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Kinesiology and Health Promotion

If you’re passionate about wellness and fitness, a kinesiology degree provides the theory and practice to prepare you for professional work in schools, private agencies, clinical environments, government or business. You will have the opportunity to influence the physical activity, health, lifestyle and productivity of individuals, communities and organizations.

Watch the video below as Johnny Herrera talks about how Grand View's Kinesiology program set him up for success when competing against students around the country for spots at some of the most coveted medical schools.

What You Can Expect

In the Kinesiology and Health Promotion program, we repeatedly expose you to career opportunities. The major was designed to provide you with the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for success in your future endeavors. You will gain real-world, hands-on, experiential learning during your culminating internship experience.

This field is changing quickly in response to the aging population, increased cost of health care, and the understanding of the important role lifestyle factors play in one’s health. Graduates will have the opportunity to sit for national certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, and Certified Health Education Specialist.

Why Grand View?

  • Opportunities to improve the health and wellness of individuals and organizations.
  • Hands-on learning in new state-of-the-art labs.
  • Supervised internships in a variety of settings.
  • Focus on effective behavior change theory and application.

Program Details

Course Requirements (47-53 credits plus 15 prerequisite credits)

Prerequisites for courses for the major:

BIOL 101
General Biology I
4 credits
PSYC 101
General Psychology
3 credits
BIOL 160
Human Anatomy
4 credits
BIOL 165
Human Physiology
4 credits

CPR Documentation

These courses will not be counted in computing the GPA for the major.

Requirements for the Major:

The major consists of a Kinesiology and Health Promotion curriculum core (20 credits) plus the selection of an emphasis in Health Promotion, Kinesiology, or Pre-Athletic Training (27-33 credits each). Students may select multiple concentrations if they wish to complete additional studies.

Kinesiology and Health Promotion Core

KINH 155
Careers in Kinesiology and Health Promotion
1 credit
KINH 188
Personal and Community Health
1 credit
KINH 205
Lifetime Fitness and Wellness
3 credits
KINH 247
Leadership Skills for Conditioning/Strength Training Instruction
1 credit
BIOL 140
Introduction to Nutrition
3 credits
KINH 399
Internship
3 credits
KINH 440
Kinesiology and Health Promotion Practicum
3 credits
KINH 450
Senior Seminar 3 credits

Complete a concentration in Health Promotion, Kinesiology, or Pre-Athletic Training:

Health Promotion Concentration

BSAD 145
Fundamentals of Information Systems
3 credits
KINH 276
Principles and Foundations of Health Promotion
3 credits
BSAD 315
Marketing
3 credits
ENGL 309
Writing for Business
3 credits
KINH 345
Worksite Health Promotion
3 credits
KINH 410
Program Planning and Evaluation
3 credits

Take 9 credits from the following:

Health Promotion electives:    
COMM 255
Public Relations Principles
3 credits
BSAD 375
Human Resource Management
3 credits
PSYC 212
Human Development
4 credits
BSAD/SOCS 410
Organizational Behavior
3 credits
PSYC 363
Psychology and Health
3 credits
Kinesiology electives:    
KINH 281
Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
3 credits
KINH 371
Kinesiology
3 credits
KINH 391
Exercise Physiology
3 credits
KINH 447
Exercise Testing and Prescription
3 credits

Kinesiology Concentration

BSAD 145
Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
3 credits
KINH 351
Exercise Psychology
3 credits
KINH 361
Motor Control and Learning
3 credits
KINH 371
Kinesiology
3 credits
KINH 376
Biomechanics
3 credits
KINH 391
Exercise Physiology
3 credits
KINH 421
Advanced Strength and Conditioning
3 credits
KINH 447
Exercise Testing and Prescription
3 credits

Take 3 credits from the following:

 STAT 241  Principles of Statistics  4 credits
 KINH 276  Principles and Foundations of Health Promotion  3 credits
 KINH 345  Worksite Health Promotion  3 credits

Clinical Sites
Grand View students gain first-hand experience while learn from athletic trainers working in sports medicine clinics, high schools, and colleges within the Des Moines metro. A list of clinical sites include:
  • Grand View University
  • Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS)
  • Carlisle High School
  • Bondurant-Farrar High School
  • Dallas Center Grimes High School
  • Southeast Polk High School
  • Unity Point Sports Medicine & Concussion Clinic

Some students may elect to complete immersion rotations outside of Iowa. We have students involved with universities from other states including in New York and Illinois.

Kinesiology Concentration

The kinesiology concentration focuses on enhancing the health of individuals through understanding the role of movement. This field is changing quickly in response to our aging population, increased cost of health care and the important role lifestyle factors play in one's health. With a strong foundation in the natural and social sciences, you will gain knowledge and skills needed to provide scientifically grounded, community-focused, and ethically principled expertise to a diverse clientele, from children to older adults.

Athletic Training 3+2 Program

Grand View University's Kinesiology and Athletic Training program have partnered to streamline the process of students graduating with both a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and a Master of Science in Athletic Training. Following the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) standards, our students will be in full alignment with accreditation and have the ability to sit for the national certification test needed to become an athletic trainer.

Learn More

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Tuition & Scholarships

At Grand View University, your tuition supports instruction delivered by knowledgeable and experienced faculty who uphold our tradition of exceptional teaching. Additionally, we are dedicated to offering a high-quality education at the most affordable cost.

Transfer Credits

No matter what major you’re thinking about, you may be able to transfer in as many as 75 credits from a community college or junior college. If you have an A.A. or A.A.S. from an Iowa community college, you will be automatically admitted at junior status.

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AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Zeb Sullivan • "Finney: The battle to keep athletes healthy" was a special feature in The Des Moines Register about Zeb Sullivan and the Kinesiology department at Grand View.

Alumna Shares Her Story

"I followed my interest in wellness to an internship with Meredith Corporation, where I got to see what it’s like to run a wellness program for 500+ employees. The internship, coupled with my classroom experiences, led me to graduate school at the University of Utah and a graduate assistantship with PEAK Health and Fitness."

--Melanie Ellis '15, B.A. in Health Promotion with concentrations in fitness and wellness management

Career Options

The kinesiology program at Grand View will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. Your future awaits as a:

  • Wellness Program Director
  • Corporate Wellness Coordinator
  • Exercise Specialist
  • Strength and Conditioning Specialist
  • Health Promotion Planner
  • Personal Trainer
  • Wellness Coach

The kinesiology program is a great route to Grand View's Master of Science in Athletic Training program.