The Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Upper-Division Writing Requirement:

Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog for more details on the four courses.  The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.

*Or any upper-division Writing (W) course

The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (Executive Order 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Course Requirements for the Major: 56-65 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, depending upon the selected option are outlined following the major core program requirements.

Basic computer literacy skills are required for the Option in Physical Education Teacher Education and the Option in Outdoor Education. The requirement may be met through select college courses (UNIV 101) or through prior experience.

Major Core Program: 7 units

2 courses required:

Major Option Course Requirements: 49-58 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.  Use the links below to jump to your chosen option.

• The Option in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE)
• The Option in Movement Studies
• The Option in Outdoor Education

The Option in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE): 49 units

Standard first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification are required.

Basic computer literacy skills are required. The requirement may be met through select college courses (e.g. UNIV 101) or through prior experience.

15 courses required:

Activity Breadth Courses: 3 units

3 courses selected from:

With the prior approval of a PETE advisor, select 3 units of activity breadth courses (KINE 113-195).

Additional Information:

This option satisfies all requirements for subject matter competency in physical education for students pursuing a single subject teaching credential after completing the Option in PETE, providing GPA standards are met (2.67 cumulative, or 2.75 in the major). For students applying to the Single Subject Teaching Credential program at CSU, Chico, it is recommended that elective courses include ENGL 471, EDTE 302, and HCSV 451. Consult with a Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) advisor early for specific requirements and suggested electives that lead to supplementary authorizations to teach additional subjects in the state of California.

Optional Adapted Physical Education Specialist Credential: 20 units

In order to complete the specialist credential in adapted physical education, students must obtain or be working toward a credential that authorizes them to teach physical education. This credential allows future physical education teachers to instruct individuals with disabilities in the public schools. These courses may be taken in addition to the Option in Teacher Education program, but are not required for that option or degree.

7 courses required:

KINE 351 may be applied to the lower-division requirements.

The Option in Movement Studies: 45-57 units

Option Core: 27-32 units

Lower-Division Activity Breadth Courses: 10-15 units

2 courses required:

5-10 units selected from:

Complete five courses from five of the seven groups below:

Aquatics Group

Dance, Tumbling, or Gymnastics Group

Individual or Dual Group

Outdoor Education/Recreation Group

Personal Defense or Combatives Group

Team Sports Group

Weight Training or Fitness Group

Upper-Division Courses: 17 units

5 courses required:

Advising Pattern Course Requirements: 18-25 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required depending upon the advising pattern chosen. Students must select one of the following advising patterns for completion of the major course requirements.

Coaching and Administration Pattern: 24-25 units

Students wishing to pursue a career in coaching with any degree should consult a Kinesiology advisor. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) requires all individuals to acquire coaching certification. CIF has approved this pattern, and individuals who satisfactorily complete the coursework should fulfill the CIF requirements to become a certified coach. See your advisor to discuss career plans and appropriate selection of courses.

4 courses required:

2 courses required:

Note: Either KINE 331 or KINE 332 may be taken twice to meet this requirement.

2 courses selected from:

Fitness and Wellness Pattern: 18-19 units

3 courses required:

3 courses selected from:

The Option in Outdoor Education: 58 units

Admission to the Outdoor Education Option is currently suspended. Please contact the Kinesiology Department for more information.

Basic computer literacy skills are required. The requirement may be met through select college courses (e.g. KINE 100 or UNIV 101) or through prior experience.

Wilderness 1st Responder certification is a requirement for graduation with this degree. Please see the Coordinator of the Outdoor Education program for a list of accepted WFR providers.

10 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 334	Conservation Ecology		3.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: One biological sciences course. An examination of ecological principles and the impact of increasing population and technology upon the environment. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (001156)
KINE 222	Challenge Quest		3.0	FS
This course provides the students an opportunity to participate in a series of challenge course activities involving mental, physical, and emotional risk-taking in a safe, supportive, positive learning environment. This course focuses on transferable knowledge from challenge course experiences to college, work, home, and life. The course concentrates on leadership principles; life long learning, physical movement, mental challenges, emotional risk-taking; decision making and problem solving; interpersonal and intrapersonal relationship skills, collaboration, and reflection. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours field studies. (020716)
KINE 224	Methods of Teaching Rock Climbing		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: KINE 123 or KINE 124 recommended. This course is for outdoor education and recreation leaders and is an introduction to the skills and safety systems associated with beginning rock climbing (e.g., top rope climbing, rappelling, bouldering) and the management of rock climbing in outdoor programs. Additionally, teaching methods appropriate for rock climbing are discussed, demonstrated, and evaluated. This course requires additional field time taught on weekends. 1 hour lecture, 6 hours laboratory. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule. (006686)
KINE 226	Methods of Teaching Wilderness Living		4.0	FS
Prerequisites: KINE 121 recommended but not required. Introduction to basic summer backpacking skills, including equipment, nutrition, fitness, minimum impact camping, safety, beginning map and compass skills, leadership issues, and environmental ethics. Emphasis on technical applications and the implementation of these skills in adventure programs. Successful completion of this course meets the requirements for two national certifications: 1) The Wilderness Education Association's Wilderness Steward Certification; 2) Leave No Trace Trainer Certification. This course requires a ten-day field session taught over Thanksgiving break. 2 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule. (006700)
KINE 227	Winter and the Mountain		4.0	SP
Prerequisites: KINE 226 or equivalent. Introduction to winter wilderness living skills including nutrition, minimum impact camping, snow physics, avalanche, safety, medical issues, back country skiing techniques, snow shelters, leadership issues, and environmental ethics. Emphasis is on technical applications and the implementations of these skills in adventure programs. Successful completion of this class earns the student an American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education Level I certification. This is a physically demanding course requiring 10 continuous days of camping in winter conditions. It is not for the novice. 1 hour lecture, 9 hours laboratory. (006685)
KINE 228	Methods of Teaching Canoeing and Kayaking		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: KINE 226 (may be taken concurrently). This course gives students an introduction to whitewater canoeing and kayaking skills. Students gain an understanding of the equipment, techniques, and procedures to conduct canoeing and kayaking activities in flat water, moving water, and whitewater environments. Emphasis is on the development of individual paddling skills, safe and conscientious paddling, and group management while on moving water. This course requires additional field time taught on weekends. 1 hour lecture, 6 hours laboratory. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule. (006707)
KINE 460	Foundations of Outdoor Education		3.0	FS
This course provides the historical and philosophical foundations for using the outdoors as a medium for learning. Basic teaching and leadership styles used in instruction are emphasized, including a detailed look at the ethics involved in using the outdoors and adventure programming in education. 3 hours lecture. (007019)
RHPM 240	Outdoor Recreation Systems		3.0	FS
Resources and needs for outdoor recreation: managing people and natural resources to provide quality outdoor recreation experiences. Study of historic, social, political, economic, and environmental factors influencing natural resources recreation at federal, state, and local levels. Survey of conflicts in natural resource land use. Required field trip. 3 hours lecture. (008782)
RHPM 428	Recreation Law and Legal Principles		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: Junior standing. Introduction to the study of law applicable to the management of recreation resources in providing valuable recreational experiences for clientele of public and commercial recreation programs and facilities. Examines general legal principles, legal aspects of provision of services by the private sector, contracts and contracting for recreation and park services, legal authority and methods in resource-based recreation areas, and legal liability in parks, recreation, and athletic programs. 3 hours lecture. (008818)
RHPM 448	Methods and Materials for Environmental Education		3.0	SP
Prerequisite: GEOS 130 or SCED 343 or equivalent. This course is also offered as EDCI 448. Experiential-oriented survey of methods and materials for teaching environmental concepts in schools, communities, nature centers, camps, and parks. Exposure to history, theory, philosophy, and goals of environmental education programs. 3 hours lecture. (002778)

1 course selected from:

1 course selected from:

1 course selected from:

Professional Development: 16 units

2 courses required:

Note: The Immersion Semester may not be the right choice for all students. In these cases a student may select a total of 15 units from courses related to the profession with prior approval of their advisor.

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major:

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:

1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.