Kinesiology B.S.

University of Rhode Island

Kinesiology studies all aspects of human movement—from the cellular level to the level of global physical cultures. The Kinesiology bachelor’s degree prepares students for careers in physical education, fitness and wellness programs, clinical and hospital-based fitness and wellness centers, and cardiac rehabilitation.

This curriculum leads to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. The major is designed for students who plan to pursue careers in exercise science or can be used to fulfill the prerequisites for students considering graduate degrees in other health care professions such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician’s Assistant, and other medical fields. The department offers a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology, including an Accelerated Bachelors to Masters (ABM) option, described below and in the Graduate Programs section of this catalog. Further, the department participates in the Ph.D. in Health Sciences graduate program offering a specialization in Kinesiology.

Degree Requirements. The following courses are required of all students in kinesiology: URI 101 (1 credit), 40 credits of general education, BIO 101, 103, 220, 221, 222, and 223; CHM 103; KIN 123, 275, 300, 301, 320, 325, 370, 390, 381, 420, and 484; COM 100; NFS 207; PSY 113; PSY 232, 235, 254, or 255; WRT 106; and one of the following professional electives from KIN 243, 369, 375G, 414; HLT 401; NFS 360; or PSY 255 (or other health related class). A total of 120 credits is required for graduation from exercise science and the early contingent physical therapy options. Specific requirements for the different degree options are listed below.

The pre-professional and applied tracks also require one of PSY 200, State 220, 307, or 308. The pre-professional track also requires CHM 105, 124, 126; CMB 210. Additionally, there are free electives. Students applying for a graduate program in physical therapy must also take the following classes as free electives: PHY 111, 185, 112, 186; and MTH 111. The applied exercise science track also requires KIN 125 and 425; and 2 professional electives (choose from KIN 243, 369, 382, 414, 475, 478, 479; NFS 360; PSY 255). Any student interested in graduate education should check programs of interest for prerequisites. Free electives can be used to satisfy those prerequisites.

The early contingent physical therapy program requires that the following classes be completed during the first five semesters of study: BIO 101, 103, 220, 221, 222, 223; CHM 103, 105, 124, 126; COM 100; KIN 123, 243, 275, 300, 301, 320, 325, 370; MTH 111; PHY 111, 185, 112, 186; PSY 200, STA 307 or STA 308; WRT 106. Other requirements include KIN 381, 420; NFS 207; and free electives. During the 7th and 8th semesters, the first year physical therapy graduate curriculum is followed.

• Exercise Science: Applied Track
• Exercise Science: Pre-Professional Track
• Early Contingent Physical Therapy