Kinesiology at Sonoma State

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 to 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 life style. 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 teaching, coaching, adapted physical education, 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 programs lead to the BS or MA degrees. In both programs a core of courses is required. Beyond this core, the kinesiology student chooses a concentration of courses with a specific focus. The undergraduate may select Physical Education, Adapted Physical Education, Exercise Science, Lifetime Fitness, or Interdisciplinary Studies in kinesiology.

WANT TO BECOME A KINESIOLOGY MAJOR?

Prospective First-Time Freshmen:

Welcome to SSU. You will want to sign-up for the following courses during your first two semesters, Biology 110 or 115 and Chem 105 or, if you are an Exercise Science Concentration student, Chem 115A&B. These courses are pre-requisite courses that need to be taken during your freshman year. Kin 201, Bio 220 and Bio 224 need to be taken within the first four semesters. Your ability to move forward in the major is dependent on your taking these courses.

Prospective Transfer Students:

Welcome to SSU. You need to have taken Human Anatomy and Human Physiology courses. Upon entry to SSU, you need to sign-up for Kin 201 in your first semester in order to take other Kinesiology Core courses.

Current SSU Students who wish to change their major to Kinesiology will be able to apply in the spring of 2012. An announcement will appear in March concerning how to apply. Please check back then.
Please note: we will be accepting only a small number of new majors, as our department is currently impacted.
For more information, contact the Dept Chair, Elaine McHugh.

Announcements:

Department Chair:
Dr. Elaine McHugh
Administrative Coordinator:
Ms. Gina Voight

Office Location:
PE 14

Instructions for completing the Graduation Application

Core Courses:
In order to ensure that Juniors and Seniors can get core courses that they need to graduate, the department has modified requirements to make sure they get them.

The changes in the requirements are that you can no longer take core courses and Kin 340/342 unless you have completed Anatomy and Physiology. For those who started Fall 2008, you also need to take Kin 201.

New Requirements:
All Kin majors who started Fall 2008 are now required to take Kin 201 (Foundations of Kinesiology). As relayed above, this is also a course required to take core courses.

Office Hours:

Regular Office Hours are 8 am to 4:30pm

If the office is closed, please leave a message at 707/664-2357 or contact the Dean's office at 707/664-2171.