At which campus can I study this program?
What is KinesIology?
Kinesiology refers to the study of human movement. This interdisciplinary field of study focuses on physical activity, movement and sport and includes specialized areas of study that include the arts, humanities, sciences and professional disciplines. These areas include biomechanics, psychology of physical activity, exercise physiology, history and philosophy of physical activity, motor development, as well as sports medicine and physical education pedagogy. This multi-disciplinary approach is useful for addressing health and wellness in a complex society.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT KINESIOLOGY
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNDERGRADUATE CORE IN KINESIOLOGY
You Might Like This Program If...
You enjoy working with people, have a passion for health and wellness, and are open to approaching problems with interdisciplinary strategies. As you learn about the human body as a whole, you will also have the opportunity to understand how you can apply your knowledge and skills to develop solutions that can help others in a number of ways, whether in a rehabilitation facility, with a professional sports team, or in a corporate office.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
Students in the Athletic Training Major are not permitted to obtain a Kinesiology Minor.
Students may need additional prerequisites to complete this minor.
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| The Cultural and Behavioral Foundations of Kinesiology | ||
| The Biophysical Foundations of Kinesiology | ||
| Functional Human Anatomy | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 12 credits from approved list, 6 credits must be at the 400-level: | 12 | |
| The Cultural and Behavioral Foundations of Kinesiology | ||
| The Biophysical Foundations of Kinesiology | ||
Fitness with Exercise Physiology  | ||
| Functional Human Anatomy | ||
| Emergency Recognition and Care with BLS CPR | ||
| Psychology of Movement Behavior | ||
| The Historical, Cultural, and Social Dynamics of Sport | ||
| Meaning, Ethics, and Movement | ||
| Exercise Physiology | ||
| The Neurobiology of Motor Control and Development | ||
| Biomechanics | ||
Any KINES 400-level course. Exclude: KINES 408, KINES 495B, KINES 495C, KINES 495D. No more than 3 credits of KINES 496 may count towards the minor. | ||
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Sarah Milito
Lead Academic Adviser
270 Recreation Park Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-4493
sjb176@psu.edu
Berks
Ben Infantolino
Program Coordinator, Associate Professor
Beaver 114A
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6153
BKKinesiology@psu.edu
Career Paths
Careers
Students with a Kinesiology minor have many career options after graduation. Discussion with an adviser, Kinesiology faculty, or professionals in the field can provide additional insight. Many students use their Penn State Kinesiology minor in allied health and wellness fields, working with a wide range of populations in many different settings. Our applied learning opportunities give students hands-on experience to work with children and adults to promote health and wellness. Kinesiology minor students are valuable employees, with their strong scientific background that they can apply to solving problems related to human movement.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A MINOR IN KINESIOLOGY
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Many students in the Kinesiology minor are looking to attend graduate or professional school after they complete their undergraduate program. Kinesiology minor students are often interested in careers in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician’s assistant, medical school, dentistry, nursing, or chiropractic school. Students may also opt to attend graduate programs in Kinesiology to advance their understanding in one of the sub-disciplines in the field. The Kinesiology undergraduate minor program can include a strong scientific foundation for further study in these fields.
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY
276 Recreation Building
University Park, Pa 16802
814-863-0442
pennstatekines@psu.edu
https://hhd.psu.edu/kines/undergraduate/major-kinesiology
Berks
SCIENCE DIVISION
Luerssen Science Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6153
BKKinesiology@psu.edu