Kinesiology and Health Science

The kinesiology and health science major gives you the academic and professional foundation you need to pursue graduate school and physical therapy licensure. As a first-year kinesiology and health science major, you can apply for early assurance of admission to Bradley's DPT program.

Preparing You For Success

You build a strong foundation in health, wellness and physiology knowledge that prepares you for a career in physical therapy or other health fields. Your learning doesn't end with classroom readings and lectures on health-related topics. It extends to internships, research projects and hands-on experiences around Peoria.

By the time you graduate, your experiences include:

  • Strong relationships with your professors and classmates in small classes
  • A required minor, which can be biology, health, business, neuroscience, leadership or anything else you might choose
  • Research projects you can present to the public at Bradley's year-end research showcase
  • Professional development and networking through student organizations like Wags For Mags, Health Science Organization and Alpha Epsilon Delta honor society
  • Hands-on learning through internships and professional class projects for organizations such as OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and the Central Illinois Chapter of Easter Seals

Making Your Mark

Almost all kinesiology and health science students pursue graduate degrees and find careers as physical therapists, physician assistants, occupational therapists, optometrists, medical physicians, chiropractors, athletic trainers or public health administrators. Among Illinois health science programs, Bradley has the highest percentage of students admitted to DPT programs.

Many undergraduates choose to go on to pursue Bradley's doctorate of physical therapy program, which boasts a 97 percent first-time pass rate on the national licensure exam.

If you go straight to the workforce, you can find a job in medical sales, pharmaceutical sales, health and fitness management, and other fitness industry positions.

Major Requirements (70-76 total hours)

Required Courses - 62 hrs.

  • BIO 111 and 113: Introduction to Cell Biology - 4 hrs.
  • BIO 112 and 114: Introduction to Ecology and Evolution - 4 hrs.
  • BIO 230 and 231: Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 4 hrs.
  • BIO 232 and 233: Human Anatomy and Physiology II - 4 hrs.
  • CHM 110 and 111: General Chemistry I - 4 hrs.
  • CHM 116 and 117: General Chemistry II - 4 hrs.
  • CHM 302: Medical Terminology - 1 hr.
    or NUR 391: Medical Terminology - 1 hr.
  • FCS 202: Food and Nutrition - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 110: Introduction to Health Science - 1 hr.
  • KHS 210: Concepts in Personal Wellness and Fitness
    or KHS 230: Measurement in Physical Activity - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 310: Statistical Procedures in Health Sciences (PSY 205 Acceptable for neuroscience Minors - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 320: Applied Physiology of Exercise - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 345: Motor Control and Motor Learning - 3 hrs.
  • HS 460: Kinesiology - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 470: Health Science Application of Exercise Prescriptions
    or KHS 480: Motion Analysis - 3 hrs.
  • MTH 115: Brief Calculus with Applications
    or MTH 121: Calculus I - 4 hrs.
  • PHY 107: General Physics I - 4 hrs.
  • PHY 108: General Physics II - 4 hrs.
  • PSY 101: Principles of Psychology - 3 hrs.

Required Elective Courses (4-10 hours)

Choose 3 electives. At least 2 courses must be from KHS. (KHS 210 or 230, 470 or 480 may be taken as an elective if not already used as a required course)

  • FCS 220: Consumer Issues in Health Care - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 304: Sports and Exercise Nutrition - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 410: Advanced Nutrition - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 210: Concepts in Personal Wellness and Fitness - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 230: Measurement in Physical Activity (EL) - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 300: Experiential Learning (EL) - 1-4 hrs.
  • KHS 306: Health Science Applications for Sports - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 343: Ethics of Healthcare - 3 hrs.
  • HS 350: Special Topics in Health Science - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 380: Disability and Health in a Global Society (WI) - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 425: Independent Study - 1-3 hrs.
  • KHS 470: Health Science Application of Exercise Prescription - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 480: Motion Analysis - 3 hrs.
  • ML 350: Managing for Results in Organizations. - 3 hrs.
  • NUR 217: Men’s Health - 2 hrs.
  • NUR 219: Women’s Health - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 303: Lifespan Developmental Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 311: Principles of Abnormal Psychology - 3 hrs.

*Kinesiology and Health Science students will take HS 310 unless they are pursuing a neuroscience minor.

*KHS students are required to graduate with a minor. KHS students must declare the minor area of study prior to completing their sophomore year.