Kinesiology

Purdue University in West Lafayette

If you enjoy physical activity, learning about how we move and hands-on learning experiences, kinesiology is the major for you.

Kinesiology studies the mechanics of human movement and how they impact our health and wellbeing. The curriculum includes courses in exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control, motor development and sport and exercise psychology. Students will choose five advanced courses based on their interests to develop their knowledge further. Students also have the opportunity to work with a professor to conduct research in a specific area of kinesiology.

Students in this major can pursue optional concentrations in clinical exercise physiology, sports medicine and sport management.

Clinical Exercise Physiology

This concentration supplies students with the knowledge and practical experience to become leading health and fitness professionals dedicated to promoting health and physical activity in all populations, including children, adults and seniors. The goals of the program are to prepare students as entry-level exercise specialists and to prepare students to sit for and pass either the American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) exam or the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Exam®.

Sports Medicine

This concentration supplies students with athletic training fieldwork opportunities in collegiate, secondary school and clinic/industry settings. The program aims to prepare students with the coursework and experience necessary to apply for the Purdue University Master of Science in Athletic Training. Completing the sports medicine concentration does not guarantee admission to the Purdue MSAT program.

Sport Management

This concentration provides foundational knowledge and profession-specific learning opportunities for students interested in pursuing graduate school and/or a future career within the sport industry. Coursework builds student skills in the business practices of the sport industry at multiple levels including recreational, interscholastic, intercollegiate and professional environments.

Kinesiology offers excellent preparation for students who plan to attend graduate school in an area of kinesiology or professional school. Examples include athletic training, physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), medicine, physician assistant (PA), chiropractic, biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor learning, motor development, sport and exercise psychology, sport management, etc.