Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Kinesiology - Pre-Physical Therapy 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, nursing, 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 pre-physical therapy option is available for students who wish to pursue graduate study in a physical therapy program. 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.
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 112
CHEM 121: Pre-requisite is MATH 114
PHYS 114: Pre-requisite is MATH 115
Math Department Contact Information
(360) 650-3785
Math Placement Test Website
Coursework
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BIOL 348 - Human Anatomy and Physiology
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KIN 301 - Survey of Kinesiology, Physical Education and Health
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KIN 306 - Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology
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One course from:
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KIN 308 - Human Growth and Motor Development
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KIN 409 - Aging and Functional Assessments
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KIN 311 - Biomechanics
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KIN 312 - Functional Anatomy
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One course from:
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KIN 320 - Psychology of Sport
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KIN 321 - Sociology of Sport
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KIN 323 - Olympism and the Modern Olympic Games
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KIN 410 - Motor Control and Learning
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KIN 413 - Physiology of Exercise
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KIN 416 - Strength and Conditioning Program Design
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KIN 422 - Professional Issues in Health and Exercise Settings
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Choose one of the following options:
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KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits) and
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KIN 492 - Field Experience II (3 credits)
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OR
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KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits)
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KIN 493 - Exercise And Sport Science Research (3 credits)
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OR
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KIN 491 - Field Experience I (3 credits)
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KIN 494 - Instructional Assistant (3 credits)
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OR
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KIN 471 - Internship I (3 credits)
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KIN 472 - Internship II (12 credits)
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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
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Students should select 53 credits if they complete the field experience option, or 45 credits if they complete the internship option.
- BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity
- BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
- BIOL 206 - Introduction to Organismal Biology
- BIOL 245 - Microbiology for Health Sciences
- BIOL 349 - Human Physiology
- CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I
- CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II
- CHEM 123 - General Chemistry III
- CHEM 251 - Elementary Organic Chemistry
- ENG 302 - Introduction to Technical and Professional Writing
- KIN 409 - Aging and Functional Assessments
- PHYS 114 - Principles of Physics I
- PHYS 115 - Principles of Physics II
- PHYS 116 - Principles of Physics III
- PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology
- PSY 230 - Lifespan Developmental Psychology
- PSY 250 - Introduction to Personality and Abnormal Psychology
- Up to one course from (none required):
- KIN 307 - Statistics in Exercise & Sport Science
- MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics
GURs:
These courses are electives within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR requirements.
- QSR: MATH 240
- SSC: PSY 101
- LSCI: BIOL 204, 205, 206;
- CHEM: 121, 122, 123, 251
- PHYS: 115, 116
- SCI: PHYS 114
- WP: KIN 422 is required for the major and alssatisfies the three writing proficiency points required for graduation.
Sample Careers
This specialization is ideally designed to prepare students to apply to Physical Therapy School.
Additional Career Options Exist
- 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
Pre-Physical Therapy Specialization Advisors
Gordon Chalmers
ET 275, 360-650-3113
David Suprak
CV 105, 360-650-2586
Program Coordinator
Gordon Chalmers