The kinesiology major is great for students interested in the the physiology and psychology of human movement. By studying kinesiology, you will explore the interactions between muscles, bones, joints, and the nervous system, and learn how to apply this knowledge to improve movement.
Our undergraduate kinesiology program is a comprehensive, science-based degree that studies human movement across various dimensions. The curriculum allows for hands-on lab experiences, as well as developing students’ research, writing, and analysis skills. The kinesiology major prepares students for a wide variety of health careers. We're also located in a health and wellness hub that allows students to get experiences outside the classroom to support their future career.
This major combines principles from various areas to understand how the body moves and how it can be optimized for health and performance, including:
- Human anatomy: Gain in-depth knowledge of the body's structure and function, and learn how different systems work together to make the body move.
- Exercise physiology: Discover how exercise, health, and sports impact the body.
- Biomechanics: Know why the body moves the way it does
- Neuromotor control: Understand how the brain develops and controls the body's movements, as well as the psychological factors that influence physical activity.
- Sport and exercise psychology: Study how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors impact physical activity and sports.
- Sport sociology: Grasp how various communities impact, and are impacted by, sport participation.
The kinesiology curriculum coincides with pathway programs for students interested in physical therapy and occupational therapy. These pathway programs allow students to mold their undergraduate experience to support graduate school applications.
The kinesiology BS program provides students with skills in the physical, biological, and social sciences that are transferable to a wide range of careers:
- Physical therapist*
- Occupational therapist*
- Medical doctor
- Physician assistant
- Dentist
- Athletic trainer
- Cardiac rehabilitation specialist
- Sports medicine clinician
- Exercise physiologist
- And more
* Undergraduate pathway program available
Coursework in this major often fulfills prerequisites for graduate schools and health careers. Visit the University's Pre-Health Student Resource Center to understand the various health career pathways and prerequisites.
There are many career options that connect to a kinesiology degree beyond the ones listed. Once admitted to the major, students also have the support of CEHD Career Services. This unit helps students with resumes, exploring graduate school and career options, as well as finding job and internship opportunities.
Curriculum and coursework
The courses in the kinesiology BS program are divided into three general areas: Core courses, e
Core courses help students gain an in-depth and diverse understanding of physical activity and human movement. All kinesiology students are required to complete the following core courses, totaling 37 credits:
- KIN 1872 - Survey of Kinesiology, Physical Activity, Health Promotion, and Sport Management
- KIN 3027 - Human Anatomy for Kinesiology, Physical Activity, and Health Promotion
- KIN 3112 - Introduction to Biomechanics
- KIN 3126W - Sport and Exercise Psychology
- KIN 3131W - History and Philosophy of Sport
- KIN 3132 - Introduction to Motor Development Across the Lifespan
- KIN 3135 - Introduction to Motor Learning and Control
- KIN 3385 - Human Physiology
- KIN 3982 - Research Methods in Kinesiology, Physical Activity, Health Promotion, and Sport
- KIN 4385 - Exercise Physiology
- SMGT 3501 - Sport in a Diverse Society
These courses enhance the core courses, providing a greater understanding of kinesiology while supporting a student's individual interests. Kinesiology students take a total of 12 elective credits from an approved list, below are a few popular choices:
- KIN 3001 - Lifetime Health and Wellness
- KIN 3136 - Mental Skills Training for Sport
- KIN 3114 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
-
KIN 4441 - Movement Neuroscience
- KIN 5104 - Physical Activities for Persons with Disabilities
- KIN 5136 - Psychology of Coaching
Physical activity courses allow students to learn about movement and physical activity first-hand. Kinesiology students take a total of 5 credits of these courses from an approved list of over 60 options. Below are a few options that many students enjoy:
- Pickleball
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Marathon training
- Scuba and skin diving
- Self defense
- Rock climbing
- Bowling
Sample plans
Get a better picture of what your course schedule could look like by viewing a sample plan.
If you're considering a health career, you can look at some of the pre-health sample plans below:
Pre-physical therapy sample plan
Pre-occupational therapy sample plan
Pre-med/physician's assistant sample plan
#10
ranked kinesiology program
National Academy of Kinesiology
22
students in a lab course on average
#1
city for new graduates
New York Times
Student experiences and support
Inside the classroom
Within their coursework, students learn in a variety of ways. Class discussions and group work are common in the kinesiology major. Modern technology is also used to support learning.
Students are taught by world-renowned faculty who are committed to student success. Our faculty's expertise is diverse and will expose students to a variety of areas in the field.
Outside the classroom
Hands-on experiences are essential to support your long-term professional and educational goals. Students in the kinesiology bs program are encouraged to explore opportunities to volunteer, work, and potentially earn academic credit through research supervised by a faculty member.
Directed study gives undergraduate students the opportunity to work with faculty on human movement research. To get a better sense of the various research areas and labs in the School of Kinesiology, visit our research page. Some projects students have done in the past include:
- Rewarding good sportsmanship and reducing injury rates in youth football
- Examining body composition, bone density, and visceral adipose tissue in male and female NCAA Division I basketball players
- Assessing the link between nervous system sensitivity and motor skill expertise
- Using a robotic wrist exoskeleton to test the wrist position sense of participants
- Exploring before and after surgical modification of severe patellarmorphic dysfunction
Field experiences support our student's classroom learning and broaden their professional skills. Students are encouraged to explore opportunities with the support of their faculty, academic advisors, and career coaches. Some positions that our students have held in their field experiences include:
- Program counselor
- Athletic medicine intern
- Physical therapy aide
- Rehabilitation assistant
- Performance coach
- Personal care assistant
- Outpatient occupational therapy aide
There are over 1,000 student organizations on campus. Some common groups kinesiology students join include:
- Kinesiology Student Council
- Pre-Physical Therapy Club
- Pre-Occupational Therapy Club
View a full list of student organizations on the University's student group page.
Studying abroad is a great way to explore new areas of the world while earning academic credit. The School of Kinesiology's study abroad programs are related to health and wellness:
- Marketing and Sponsorship in German Sports
- Pillars of wellness in Sicily: Empowering minds, bodies, & emotions
There are many other opportunities through the Learning Abroad Center.
Quote from Brogan Comstock
“Kinesiology ended up being a small major, so you knew almost everyone in your classes. The faculty were extremely enthusiastic about what they were teaching, I do not think I ever had a negative experience in a kinesiology class. The environment was very sports based, which was fun because there was always a group going to a game or for a run or hitting the gym after class“
Quote from Sam and Michael Helgesen
"We liked the idea of attending a BIG 10 school, and when we toured the campus it just felt like the right place."
Quote from Eugenia Garza
“I got an Undergraduate Research Scholarship, and that was probably one of the most appealing parts of coming to the U – that I could do research and get paid for it.”