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Dec 06, 2025
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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Kinesiology (BS)
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The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Kinesiology focuses on the study of the human body and its performance for the purpose of optimal function, health, fitness, and well-being. Students in the degree program will study foundational sciences, such as anatomical kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor behavior, and the psychology of exercise and sport. Developing the skills, knowledge, and research experience related to Kinesiological Sciences will prepare students to further their training in a variety of performance/sport and health professions. This could include athletic training, human movement and performance specialty/practice, medicine, occupational therapy, personal training, physical activity programming, and physical therapy.
Please see the UNLV Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Science web page for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are availableon the UNLV Degrees Directory.
Learning Outcomes
- Recognize Kinesiology career options.
- Demonstrate knowledge of functional anatomy and biomechanics.
- Describe the biological foundations of motor control, explain information processing and learning theories, and identify practical concerns relating to enhancement of motor performance.
- Explain the biomechanical principles that underlie human motor performance.
- Specify the physiological response to exercise and describe the systemic adaptations that occur at rest and during submaximal and maximal exercise following chronic aerobic, anaerobic, and strength training.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to discuss the physiological basis of the major components of physical fitness, and develop individual fitness programs.
- Evaluate current concepts in nutrition in relation to health and disease, and apply guidelines for designing a healthy diet.
- Explain acute care of sport related injury and illness, and design risk management and injury prevention strategies.
- Evaluate popular nutrition practices utilized by competitive and recreational athletes, focusing on dietary assessment, scientific validity, and efficacy.
- Explain the risk factor concept of disease and the role of physical activity in modifying risk factors.
- Analyze and evaluate research data.
Career Possibilities
The results from a survey of graduates of our undergraduate programs have highlighted the flexibility Kinesiology graduates have in choosing a career. For example, some of our graduates have gone on to have careers as:
- Executive director of recreation
- Physical therapy technician
- Director of fitness
- Personal trainer
- Activity coordinator
- Fitness instructor
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Kinesiology (BS) Degree Requirement - Total Credits: 120
General Education Requirements - Credits: 35-45
First-Year Seminar - Credits: 2-3
English Composition - Credits: 6
Second-Year Seminar - Credits: 3
Constitutions - Credits: 3-6
Mathematics - Credits: 3
The MATH course you complete will be dependent on the MATH requirement for the concentration you select. Distribution Requirement - Credits: 18
Please see Distribution Requirements for more information. - Humanities and Fine Arts: 9 credits
- two courses in 2 different humanities areas
- one course in fine arts
- Social Science: 9 credits
- One course from 3 different fields of study
- Life and Physical Sciences and Analytical Thinking:
- Automatically satisfied by the Major
Multicultural and International - Credits: 0-6
Multicultural, one 3 credit course required
International, one 3 credit course required NUTR 301 is recommended to satisfy the International requirement These courses may overlap with general education and major requirements. A single course may not meet the multicultural and international requirements simultaneously. For the list of approved multicultural and international courses, go to: www.unlv.edu/provost/multicultural-requirements. Major Degree Requirements - BS in Kinesiology - Credits: 85-90
‘C’ or better in all KIN-prefixed classes. Sciences Requirements - Credits: 12
Kinesiology Foundation Courses - Credits: 33
Concentration - Credits 40-45
Students must choose from the following concentrations: - Exercise Science and Sport Performance
- Exercise and Health Sciences
- Healthcare and Rehabilitation Sciences
Exercise Science and Sport Performance - Credits: 40
For students seeking a challenging concentration to prepare for graduate school in exercise science, kinesiology, or sports science. Some students may want to become certified exercise physiologists (ACSM-EP). Approved Electives - Credits: 24-25
Exercise Science and Sport Performance Concentration Notes
- KIN 424 , or KIN 490 and KIN 475 , or KIN 494 are Culminating Experience course options for this concentration. KIN 475 and KIN 490 must be taken together. Any course(s) not chosen in this category can be used towards Approved Electives credit.
- Students should choose one Motor Behavior-focused course (KIN 316 or KIN 414 ) as part of the Concentration Required Courses. Any course(s) not chosen in this category can be used towards Approved Electives credit.
- Students should choose one Biomechanics-focused course (KIN 446 or KIN 456 ) as part of the Concentration Required Courses. Any course(s) not chosen in this category can be used towards Approved Electives credit.
- Students should choose one Exercise Physiology-focused course (KIN 411 or KIN 457 or KIN 465 or KIN 492 ) as part of the Concentration Required Courses. Any course(s) not chosen in this category can be used towards Approved Electives credit.
Exercise and Health Sciences Concentration - Credits: 40
For students who want to pursue careers as Physical Activity Director; Health and Wellness Coach; Corporate Wellness Coordinator; Fitness Trainer/Instructor; Health Club/Spa Manager; Fitness/Wellness Manager; Community Recreation Center Manager; Group Exercise Instructor. Students would be prepared to earn or enhance knowledge of a range of certifications in personal training (ACE, NSCA, ACSM, etc.), health coaching, or group exercise in this concentration. Approved Electives-Credits: 26-27
Exercise and Health Sciences Concentration Notes
- KIN 424 , or KIN 490 and KIN 475 , or KIN 494 are Culminating Experience course options for this concentration. KIN 475 and KIN 490 must be taken together. Any course(s) not chosen in this category can be used towards Approved Electives credit.
- If a higher credit-load PEX course is chosen, remaining credits will move into approved elective credits.
- Maximum of 3 PEX credits above 1-credit requirement= 4 PEX credits total.
Healthcare and Rehabilitation Sciences Concentration - Credits: 40-45
For students who may want to pursue careers/post-baccalaureate/graduate training in: athletic training (AT), physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), medical/physician assistant (PA) programs. Students should choose specialty course electives based on the requirements for the post-baccalaureate/graduate program they wish to apply to. Mathematics - Credits: 3
Determined by post-baccalaureate/graduate program application requirements. See Sub-Concentration Specialty Course Elective groupings below. Sub-Concentration Specialty Course Electives Credits: 33-39
Students should use the suggested sub-concentration specialty course elective groupings below to fulfill program prerequisite requirements based on the post-baccalaureate program they wish to apply to. Choose 33-34 credits (or more) using the suggested course groupings below or from the list of options under “Approved Electives”. Some program applications may require more than the minimum 33-34 credits NOTE: completion of the below program prerequisite coursework does not guarantee entry into each, respective post-baccalaureate program. Students should look into post-baccalaureate/professional program prerequisite requirements when choosing electives in this concentration. Program Application Preparation Specialty Courses-Athletic Training (AT): 33-34 credits
Below is suggested coursework to help you prepare for AT applications. Note that specific program application requirements differ, and students may be required to take courses that are not listed below and/or not all courses listed here may be required. Choose 33-34 (or more) credits from the following courses: Program Application Preparation Specialty Courses-Physical Therapy (PT): 34 credits
Below is suggested coursework to help you prepare for PT applications. Note that specific program application requirements differ, and students may be required to take courses that are not listed below and/or not all courses listed here may be required. Some courses below might be satisfied by General Education courses. Choose 34 (or more) credits from the following courses: Program Application Preparation Specialty Courses-Occupational Therapy (OT): 33-34 credits
Below is suggested coursework to help you prepare for OT applications. Note that specific program application requirements differ, and students may be required to take courses that are not listed below and/or not all courses listed here may be required. Some courses below might be satisfied by General Education courses. Choose 33-34 (or more) credits from the following courses: Program Application Preparation Specialty Courses-Medical/Physician Assistant (PA): 36-39 credits
Below is suggested coursework to help you prepare for Medical/PA applications. Note that specific program application requirements differ, and students may be required to take courses that are not listed below and/or not all courses listed here may be required. Some courses below might be satisfied by General Education courses. Approved Elective Options-Credits: 0-34
Students can choose all 33-34 credits from this list or choose a Sub-Concentration Specialty Course Electives grouping above. Healthcare and Rehabilitation Sciences Concentration Notes
- KIN 424 , or KIN 490 and KIN 475 , or KIN 494 are Culminating Experience course options for this concentration. KIN 475 and KIN 490 must be taken together. Any course(s) not chosen in this category can be used towards Approved Electives credit.
- Students should use the sub-concentration specialty groupings above to fulfill program prerequisite requirements based on the post-baccalaureate program they wish to apply to. Some programs may require more than the minimum 33-34 credits required for this concentration. NOTE: completion of the program prerequisite coursework does not guarantee entry into each, respective post-baccalaureate program. Please see program guidelines for more assistance. Students should look into post-baccalaureate/professional program prerequisite requirements when choosing electives in this concentration.
- Many PT and OT programs allow some flexibility toward fulfilling the Biology I and II prerequisite requirements, and some may require labs while others may not. Choose based on specific program requirements.
- For many medical/PA programs: Biology: three (3) courses; one (1) course must have laboratory experience. Most medical/PA program applications prefer courses in: genetics, immunology, molecular biology, physiology, anatomy, statistics, organic chemistry, and physics.
- In Spring 2023, the Board of Regents required students earning a degree from UNLV to have a minimum of 30 upper-division (300-400-level courses) taken at UNLV. PT students will need to choose at least 6 upper division credits from the approved elective lists up to the needed amount to satisfy the upper division in resident credit requirement. PA students can take additional credits from the approved electives to satisfy upper division in resident credit requirement.
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