A total of 120 credits, including elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. Students must complete University Integrative Studies and Writing Requirements, requirements for the Kinesiology major, and requirements for at least one cognate or minor.
Advising Guides
- 2022-2023 Advising Guide
- 2021-2022 Advising Guide
- 2020-2021 Advising Guide
- 2019-2020 Advising Guide
- 2018-2019 Advising Guide
University Integrative Studies and Writing Requirements
All undergraduate students at Michigan State University must complete University Integrative Studies and Writing requirements. Course selections are tailored to various majors.
Integrative Studies Requirement
To satisfy the University’s requirement for 24 credits of Integrative Studies, kinesiology students must complete:
- 8 credits in Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities – one from:
- IAH 201-209 (4 cr)
- IAH 211-241 (4 cr)
- 8 credits in Integrative Studies in Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences
- 200-level ISS course (4 cr)
- 300-level ISS course (4 cr)
- Note: a 200-level ISS course is a prerequisite for the 300-level ISS course
- 8 credits in Integrative Studies in General Science
- ISB course (3 cr)
- Prerequisite or co-requisite: MTH 103
- ISP course (3 cr)
- Prerequisite: MTH 103 or higher
- ISB or ISP lab course (2 cr)
- ISB course (3 cr)
NOTE: In lieu of 8 credits in Integrative Studies in General Science (ISB (3 credits), ISP (3 credits) and 2 credit Lab course), students in the Kinesiology major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree may complete an alternative science track that consists of the following courses: Chemistry 141 and 161, Kinesiology 251, and Physiology 250. The completion of Chemistry 161 and Kinesiology 251 satisfies the laboratory requirement. Chemistry 141 and 161, Kinesiology 251, and Physiology 250 may be counted toward both the alternative science track and requirements for the major.
4. At least two Integrative Studies courses that emphasize diversity
- one course designated “I” and one designated “N”, or
- one course designated “I” or “N” and one designated “D”
- “I” – emphasizes international and multicultural diversity
- “N” – emphasizes national diversity
- “D” – emphasizes both of above
Writing Requirement
To fulfill the University’s writing requirement a student must:
- Complete a 4-credit Tier I writing course from the Department of Writing, Rhetoric & American Cultures (WRA)
- Complete the Tier II writing course approved for Kinesiology majors (KIN 345 or 445).
Kinesiology Major Requirements
Kinesiology Foundational and Applied Course Requirements
- Each of the following foundational courses (or approved equivalencies; see Admission to Kinesiology) must be completed and passed with a minimum grade of 2.0. (21 credits):
- KIN 173 Foundations of Kinesiology (3 cr)
- CEM 141 General Chemistry (4 cr)
- KIN 216 Applied Human Anatomy (3 cr)
- MTH 103 College Algebra (3 cr)
- KIN 251 Principles of Human Movement (4 cr)
- PSL 250 Introductory Physiology (4 cr)
- All of the following courses must be completed with an overall minimum grade-point average of 2.0 (15 credits):
- KIN 121 The Healthy Lifestyle (3 cr)
- KIN 250 Measurement in Kinesiology (3 cr)
- KIN 310 Physiological Bases of Physical Activity (3 cr)
- KIN 330 Biomechanics of Physical Activity( 3 cr)
- KIN 360 Physical Growth and Motor Behavior (3 cr)
- The following lab course or approved substitution (1 credit):
- CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I (1 cr)
- One of the following Tier II writing courses (3 credits):
- KIN 345 Sport and Exercise Physiology (3 cr)
- KIN 445 Sport and Physical Activity in Society (3 cr)
Cognate or Minor Requirement
- Completion of an approved cognate or Kinesiology department minor (a minimum of 12 credits)
Internship Requirement
- An approved internship experience from one of the following courses:
- KIN 492 Internship: Non-Physiologically Based (3-6 cr)
- KIN 493 Internship: Exercise Physiologically-Based (3-6 cr)
- KIN 496 Internship: Athletic Training Observation-Based (3-6)
Kinesiology Cognate Requirement
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology must create a 12-credit cognate from any of the following courses. Students may choose from one concentration area below or complete classes from more than one area.
COURSES RELATED TO EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
KIN 125 First Aid/Personal Safety (3 cr)
KIN 217 Anatomy Cadaver Lab (1 cr)
KIN 371 Intro to Research Methods (3 cr)
KIN 411 Exercise Physiology Lab (2 cr)
KIN 465 Adapted Physical Activity (3 cr)
COURSES RELATED TO ATHLETIC INJURY AND THERAPY
KIN 126 Intro to Athletic Training Injury (name pending) (3 cr)
KIN 127 Taping and Bracing (1 cr)
KIN 217 Applied Human Anatomy Lab (2 cr)
KIN 320 Pathology of Sports Injury (3 cr)
KIN 411 Exercise Physiology Lab (2 cr)
KIN 424 Psychology of Injury (3 cr)
COURSES RELATED TO COGNITIVE AND MOTOR NEUROSCIENCE
KIN 217 Anatomy Cadaver Lab (1 cr)
KIN 365 Sensorimotor Control (3 cr)
KIN 371 Intro to Research Methods (3 cr)
KIN 443 Psychophysiological Aspects of KIN (3 cr)
KIN 465 Adapted Physical Activity (3 cr)
COURSES RELATED TO PSYCHO-SOCIAL ASPECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
KIN 345 Sport and Exercise Psychology (3 cr)
KIN 445 Sociocultural Analysis of Physical Activity (3 cr)
KIN 371 Intro to Research Methods (3 cr)
KIN 443 Psychophysiological Aspects of KIN (3 cr)
KIN 465 Adapted Physical Activity (3 cr)
COURSES RELATED TO ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION
KIN 454 Facility Planning & Construction (3 cr)
KIN 456 Ethical Issues in Athletics (2 cr)
Sport Management-related Elective Courses (7 cr) — See KIN advisor for elective suggestions. Students may also be interested in adding the Minor in Sport Business Management offered through the Broad College of Business.
Minors Offered through the Kinesiology Department
MINOR IN COACHING
The Coaching Minor is designed to provide students with knowledge, skills and experiences that will enable them to coach effectively and safely in school, community-youth and adult sports programs.
MINOR IN HEALTH PROMOTION
The Health Promotion Minor is designed to assist students in gaining a deeper understanding of health issues and their impact on overall quality of life. The multidisciplinary course options will provide a basis for personal and professional growth, emphasize positive lifestyle choices and explore global health/wellness concerns.
The Kinesiology Internship
A minimum of three credit hours of internship (KIN 492/KIN 493/KIN 496) is required for students in Kinesiology. Students must work 45 hours for each credit earned.
See the complete internship guide.
Degree Planning Grid for Current Students
To help you keep track of your requirements, please see the Undergraduate Kinesiology Planning Grids:
Suggested Four-Year Plan
To help you plan your course schedule prior to enrollment, please see the suggested courses by year. Use this information as a guide; some classes may not be available during the suggested semesters. In addition to academic year enrollment, some students may also opt to take classes during the summer semesters.
Year One
WRA 101 β Writing as Inquiry (3)
MTH XXX β Per Math Placement Test (3-6)
ISS 2XX β Integrated Social Science (4)
CEM 141 β General Chemistry I (4)
CEM 161 β General Chemistry Lab I (1)
KIN 121 β The Healthy Lifestyle (3)
KIN 173 β Foundations of Kinesiology (3)
Elective Courses β as needed (3-9)
Year Two
KIN 216 β Applied Human Anatomy (3)
KIN 251 β Principles of Human Movement (4)
IAH 201-210 β Integrated Arts/Humanities Requirement (4)
ISS 3XX β Integrated Social Science Requirement (4)
PSL 250 β Introductory Physiology (4)
Electives or Courses not taken in Year One β as needed (9-12)
Year Three
KIN 250 β Measurement in Kinesiology (3)
KIN 310 β Physiological Bases of Physical Activity (3)
KIN 360 β Physical Growth & Motor Behavior (3)
IAH 211 or higher β Integrated Arts/Humanities Requirement (4)
Cognate Courses (3-6)
Electives or Courses not previously taken β as needed (9-12)
Year Four
KIN 330 β Biomechanics of Physical Activity (3)
KIN 345/445 β Tier II Writing Course (3)
KIN 492/493/496 β Senior Internship (3-6)
Cognate Courses to complete requirement
Electives β as needed to reach 120 credits required for degree completion