The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology offers two options: the fitness and wellness option and the physical education teacher education option. You gain hands-on experience with contemporary equipment and technology while learning in state-of-the-art exercise physiology, biomechanics, pedagogy, adapted physical education, human anatomy, and strength and conditioning lab spaces.
In the fitness and wellness option, you prepare for careers in personal training, corporate fitness, graduate school, and other fields related to fitness, health, and wellness.
The physical education teacher education (PETE) option is a subject matter preparation program for obtaining a teaching credential to teach physical education in K–12 schools.
Advising Requirement
Advising is mandatory for this program. Consult your department advisor or program coordinator for information.
Please meet with your major advisor at least once per semester to ensure you are making timely progress towards your degree. Students wishing to change to a major within the Kinesiology Department should consult with a Kinesiology Department major advisor or the College of Communication and Education Student Success Center.
E-advising Tools
Use the interactive e-advising tools designed to help students graduate within four years. These tools can be accessed through the Student Center in the Portal.
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.
Some courses require a minimum grade to progress in the program. Minimum grade requirements, including those listed on course requisites, are considered graduation requirements.
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.
Standard first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification are graduation requirements.
Completion of this option satisfies all requirements for subject matter competency in physical education for students pursuing a single subject teaching credential, provided GPA standards are met (2.67 cumulative, or 2.75 in the major). Elective courses, including ENGL 471, EDTE 302, and EDTE 451, are recommended for students applying to the Chico State Single Subject Teaching Credential program. 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 Added Authorization: 21 units
To complete the added authorization in adapted physical education, students must obtain or be working toward a credential that authorizes them to teach physical education. The added authorization allows future physical education teachers to serve as adapted physical education teachers. These courses can be taken in addition to the option in physical education teacher education but are not required for that option or the kinesiology degree.
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. Consult with an advisor to help select courses that provide breadth to your University experience and possibly help satisfy credential, professional, or graduate school prerequisites or support completion of a minor.
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: 43 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
American Institutions Course Requirements: 6 units
The American Institutions graduation requirement, as mandated in Title 5, Section 40404, requires that students satisfactorily complete courses in United States history, the US Constitution, and government and American ideals (including California state and local government). At Chico State, HIST 130 meets the US history requirement (US-1), and POLS 155 meets the US Constitution and government requirement (US-2) and the California state and local government requirement (US-3). POLS 155 also fulfills three units of GE Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences. See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for more information.
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. Many courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) requires you to take four Writing (W) courses, two of which are upper-division courses designated for your major. Specifically, you must:
Take one Writing (W) course.
Take one Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course.
Complete a GE English Composition (1A) course before taking the GW course.
Earn a grade of C- or higher to receive GW credit.
See Writing and Math Requirements for details on additional writing requirements you need to complete for graduation.
Major-Designated Courses
Writing (W) Course
Any upper-division Writing (W) course
GWAR (GW) Course
KINE 320W Foundations of Exercise and Sport Psychology (W)
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are clear, measurable statements that describe how students demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and values of the discipline as appropriate to the degree. Graduates of this program are expected to achieve the following PLOs:
Content Knowledge: Apply core concepts in kinesiology to describe and explain human movement.
Communication: Use effective verbal and nonverbal strategies to communicate knowledge of kinesiology within and beyond the classroom.
Reflection and Critical Thinking: Demonstrate reflection and critical thinking when evaluating, interpreting, and synthesizing information.
Programming and Assessment: Design, implement, and evaluate programming using evidence-based practices.
Professionalism and Ethics: Demonstrate professional and ethical practices, within and beyond the classroom, through inclusive, collaborative, and service-oriented behaviors.
Value of Physical Activity: Articulate the importance of physical activity for health, well-being, and lifelong development in personal and professional settings.
