BS: Kinesiology

BS

• You will work with nationally recognized experts who conduct breakthrough scientific research in a wide variety of areas.
• The core requirements provide the basic theory and science, while the laboratory and hands-on experiential courses provide skills and encourage professional development.
• The health and fitness industry has been projected to be a growing industry in the country for the next decade.
• Kinesiology provides excellent preparation for students interested in physical therapy, strength and conditioning, athletic training, cardiac rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and other health professions. 

Pre-2021 Student Handbook (PDF)

Fall 2021 – Present Handbook (PDF)

Employment Outlook

Earnings

Expected Growth

The kinesiology degree provides students with a strong educational foundation upon which to build a career. While many of our students pursue graduate school within 12 months of graduation, a significant number of students obtain immediate employment in the health and fitness industry.

Overall employment in the health and fitness industry continues to grow. Employment projections in kinesiology-related fields are strong. Between 2016 and 2026, Wisconsin is expected to see a 29.5% increase in physician assistants, 22.5% increase in physical therapy aides, 15.4% increase in physical therapists, and 11.3% increase in exercise physiologists. As an increasing number of people spend more time and money on health enhancement, fitness, and illness/disease/disability prevention, and as more businesses recognize the benefits of fitness and wellness programs, there is continued demand for high-quality health professionals.

Source: worknet.wisconsin.gov

Declaring Your Intent

If you are currently a UWM student and wish to change your major to “Kinesiology-Intended,” you must meet with an academic advisor to do so. Your kinesiology advisor will guide you through the declaration process and application to the major.

Admission Eligibility

You are eligible to pursue general education requirements and foundations courses associated with the curriculum, so long as you meet the necessary prerequisites for each course.

Students must meet the following criteria to be admitted to the kinesiology major: 

1. Complete of 30 college credits. 
2. Maintenance of 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA.
3. Earned credit in the following kinesiology foundation course: KIN 270: Statistics in the Health Professions.
4. Completion of the online application to the kinesiology major. 
5. Assignment of kinesiology faculty contact.

When the criteria are met and application accepted, the student will be admitted to the Kinesiology degree program.

Note: Admission and progression criteria (including curricular requirements) for the BS Kinesiology program are subject to change. Please contact advisor Torry Rufer at tjrufer@uwm.edu for the most current information.

Retention

Retention in the program and graduation are dependent upon maintaining good academic standing. Good academic standing is defined as:

1. Maintenance of a 2.0 cumulative UWM GPA.
2. Maintenance of a 2.0 kinesiology core GPA with earned credit in all kinesiology core courses. Students may not repeat more than three of the kinesiology core courses.

Application Submission

The application for admission to the kinesiology major is available during the months of February and September. Partner with your academic advisor every semester to identify the best time for you to apply.

• Application for spring admission:
  Due by Oct. 1 in the preceding fall semester.
• Application for summer/fall admission:
  Due by March 1 in the preceding spring semester.

You will be notified of admission status within four weeks of the application deadline.

The BS in Kinesiology is a four-year curriculum that includes foundational studies, lab classes and professional preparation leading to the completion of 120 credits for the Bachelor of Science degree.

For more detailed information about the program’s current offerings, please visit the UWM Course Catalog.

Curriculum for students starting 2019 – Fall 2021(PDF).

Admission and progression criteria (including curricular requirements) for the Kinesiology degree program are subject to change as of the publication date of this catalog. Please contact advisor Torry Rufer at tjrufer@uwm.edu for the most current information.

General Education Requirements (GERs)

You are eligible to pursue general education requirements and foundations courses associated with the curriculum, so long as you meet the necessary prerequisites for each course.

Foundations: Introductory Courses

Students must earn credit in each of the foundations courses.
A maximum of four courses may be repeated once.

Core: The Major

Kinesiology students are required to earn credit in the following kinesiology core courses.
A maximum of three courses may be repeated once.

Upper and Advanced Level Kinesiology Coursework

In addition to the kinesiology foundations and core requirements listed above, students will earn credit in a minimum of 12 credits of upper level and six credits of advanced level kinesiology coursework.

Upper Level Kinesiology Requirement
Select 12 credits from KIN 300-599

Advanced Level Kinesiology Requirement
Select six credits from KIN 500-599

Electives

Students may select elective coursework that aligns with their interests, as well as educational and professional goals.

Graduation Requirements

The following requirements must be met to graduate:

• Completion of the required 120 degree credits;

• Earned credit in required courses; and
• Cumulative UWM GPA of 2.0 and kinesiology core GPA of 2.0.

Pre-Physical Therapy and Pre-Athletic Training

“Pre-Physical Therapy” and “Pre-Athletic Training” are not undergraduate majors at UWM; rather, they are career classifications that allow the Zilber College of Public Health to identify UWM students who may benefit from special advising services.

Preparing to apply for a physical therapy program (PDF)

To schedule an advising appointment, contact Torry Rufer at tjrufer@uwm.edu. You can also contact your advisor in your student center in PAWS.