Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Kinesiology - Pre-Physical Therapy, 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 Kate Kairoff 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.
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 309 - PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS OF AGING - KIN 311 - BIOMECHANICS
- KIN 312 - FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY
- One course 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 (6 credits)
OR
KIN 491 - FIELD EXPERIENCE (3 credits) and KIN 493 - EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCE RESEARCH (3 credits)
OR
KIN 491 - FIELD EXPERIENCE (3 credits) and KIN 494 - INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT (3 credits)
OR
KIN 471 - INTERNSHIP I and KIN 472 - INTERNSHIP II - Select 4 credits from: PE 101, 102, 103, 104, 108, 112, 113, 120, 122, 123, 132, 134, 136, 139, 144, 145, 148, 149, 157, 165, 167, 168, 169, 170, 175, 177
- Students should select 53 credits from the following list 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
*CSCI 101 - COMPUTERS AND APPLICATIONS
*CSCI 140 - PROGRAMMING FUNDAMENTALS IN C++
ENG 302 - INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL WRITING
*HLED 345 - HEALTH PROMOTION/DISEASE PREVENTION
*HLED 435 - WORKSITE HEALTH PROMOTION
KIN 409 - FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF OLDER ADULTS
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 - One course from:
KIN 307 - STATISTICS IN EXERCISE & SPORT SCIENCE
MATH 240 - INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS - One course from:
*KIN 414 - PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION
*HLED 350 – NUTRITION
* Students are advised not to select these courses if they have not declared their major yet, because they will soon be removed from the list of courses in the Pre-PT specialization.
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; PHYS 115, 116; CHEM 121, 122, 123, 251
SCI: PHYS 114
WP: KIN 422 is required for the major and also satisfies 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 Information:
Kate Kairoff
CV 102, 360-650-3505
Pre-Physical Therapy Advisors:
Gordon Chalmers
ET 275, 360-650-3113
Brandi Row
CV 24, 360-650-4277
David Suprak
CV 105, 360-650-2586
Transfer Credit Evaluator:
Brandi Row
Program Coordinator:
Gordon Chalmers
