instruction and Leadership
- KIN 414 - Physical Activity and Nutrition
- KIN 415 - Physical Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription
- KIN 435 - Worksite Health Promotion
- Up to one course from (none required):
- KIN 307 - Statistics in Exercise & Sport Science
- MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics
- Up to one course from (none required):
- KIN 308 - Human Growth and Motor Development
- KIN 409 - Aging and Functional Assessments
- Up to one course from (none required):
- KIN 320 - Psychology of Sport
- KIN 321 - Sociology of Sport
- B. A maximum of 15 credits may be selected from:
- CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I
- CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II
- CHEM 123 - General Chemistry III
- CHEM 251 - Elementary Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 375 - Elements of Biochemistry
- COMM 244 - Advocacy Through Media
- COMM 318 - Professional Communication
- COMM 325 - Introduction to Intercultural Communication
- COMM 327 - Interpersonal Communication
- COMM 416 - Topics in Communication
- CSCI 101 - Computers and Applications
- CSCI 140 - Programming Fundamentals in C++
- ENG 302 - Introduction to Technical and Professional Writing
- PHYS 114 - Principles of Physics I
- PHYS 115 - Principles of Physics II
- PHYS 116 - Principles of Physics III
- PSY 220 - Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
- PSY 230 - Lifespan Developmental Psychology
- PSY 250 - Introduction to Personality and Abnormal Psychology
NOTE: KIN 308, KIN 309, KIN 320, and KIN 321 cannot be counted twice
GURs:
These courses are electives within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR requirements.
- QSR: CSCI 140; MATH 240
- LSCI: CHEM 121, 122, 123, 251
- PHYS: 115, 116
- SCI: PHYS 114
- WP: KIN 422 is required for the major and also satisfies the three writing proficiency points required for graduation.
Sample Careers
- Wellness Coordinator
- Health Club Manager
- Personal Trainer
- Pharmaceutical Drug Sales
- Biomedical Research &/or Sales
- Fitness Product Sales
- Athletic Trainer*
- Nutrition Specialist*
- Graduate School in Kinesiology*
*with post-baccalaureate study
Department
Contact
General Kinesiology Information
Sherena Geariety
CV 102, 360-650-3505
Movement Studies Advisors
Gordon Chalmers
ET 275, 360-650-3113
David Suprak
CV 105, 360-650-2586
Program Coordinator
Gordon Chalmers