Kinesiology BA
Total Units Required: 120
The Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology offers two academic options. Students learn in state-of-the-art labs in exercise physiology, biomechanics, pedagogy, adapted physical education, human anatomy, and strength and conditioning.
The option in physical education teacher education. This option prepares students to teach physical education in grades K-12.
The option in movement studies. This option prepares students for careers in personal training, coaching for youth through high-school-aged athletes, and other fields related to fitness and wellness.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Course Requirements for the Major: 52-65 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
Basic computer literacy skills are required for the option in physical education teacher education and the option in outdoor education. The requirement may be met through select college courses (UNIV 101) or through prior experience.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| BIOL 104 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| KINE 320W | Foundations of Exercise and Sport Psychology (W) | 3 |
| Major Option | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 45-58 | |
| Total Units | 52-65 | |
Major Option Course Requirements
Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.
The Option in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE): 49 units
Standard first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification are required.
Basic computer literacy skills are required. The requirement may be met through select college courses (e.g. UNIV 101) or through prior experience.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ||
| KINE 105 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 1 |
| KINE 305 | Philosophy of School Based Teaching Physical Education | 3 |
| KINE 306 | Net Games & Self-defense for Teachers | 3 |
| KINE 308 | Rhythms and Dance for Teachers | 3 |
| KINE 309 | Developmentally Appropriate Physical Education for Children | 3 |
| KINE 312 | Outdoor Education for Teachers | 3 |
| KINE 315 | Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity | 3 |
| KINE 321 | Motor Development and Behavior | 3 |
| KINE 322 | Biomechanics | 4 |
| KINE 323 | Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| KINE 335 | Youth Fitness | 3 |
| KINE 410 | Developmentally Appropriate Physical Education for Middle School Students | 3 |
| KINE 411 | Assessment in Physical Education | 3 |
| KINE 484 | Developmentally Appropriate Physical Education for High School Students | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Human Anatomy | ||
| Structural and Anatomical Kinesiology | ||
| Activity Breadth | ||
| Select three units of activity breadth courses 1 | 3 | |
| Total Units | 49 | |
- 1
Select activity breadth courses such as: (KINE 113 - KINE 195).
Additional Information
This option satisfies all requirements for subject matter competency in physical education for students pursuing a single subject teaching credential after completing the option in PETE, providing GPA standards are met (2.67 cumulative, or 2.75 in the major). For students applying to the Single Subject Teaching Credential program at California State University, Chico, it is recommended that elective courses include ENGL 471, EDTE 302, and EDTE 451. Consult with a Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) advisor early for specific requirements and suggested electives that lead to supplementary authorizations to teach additional subjects in the state of California.
Optional Adapted Physical Education Specialist Credential: 21 units
In order to complete the specialist credential in adapted physical education, students must obtain or be working toward a credential that authorizes them to teach physical education. This credential allows future physical education teachers to instruct individuals with disabilities in the public schools. These courses may be taken in addition to the option in teacher education program, but are not required for that option or degree.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| KINE 315 | Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity | 3 |
| KINE 513 | Programming in Disability Sport | 3 |
| KINE 514 | Programming for Intellectual, Neurological, and Learning Disabilities | 3 |
| KINE 515 | Collaboration in Adapted Physical Education | 3 |
| KINE 516 | Motor Assessment for Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| KINE 520 | Interdisciplinary Autism Clinic | 3 |
| KINE 617 | Fieldwork in Adapted Physical Education | 3 |
| Total Units | 21 | |
The Option in Movement Studies: 45-56 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-Division Activity Breadth Courses: | ||
| KINE 105 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Human Anatomy | ||
| Structural and Anatomical Kinesiology | ||
| Select five courses from five of the seven groups below for no more than 10 units: | 5-10 | |
Aquatics: | ||
| Beginning Scuba Diving | ||
| Beginning Swimming | ||
| Lifeguard Training | ||
| Aquatics for the Adapted Instructor | ||
Dance, Tumbling, or Gymnastics: | ||
| Beginning Ballroom | ||
| Beginning Ballroom | ||
| Intermediate Ballroom | ||
| Intermediate Ballroom | ||
| Introduction to Dance | ||
| African and Afro-Caribbean Dance | ||
Individual or Dual: | ||
| Beginning Golf | ||
| Intermediate Golf | ||
| Beginning Tennis | ||
| Intermediate Tennis | ||
Outdoor Education/Recreation: | ||
| Cycling | ||
| Backpacking | ||
| Indoor Rock Climbing | ||
Personal Defense or Combatives: | ||
| Jujitsu and Self-Defense | ||
| Intermediate Jujitsu and Self-Defense | ||
| Aikido | ||
| Tai-Chi Chuan | ||
| Mixed Martial Arts | ||
Team Sports: | ||
| Beginning Basketball | ||
| Intermediate Basketball | ||
| Flag Football | ||
| Beginning Soccer | ||
| Intermediate Soccer | ||
| Beginning Volleyball | ||
| Intermediate Volleyball | ||
Weight Training or Fitness: | ||
| Cardio Conditioning Mix | ||
| Beginning Weight Training | ||
| Intermediate Weight Training | ||
| Beginning Weight Training: Women | ||
| Core Strengthening | ||
| Yoga | ||
| Intermediate Yoga | ||
| Mat Pilates | ||
| Upper-Division Courses | ||
| KINE 321 | Motor Development and Behavior | 3 |
| KINE 322 | Biomechanics | 4 |
| KINE 323 | Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| KINE 390 | Principles of Strength and Conditioning | 3 |
| KINE 489 | Internship Seminar | 3 |
| Advising Pattern Course Requirements | ||
| The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required depending upon the advising pattern chosen. Select one of the following patterns: | 18-24 | |
| Total Units | 45-56 | |
Coaching and Administration Pattern: 24 units
Students wishing to pursue a career in coaching with any degree should consult a Kinesiology advisor. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) requires all individuals to acquire coaching certification. CIF has approved this pattern, and individuals who satisfactorily complete the coursework should fulfill the CIF requirements to become a certified coach. See your advisor to discuss career plans and appropriate selection of courses.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| KINE 314 | Psychology of Coaching | 3 |
| KINE 331 | Principles of Team Sports | 3 |
| KINE 332 | Principles of Individual Sports | 3 |
| KINE 345 | Motor Learning and Human Performance | 3 |
| KINE/SOCI 346 | Sport and Society | 3 |
| KINE 430 | Administration and Management of Sport and Fitness Programs | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| World Sports and Games | ||
| Principles of Sports Injury Management | ||
| Youth Fitness | ||
| Personal Training | ||
| Exercise Behavior and Adherence | ||
| Biomechanical Analysis | ||
| Advanced Principles of Strength and Conditioning | ||
| Total Units | 24 | |
Fitness and Wellness Pattern: 18 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| KINE 345 | Motor Learning and Human Performance | 3 |
| KINE 480 | Exercise Testing and Prescription | 3 |
| KINE 505 | Exercise Behavior and Adherence | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| World Sports and Games | ||
| Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity | ||
| Principles of Sports Injury Management | ||
| Youth Fitness | ||
| Sport and Society | ||
| Physical Activity Epidemiology | ||
| Exercise Pathophysiology | ||
| Seminar in Sports Medicine | ||
| Advanced Principles of Strength and Conditioning | ||
| Total Units | 18 | |
The Option in Outdoor Education: 58 units
Admission to the outdoor education option is currently suspended. Please contact the Kinesiology Department for more information.
Basic computer literacy skills are required. The requirement may be met through select college courses (e.g. UNIV 101) or through prior experience.
Wilderness First Responder certification is a requirement for graduation with this degree. Please see the coordinator of the outdoor education program for a list of accepted WFR providers.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ||
| BIOL 334 | Conservation Ecology | 3 |
| KINE 222 | Challenge Quest | 3 |
| KINE 224 | Methods of Teaching Rock Climbing | 3 |
| KINE 226 | Methods of Teaching Wilderness Living | 4 |
| KINE 227 | Winter and the Mountain | 4 |
| KINE 228 | Methods of Teaching Canoeing and Kayaking | 3 |
| KINE 460 | Foundations of Outdoor Education | 3 |
| RHPM 240 | Outdoor Recreation Management | 3 |
| RHPM 428 | Legal Principles of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management | 3 |
| RHPM/EDCI 448 | Environmental Education | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity | ||
| Recreation Therapy and Inclusion (W) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Biomechanics | ||
| Exercise Physiology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Theory of Outdoor Leadership | ||
| Leadership and Supervision | ||
| Professional Development | ||
| KINE 470 | Outdoor Education Immersion Semester 1 | 15 |
| KINE 489L | Assistant Leadership Seminar | 1 |
| Total Units | 58 | |
- 1
The Immersion Semester may not be the right choice for all students. In these cases a student may select a total of 15 units from courses related to the profession with prior approval of their advisor.
Electives Requirement
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires six units of honors coursework completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:
- You must take six units of Honors in the Major coursework. All six units are honors courses (marked by a suffix of H), and at least three of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each course with a minimum grade of B.
- You must have completed 9 units of upper-division coursework or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
- Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the six units of coursework over the two semesters of their senior year.
- Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
Honors in the Major is not part of the Honors Program. Each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 48 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
- Any upper-division Writing (W) course
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (EO 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.