BS in Kinesiology
53-74 units
Mission
In the Department of Kinesiology, we believe that exercise, movement, and sport help people thrive by improving health, fitness, and quality of life across the lifespan.
Our mission in the BS in Kinesiology program is to shape difference makers who care for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—through the promotion of scholarship and professional practice in the disciplines of kinesiology. To achieve our mission, we equip lifelong learners who are academically engaged, relationally focused, vocationally aware, and wellness-oriented using approaches that are discipline-based and grounded within a Christian worldview.
The BS in Kinesiology program provides strong foundational knowledge and skills related to the science and practical applications of human movement. The program provides excellent preparation for a variety of careers related to exercise, sports, rehabilitation, and health care. To help students achieve their academic and professional goals, the program offers four concentrations:
Clinical Exercise Science
This concentration prepares students for graduate study and careers in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, chiropractic, physician assistance, and other allied health fields. The curriculum provides a strong scientific foundation and opportunities to complete prerequisite coursework for admission to graduate programs. Students complete 100 hours of supervised internship experience at one of more than 80 approved sites.
Note: Many graduate school programs require the completion of prerequisite science courses for acceptance. While the health professions concentration is designed to help students complete their graduate school prerequisites, not all graduate school prerequisites may be met by the concentration. Students are responsible for researching the requirements of graduate programs and professions in which they are interested.
See the coursework requirements for the clinical exercise science concentration below.
Applied Exercise Science (AES)
The AES concentration prepares students for careers in fitness centers, strength and conditioning programs, corporate wellness centers, and several allied health professions. This concentration offers flexible elective options that allow students to explore areas of interest, pursue a minor, or complete prerequisites for graduate program admission. Through applied, hands-on coursework, students develop the ability to assess, design, and implement evidence-based exercise programs that promote health, improve fitness, and enhance sports performance. Students complete 100 hours of supervised internship experience at one of more than 80 approved sites.
Note: Many graduate school programs require the completion of prerequisite courses for acceptance. While the AES concentration allows elective coursework, which can be used to complete graduate school prerequisites, not all graduate school prerequisites may be met by the concentration. Students are responsible for researching the requirements of graduate programs and professions in which they are interested.
See the coursework requirements for the applied exercise science concentration below.
Strength and Conditioning
This concentration prepares students for careers in sport science, human performance, and related fields. Coursework includes strength and conditioning, exercise physiology, biomechanics, sports nutrition, and research in exercise science. Through these experiences, students learn to design and implement evidence-based training programs that enhance athletic performance. Students complete 300 hours of supervised field experience under the guidance of CSCS-certified professionals in strength and conditioning settings. This concentration is for students interested in working with athletes and active populations in sport, performance, tactical, and rehabilitation settings. Graduates are prepared for the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification.
See the coursework requirements for the strength and conditioning concentration below.
BS in Kinesiology/Doctor of Physical Therapy Accelerated Concentration
This accelerated concentration prepares students for entry into APU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program after 3.5 years of undergraduate study. During the spring semester of their fourth year, qualified students complete 18 units of required DPT courses that apply toward the BS in Kinesiology and APU’s undergraduate graduation requirements. Upon successful completion of this term, students are awarded the BS in Kinesiology and continue in the DPT program. Admission to the DPT program is competitive, and students must meet all requirements for acceptance.
Note: Participating in this accelerated concentration does not guarantee admission to APU’s DPT program. Students must meet the DPT program’s admission requirements prior to beginning DPT coursework in the spring semester of the fourth year of the accelerated concentration.
See the course requirements for the BS in Kinesiology/DPT accelerated concentration below.
Requirements
In addition to meeting the coursework and graduation requirements of the BS in Kinesiology program, all undergraduate students are required to meet Azusa Pacific University’s General Education requirements. Students should visit the APU Core general education section of this catalog to become familiar with the requirements.
All students must earn a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all university coursework attempted, including all required BS in Kinesiology courses.
For students to progress through the BS in Kinesiology curriculum, they must earn a grade of C- or higher in each required course in the major.
Students are allowed two opportunities to repeat a required course in the major. Students who do not earn a C- or higher in a required course in the major after three attempts will be removed from the major (this policy includes late withdrawals).
Only two required courses within the major can be repeated. Students who earn below a C- in any three required courses in the major will be removed from the major (this policy includes late withdrawals).
Clinical Exercise Science Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology | ||
| KIN 102 | Foundations of Kinesiology | 3 |
| KIN 241 | Writing in Kinesiology | 2 |
| KIN 270 | Human Motor Control, Learning, and Development | 3 |
| KIN 275 | Biomechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
| KIN 360 | Nutrition for Exercise and Sport Science | 3 |
| KIN 363 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| KIN 364 | Kinesiology | 4 |
| KIN 473 | Fitness and Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| KIN 490 | Research Methods in Kinesiology | 3 |
| KIN 495 | Internship in Kinesiology 1 | 2 |
| Kinesiology Electives | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries | ||
| Corrective Exercise Strategies | ||
| Strength and Conditioning | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology | 8 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II 2, 3 | ||
| Human Anatomy and Human Physiology 3 | ||
| Biology | 8 | |
| General Biology I 2 | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Biology and Society | ||
| General Biology II | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| Biology of Microorganisms | ||
| Chemistry | 8 | |
| General Chemistry I 2 | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry for the Health Sciences | ||
| General Chemistry II 2 | ||
| Physics | 8 | |
| Physics for Life Sciences I and Physics Laboratory I 2 | ||
| Physics for Life Sciences II and Physics Laboratory II | ||
| Math | ||
| MATH 130 | Introduction to Statistics 4 | 3 |
| Psychology | ||
| PSYC 110 | General Psychology 5 | 3 |
| or PSYC 290 | Human Growth and Development | |
| KIN 306 | Sociological and Psychological Aspects of Physical Activity and Sport | 3 |
| or PSYC 320 | Social Psychology | |
| or PSYC 330 | Sports Psychology | |
| or PSYC 360 | Abnormal Psychology | |
| or PSYC 385 | Health Psychology | |
| Total Units | 74 | |
- 1
Students are required to complete 2 units (100 contact hours) of KIN 495. Each unit requires 50 clock hours of internship experience. This course may be repeated for up to 4 units of credit. Prerequisite: C- or higher in KIN 363 and KIN 364.
- 2
BIOL 231, BIOL 101, BIOL 151, CHEM 151, CHEM 123, PHYC 145, and PHYC 155 meet the APU Core: Natural Science general education requirement.
- 3
Either BIOL 230 and BIOL 231 OR BIOL 250 and BIOL 251 must be taken to complete the major’s anatomy and physiology requirement.
- 4
Meets the APU Core: Quantitative Reasoning general education requirement.
- 5
PSYC 110 and PSYC 290 meet the APU Core: Social Science general education requirement.
Applied Exercise Science Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| KIN 102 | Foundations of Kinesiology | 3 |
| KIN 241 | Writing in Kinesiology | 2 |
| KIN 242 | Fundamental Principles of Fitness | 3 |
| KIN 270 | Human Motor Control, Learning, and Development | 3 |
| KIN 275 | Biomechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
| KIN 360 | Nutrition for Exercise and Sport Science | 3 |
| KIN 363 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| KIN 364 | Kinesiology | 4 |
| KIN 395 | Fitness Management | 3 |
| KIN 490 | Research Methods in Kinesiology | 3 |
| KIN 495 | Internship in Kinesiology 1 | 2 |
| Kinesiology Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries | ||
| Corrective Exercise Strategies | ||
| Strength and Conditioning | ||
| Fitness and Exercise Prescription | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 8 | |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II 2,3 | ||
| Human Anatomy and Human Physiology 3 | ||
| Psychology | ||
| PSYC 110 | General Psychology 4 | 3 |
| or PSYC 290 | Human Growth and Development | |
| KIN 306 | Sociological and Psychological Aspects of Physical Activity and Sport | 3 |
| or PSYC 330 | Sports Psychology | |
| or PSYC 360 | Abnormal Psychology | |
| Total Units | 53 | |
- 1
Students are required to complete 2 units (100 contact hours) of KIN 495. Each unit requires 50 clock hours of internship experience. This course may be repeated for up to 4 units of credit. Prerequisite: C- or higher in KIN 363 and KIN 364.
- 2
BIOL 231 meets the APU Core: Natural Science general education requirement.
- 3
Either BIOL 230 and BIOL 231 OR BIOL 250 and BIOL 251 must be taken to complete the major’s anatomy and physiology requirement.
- 4
PSYC 110 and PSYC 290 meet the APU Core: Social Science general education requirement.
Strength and Conditioning Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| KIN 102 | Foundations of Kinesiology | 3 |
| KIN 241 | Writing in Kinesiology | 2 |
| KIN 242 | Fundamental Principles of Fitness | 3 |
| KIN 270 | Human Motor Control, Learning, and Development | 3 |
| KIN 275 | Biomechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
| KIN 360 | Nutrition for Exercise and Sport Science | 3 |
| KIN 363 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| KIN 364 | Kinesiology | 4 |
| KIN 380 | Strength and Conditioning | 3 |
| KIN 395 | Fitness Management | 3 |
| KIN 490 | Research Methods in Kinesiology | 3 |
| KIN 495 | Internship in Kinesiology 1 | 6 |
| Kinesiology Elective | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries | ||
| Corrective Exercise Strategies | ||
| Fitness and Exercise Prescription | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology | 8 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II 2,3 | ||
| Human Anatomy and Human Physiology 3 | ||
| Psychology | ||
| PSYC 110 | General Psychology 4 | 3 |
| or PSYC 290 | Human Growth and Development | |
| KIN 306 | Sociological and Psychological Aspects of Physical Activity and Sport | 3 |
| or PSYC 330 | Sports Psychology | |
| Total Units | 57 | |
- 1
Students are required to complete 6 units of KIN 495 during their senior year, totaling 300 hours of hands-on field experience under CSCS-certified supervision. These hours must be divided across at least two experiences supervised by different CSCS-certified professionals. This requirement aligns with CASCE standards and supports eligibility for the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) examination.
- 2
BIOL 231 meets the APU Core: Natural Science general education requirement.
- 3
Either BIOL 230 and BIOL 231 OR BIOL 250 and BIOL 251 must be taken to complete the major’s anatomy and physiology requirement.
- 4
PSYC 110 and PSYC 290 meet the APU Core: Social Science general education requirement.
BS in Kinesiology/Doctor of Physical Therapy Accelerated Concentration
While in the accelerated concentration, students must earn a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 in all university coursework attempted, including all required BS in Kinesiology courses.
For students to progress through the accelerated concentration, they must earn a grade of B- or higher in each required course in the concentration.
Students are allowed one opportunity to repeat a required course in the concentration. Students who do not earn a B- or higher in a required course after two attempts will be removed from the accelerated concentration (this policy includes late withdrawals).
Only two required courses within the concentration can be repeated. Students who earn below a B- in any three required courses in the concentration will be removed from the accelerated concentration (this policy includes late withdrawals).
Once students begin taking 700-level PT courses in the spring semester of the fourth year of the accelerated concentration, they must earn a B- or higher in all courses and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all coursework. Students are allowed to repeat only one 700-level DPT course. Students who earn below a B- in two or more courses will be removed from the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and the accelerated concentration.
Students removed from the accelerated concentration will be placed in the Health Professions or Applied Exercise Science concentration to finish out all APU and BS in Kinesiology undergraduate degree requirements (or students can choose another major).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology | ||
| KIN 241 | Writing in Kinesiology | 2 |
| KIN 275 | Biomechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
| KIN 363 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| KIN 364 | Kinesiology | 4 |
| KIN 490 | Research Methods in Kinesiology | 3 |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 8 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II 1, 2 | ||
| Human Anatomy and Human Physiology 2 | ||
| Biology | 8 | |
| Biology and Society 1 | ||
| General Biology I 1 | ||
| Chemistry | 8 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II 1 | ||
| Physics | 8 | |
| Physics for Life Sciences I and Physics Laboratory I 1 | ||
| Physics for Life Sciences II and Physics Laboratory II | ||
| Math | ||
| MATH 130 | Introduction to Statistics 3 | 3 |
| Psychology | ||
| PSYC 110 | General Psychology 4 | 3 |
| or PSYC 290 | Human Growth and Development | |
| Doctor of Physical Therapy Courses (meet BS in Kinesiology requirements) | ||
| PT 701 | Human Anatomy | 8 |
| PT 702 | Clinical Skills I | 6 |
| PT 706 | Seminar I | 2 |
| PT 707 | Professional Relationships | 2 |
| Total Units | 72 | |
- 1
BIOL 231, BIOL 101, BIOL 151, CHEM 151, PHYC 145, and PHYC 155 meet the APU Core: Natural Science general education requirement.
- 2
Either BIOL 230 and BIOL 231 OR BIOL 250 and BIOL 251 must be taken to complete the major’s anatomy and physiology requirement.
- 3
Meets the APU Core: Quantitative Reasoning general education requirement.
- 4
PSYC 110 and PSYC 290 meet the APU Core: Social Science general education requirement.