Why Study Kinesiology?
Study the science of human movement to improve athletic performance, prevent injuries and promote health and wellness.
Students in the kinesiology major or minor (previously known as exercise science) learn from faculty members from diverse disciplines and gain hands-on experience in their courses. Students work closely with faculty, particularly during the design and implementation of a senior capstone project. Kinesiology majors have access to a cadaver-dissection laboratory and an array of instrumentation to support research and instruction in the physiological, biomechanical and psychomotor domains.
Pacific kinesiology majors also benefit from our strong ties to leading health profession programs at Pacific and beyond, including a 3:2 pathway to a master’s degree in athletic training from the College of Health Professions.
What Can You Do with a Kinesiology Major?
Pacific graduates with a kinesiology major are prepared to enter a variety of fields, including research, corporate fitness and wellness programs, recreation and sales. They may also pursue advanced disciplinary study in movement science — such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control and learning and sport psychology.
Many enroll in Pacific’s graduate programs in athletic training and physical therapy and go on to have careers as athletic trainers, clinical researchers, disability analysts, leaders in hospital rehabilitation programs and other types of healthcare professionals.
Pathway to Athletic Training
Get a head start on your athletic training career with Pacific University's 3:2 pathway to athletic training. Well-qualified students majoring in kinesiology can apply for Pacific's highly competitive master of science in athletic training during their junior year. Those who are accepted take specific coursework as seniors that counts both toward their undergraduate degree and their first year of athletic training school.
