The Practicing Kinesiology Pathway covers core competencies that define what it means to be a practicing kinesiologist. Students will develop and apply knowledge of movement-based interventions and multi-disciplinary approaches to enhance health, performance, and overall well-being. The pathway is available to all Bachelor of Kinesiology students.
By completing courses in this path, students can pursue membership in professional kinesiology associations, preparing them to work with individuals who are either apparently healthy or living with stable chronic conditions or disabilities in community or private settings. Kinesiologist certification is regulated or administered provincially. Check provincial kinesiology association to confirm eligibility requirements.
Students pursuing the Practicing Kinesiology Pathway must complete the following lower-level courses by the end of second year:
- KIN_V 140 (3) Lifespan Motor Development
- KIN_V 220 (3) Exercise Testing and Prescription for Healthy Individuals with Special Considerations
Students must complete the following upper-level courses in third year:
- KIN_V 320 (3) Exercise Prescription and Behaviour Change for Individuals with Chronic Disease and Disability
- KIN_V 324 (3) Prevention of Sports Injuries
- KIN_V 330 (3) Clinical Exercise Physiology
Students must complete the following upper-level courses in fourth year:
- KIN_V 422 (3) Professional Practice in Kinesiology
- Students must complete three courses from the Practicing Kinesiology Pathway elective list, with each course drawn from a different subject area. Students intending to pursue certification with the British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists (BCAK) must ensure that at least one elective meets the Special Populations Health criteria (*). If KIN_V 320 is used to satisfy both the Clinical Kinesiology Assessment and Clinical Exercise Prescription categories, an additional course must be completed from any of the 14 core subject areas recognized by the BCAK.
Practicing Kinesiology Pathway electives:
- Indigenous Perspectives in Kinesiology: KIN_V 368
- Leadership Education for Pedagogy and Physical Activity: KIN_V 344*, 345, 442
- Neuromechanics: KIN_V 316, 411*, 413*, 415*
- Psychology of Movement: KIN_V 351*, 353, 453, 450, 459
- Sociocultural Studies: KIN_V 360, 363, 460, 464
- Systems Biology, Exercise & Health: KIN_V 310, 335, 424*, 434, 435, 438*
Practicing Kinesiology Pathway Requirements
| KIN_V 140 | 3 |
| KIN_V 220 | 3 |
| KIN_V 320 | 3 |
| KIN_V 324 | 3 |
| KIN_V 330 | 3 |
| KIN_V 422 | 3 |
| Practicing Kinesiology Pathway Electives | 9 |
Clinical Exercise Physiology Specialization
Students pursuing the Practicing Kinesiology Pathway may choose to further specialize in Clinical Exercise Physiology. Students will develop and apply knowledge of exercise and education as a prevention, treatment, and management modality of chronic disease and to support healthy lifestyles.
By completing the required courses and fieldwork, students will be well-prepared to challenge the Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification exams offered by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. This will prepare graduates to work with individuals with more complex, symptomatic chronic conditions, and disabilities in clinical settings.
Bachelor of Kinesiology students interested in specializing in Clinical Exercise Physiology must formally apply. Applications are submitted at the end of third year following the completion of the 300-level requirements in the Practicing Kinesiology Pathway. Admission is competitive and considers both academic performance and the quality of the submitted application.
In addition to the courses required to complete the Practicing Kinesiology Pathway, students admitted into the Clinical Exercise Physiology Specialization need to complete the following upper-level courses in fourth year:
- KIN_V 421 (3) Advanced Exercise Prescription for Chronic Conditions: Evidence-Informed Practice
- KIN_V 423 (3) Clinical Exercise Assessment
Students must complete a minimum of three credits of clinical exercise work-integrated learning courses from those listed below:
- KIN_V 471 (3) Exercise for Neurological and Balance Conditions
- KIN_V 473 (6) Kinesiology Field Work in Primary Care Medicine
- KIN_V 475 (6) Physical Activity for People with Spinal Cord Injury
Students must also take at least one KIN_V elective course from the Clinical Exercise Physiology Specialization electives list that meets the criteria for Special Populations Exercise Physiology (**). Those courses include:
Clinical Exercise Physiology Specialization electives:
- Neuromechanics: KIN_V 411**, 413**, 415**
- Systems Biology, Exercise & Health: KIN_V 424**, 435**, 438**
- Psychology of Movement: KIN_V 351**
Students admitted to the specialization will be registered in the Neuromechanical and Physiological Sciences Option. Completion of the Clinical Exercise Physiology Specialization satisfies a minimum of six of the seven required upper-level KIN_V option courses and at least 12 of the 15 upper-level KIN_V elective credits required for the B.Kin. degree.
Clinical Exercise Physiology Specialization Requirements
| Practicing Kinesiology Pathway Requirements (see above) | 18 |
| KIN_V 421 | 3 |
| KIN_V 423 | 3 |
| KIN_V 471, KIN_V 473 or KIN_V 475 | 3 or 6 |
| Practicing Kinesiology Pathway Electives | 9 |
| Clinical Exercise Physiology Specialization Elective | 3 |