Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Kinesiology - Sport Psychology 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 sport psychology option provides students with the behavioral knowledge and educational techniques to enhance performance in recreational, exercise, and athletic settings. This option provides an emphasis in psychology and exercise science that will serve as preparation for coaching and as an adequate set of prerequisites for post-baccalaureate study in sport and/or exercise psychology.
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:
Math Pre-requisites
(or appropriate Math Placement Test Score)KIN 311: Completion of the Math GURs
Electives
MATH 240: Pre-requisite is MATH 112CHEM 121: Pre-requisite is MATH 114PHYS 114: Pre-requisite is MATH 115
Math Department Contact Information
(360) 650-3785http://www.wwu.edu/depts/math/
Math Placement Test Website
http://www.wwu.edu/assess/mathplace.shtml
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
- 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 420 - Seminar in Sport Psychology
- KIN 422 - Professional Issues in Health and Exercise Settings
- PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology
- PSY 210 - Cognition
- PSY 230 - Lifespan Developmental Psychology
- PSY 240 - Social Psychology
- PSY 250 - Introduction to Personality and Abnormal Psychology
- 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)
- KIN 493 - Exercise And Sport Science Research (3 credits)
- OR
- KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits)
- KIN 494 - Instructional Assistant (3 credits)
- OR
- KIN 471 - Internship I (3 credits)
- 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 one course under advisement from:
- PSY 119 - Psychology of Gender
- PSY 220 - Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
- KIN 304 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
- KIN 307 - Statistics in Exercise & Sport Science
- KIN 315 - Fitness Instruction and Leadership
- KIN 414 - Physical Activity and Nutrition
- KIN 415 - Physical Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription
- HLED 345 - Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or requirements.
- SSC: PSY 101
- BCGM: PSY 119 (elective)
- WP: KIN 422 is required for the major and also satisfies the three writing proficiency points required for graduation.
Sample Careers
- Athletic Coaching
- Wellness Coordinator
- Health Club Manager
- Personal Trainer
- Pharmaceutical Drug Sales
- Biomedical Research &/or Sales
- Fitness Product Sales
- Athletic Trainer*
- Graduate School in Kinesiology*
