Kinesiology

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Kinesiology professors stand on playmats and pose with equipment in the Autism Clinic.

Insight

Kinesiology is an integrative discipline that promotes lifelong learning and participation in human movement to enhance quality for all through sport, exercise, and physical activity. The Department of Kinesiology offers innovative and engaging instruction, scholarship, and professional service through its three degree programs: a BS in exercise physiology, a BA in kinesiology, and an MA in kinesiology.

These programs are especially fulfilling for students who have a passion for helping others and are interested in promoting physical activity and its impact on health, wellness, society, and quality of life. Students study human movement and how the body functions during physical activity and exercise in a wide variety of settings, including athletic fields, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and research labs.

Coursework includes topics such as exercise physiology, sport and exercise psychology, physical education teacher education, adapted physical education, coaching, strength and conditioning, biomechanics, and pre-professional training for allied health (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, nursing, medicine, etc.).

Experience

Aside from access to the Northern California outdoors, dedicated on-campus space inside Yolo Hall includes laboratories for adapted physical education, biomechanics, exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, adapted physical activity, and pedagogy. Other instructional facilities include dance studios, a climbing wall, a ropes course, two gymnasiums, tennis courts, outdoor track, weight training/fitness rooms, golf, soccer, and multipurpose fields.

Students participate in service learning and internship experiences to prepare them for future work in a variety of movement-related professions. Many of our students engage with the Adapted Physical Education Program which serves over 150 community members through two service-learning programs, BE:WEL and the Autism Clinic. These programs, particularly the Autism Clinic, continue to broaden students’ community and campus impact through neurodiversity initiatives, expanding existing student support services, and grant and research work.

Connections with peers and professionals happen through a variety of student clubs including the Exercise Physiology Majors Club and the Physical Education/Adapted Physical Education Teacher Education Club. These clubs assist students in building connections, honing leadership skills, engaging with healthcare and fitness professionals, and acquiring the expertise needed to excel in future careers or graduate school.

Outlook

The BA in kinesiology prepares students to become professionals in the fields of physical education, sports coaching, personal training, fitness and wellness, strength and conditioning, and adapted physical activity. Our physical education and adapted physical education students are well-prepared for a teaching credential program, and our credentialed graduates are highly employable in California!

One of the primary goals of the BS in exercise physiology program is to prepare students for graduate education in a variety of allied health professions (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, respiratory therapist, corporate fitness nursing, etc.).

Graduates of the master’s program fill the need for researchers, teachers, coaches, health professionals, and community recreation leaders. Recent graduates have gone on to medical schools, physician assistant programs, physical therapy programs, occupational therapy programs, teaching credential programs, and PhD granting universities.

Programs

Undergraduate

Bachelor's

Minors

Certificates

Credentials

Graduate

Master's