Kinesiology

Department Office
PE 14
(707) 664-2357
www.sonoma.edu/kinesiology

Department Chair
Steven V. Winter

Department Coordinator
Gina Voight

Equipment Technician
Gloria Allen

Faculty

Wanda Boda
Ellen Carlton
Lauren Morimoto
Bülent Sökmen
Kurt Sollanek
Steven V. Winter

Kinesiology, as the study of human movement, utilizes a comprehensive and integrative approach to examine phenomena related to all aspects of physical activity. The curriculum offered by the Department of Kinesiology prepares graduates who can apply kinesiological principles to the acquisition, performance, and refinement of motor skills and to the use of physical activity as an educative tool and a medium for health promotion, personal well-being, and participation in an active lifestyle. The curriculum addresses human movement across the life span from biological/physical, behavioral, sociocultural, and humanistic perspectives, with attention given to the unique and common needs of all people in a wide variety of contexts and conditions.

In conjunction with the broader educational mission of the University, the kinesiology major program prepares students to lead and participate in a modern complex society and to assume multiple roles throughout their lifetimes. Graduates have acquired knowledge and experiences that prepare them to pursue lifelong learning, advanced study, and/or careers in such areas as, coaching, allied health fields, health and fitness industries, sport industries, or exercise and movement science. To achieve this mission the kinesiology major provides students with a well-structured set of curricular and co-curricular experiences and the mentorship to derive a sound education from the University experience.

The Department of Kinesiology concentrations lead to the B.S. degree. In all concentrations, a core of courses are required. Beyond this core, the kinesiology student chooses a concentration of courses with a specific focus. The undergraduate may select, exercise science, lifetime physical activity, or interdisciplinary studies in kinesiology. Theoretical and practical learning experiences are an important part of all concentrations. Students are required to participate in a variety of field experiences.

Prior to beginning upper-division studies in Kinesiology, students should have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary for success. Courses with specific application to the kinesiology degree are included as support courses for the major. All students entering the upper-division kinesiology degree should

Be able to utilize computing technology in support of inquiry;
Demonstrate knowledge of a broad range of concepts, issues, facts, and theories derived from the biological, physical, behavioral, social sciences, and from the humanities;
Demonstrate critical thinking, writing, reading, oral communication, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and information management skills; and
Document experience in a variety of movement forms and fitness activities.

At the completion of the undergraduate degree all graduates should

Demonstrate knowledge and skill in a broad variety of movement and fitness activities;
Understand the biological/physical and behavioral bases of movement and the changes that occur across the life span, within diverse populations, and under a variety of environmental conditions;
Understand the sociocultural and humanistic bases of movement with diverse cultures, historical periods, and social settings;
Understand how motor skills are acquired and fitness achieved and maintained across the life span and within diverse populations;
Understand the relationships among movement, conditioning and training, well-being, and skill across the life span and under a variety of environmental and personally unique conditions;
Know how to apply kinesiological knowledge to enhance motor skill and fitness with a variety of populations and conditions;
Apply critical thinking, writing, reading, oral communication, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and information management skills to movement-related questions;
Demonstrate knowledge of the conditions of safe practice in movement-related contexts across the life span and within diverse populations, and respond appropriately to common injuries occurring during physical activity;
Be able to use and apply kinesiological data collection techniques and measurement theory to assess, analyze, and evaluate human performance;
Understand the scientific method and other systematic ways of knowing relative to research and scholarship in human movement;
Demonstrate ability to integrate multidisciplinary knowledge of kinesiology in an applied, problem-solving context;
Be familiar with standards, ethics, and expectations of professional communities related to human movement;
Be prepared to engage in professionally related community activities;
Be prepared to engage in informed dialogue with diverse professional and lay communities regarding kinesiological principles and practices; and
Demonstrate additional in-depth knowledge and skills associated with study in any one of the concentrations, specializations, or emphases that are associated with kinesiology degrees.

Careers

Lifetime Physical Activity

Careers or certifications that require a baccalaureate degree

Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Certified Personal Trainer
Health Fitness Instructor
Exercise Specialist
Coach

Adapted Physical Education – Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities

Work in public schools, community recreation centers, hospitals and other clinical settings, community colleges (M.A. required), colleges, and universities;

Exercise Science

Physical Therapy
Allied Health Careers

Interdisciplinary

Occupational Therapy

Students Planning to Apply to a Graduate Program in Physical Therapy

Completing the Kinesiology degree with the Exercise Science concentration, pre-physical therapy option, will satisfy many of the course requirements (or recommendations) which are prerequisites for admission to a physical therapy program. While there are similarities across physical therapy programs, there are also differences from one graduate program to another. Students are urged to contact personally any graduate school they may wish to consider and request admission requirements. Information can be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Associate website: http://www.apta.org.

No single list of prerequisites can be totally complete and accurate. The list on the previous page summarizes current requirements for some programs in California, and the requirements are similar to other programs. It is suggested that you use the attached list as general guidelines until a specific school or schools are selected.

Additional Considerations

Plan on a minimum of three years beyond the bachelor’s degree to complete a physical therapy program. Actual time varies by program.
Find out if the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required and what minimum score is accepted.
Strengthen your oral and written communication skills.
Apply to several programs.
Usually a 3.0 GPA is required; however, many schools actually use a 3.3 or higher GPA.
Get extensive field experience, have excellent letters of recommendation, prepare a strong portfolio, and be prepared for a good interview.
Some programs may not take less than a “B” in a prerequisite course; some will not accept a repeat grade if the original grade was a “C” or better.
Many programs require that prerequisites be taken in the last 5-10 years; this varies from school to school.
DO NOT take prerequisite courses for Cr/NC.
Take elective courses in related fields, especially the biological sciences.
Talk to physical therapists and other pre-pt students, and be active in the pre-health professions clubs on campus.

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