Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Kinesiology - Health and Fitness Specialist 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?
Health and fitness specialist professionals work in the health and fitness industry. The program prepares professionals who are skilled in evaluating health behaviors and risk factors, conducting fitness assessments, writing appropriate exercise prescriptions, and motivating individuals to modify negative health habits and maintain positive lifestyle behaviors for optimal health. Health and fitness specialists conduct these activities in the university, clinical, corporate, and commercial or community settings where their clients participate in health promotion and fitness-related activities. This specialization is also appropriate preparation for graduate study in exercise physiology and cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation.
How to Declare:
Contact the Kinesiology-Health and Fitness Specialist Advisor, Lorrie Brilla, to declare the major and develop a plan of study. To explore other Kinesiology specializations, contact Sherena Geariety to be connected with an advisor.
Advising Tips: Students are advised to declare the kinesiology major as early as possible in order to be connected with a departmental advisor and develop a plan of study.
See departmental advisor, Lorrie Brilla, for selection of courses. Students may request to be advised by another KIN/PE program faculty member. To request a new advisor, contact faculty member you would like to be advised by and ask that person to serve as 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 304 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
- KIN 306 - Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology
- KIN 308 - Human Growth and Motor Development
- KIN 311 - Biomechanics
- KIN 312 - Functional Anatomy
- KIN 320 - Psychology of Sport
- KIN 409 - Aging and Functional Assessments
- KIN 410 - Motor Control and Learning
- KIN 413 - Physiology of Exercise
- KIN 414 - Physical Activity and Nutrition
- KIN 415 - Physical Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription
- 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 21 credits from the sections below:
- A. Select at least 6 credits from:
- BIOL 349 - Human Physiology
- HLED 345 - Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
- HLED 350 - Nutrition
- KIN 315 - Fitness Instruction and Leadership
- KIN 321 - Sociology of Sport
- KIN 435 - Worksite Health Promotion
- Up to one course from (none required):
- KIN 307 - Statistics in Exercise & Sport Science
- OR
- MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics
- KIN 307 - Statistics in Exercise & Sport Science
- B. Select a maximum of 15 credits 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
- A. Select at least 6 credits from:
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
This specialization is ideally designed for careers promoting health and fitness.
- Wellness Coordinator
- Health Club Manager
- Personal Trainer
Additional Career Options
- Fitness Product Sales
- Pharmaceutical Drug Sales
- Biomedical Research &/or 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
Health and Fitness Specialist
Lorrie Brilla
CV 26, 360-650-3056
Lorrie.Brilla@wwu.edu
Program Coordinator
Gordon Chalmers
ET 275, 360-650-3113
Gordon.Chalmers@wwu.edu