Oct 10, 2024  
2024-2025, 2nd ed. General Catalog 
    
2024-2025, 2nd ed. General Catalog

Kinesiology


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by Department

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

Chair, Dr. Lauren Morimoto

For faculty information, please see Faculty or the Kinesiology faculty web page.


The Kinesiology Department at Sonoma State provides students with a well-structured set of curricular and co-curricular experiences, academic advising, and mentorship. Our current and past students credit our small classes, teaching-focused faculty, proactive advising, opportunities to engage in research, and meaningful field experiences for their positive experience in Kinesiology.

Kinesiology, BS graduates acquire the knowledge and experiences:

  • to prepare for pre-professional training for physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, and other allied health fields
  • to pursue graduate study in exercise science, physical education, adapted physical education, sport management, and public health
  • to work in fitness and sport industries, teaching and coaching, and various allied-health settings

Each student must select a Concentration in the major: Exercise Science, Interdisciplinary/ Pre-Occupational Therapy or Lifetime Physical Activity.  Beyond the core, the chosen concentration has courses with specific focus on different allied health careers. Theoretical and practical learning experiences are an important part of all courses and concentrations.

At the completion of the undergraduate degree all graduates should:

  • Have knowledge of the history and broad content within the disciplines of kinesiology and can demonstrate the ability to synthesize concepts across disciplines.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the Core Competencies across the subareas of kinesiology through their academic work and practical application. (WSCUC Core Competencies: written communication, oral communication, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and information literacy)
  • Apply concepts, theories, and methods in kinesiology in professional and scholarly activities.
  • Apply evidence-based practices to the practice of kinesiology.
  • Demonstrate professional responsibility and ethical decision-making when applying knowledge of kinesiology.

Careers

  • Exercise Science
  • Physical Therapy
  • Allied Health Careers
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Lifetime Physical Activity
  • Strength and Conditioning Specialist
  • Certified Personal Trainer
  • Health Fitness Instructor
  • Exercise Specialist
  • Coach

Students Planning to Apply to a Graduate Program in Physical Therapy

Completing the Kinesiology degree with the Exercise Science concentration will satisfy many of the 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 Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service.

It is suggested that you use the attached list as general guidelines until a specific school or schools are selected.

  • 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 courses; 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-physical therapy students, and be active in the pre-health professions clubs on campus.

Programs

    MajorConcentrationSample Four-Year PlansSample Two-Year Transfer Plans

    Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by Department