Kinesiology Major

Kinesiology is the study of human mechanics and body movements. This major focuses on a range of issues including including health, wellness, rehabilitation, therapy, exercise, human movement and athletics. As a Kinesiology major at Concordia University Irvine, you will study God's greatest creation, the human body, how it moves, why it moves, and the beauty of that movement. If you are interested in teaching, occupational therapy, allied health professions including nursing, coaching, physical therapy, or fitness this is the area of study for you. Additional areas of pursuit for Kinesiology majors include sport psychology, sport writing, and sport history.

Choose from 3 areas of specialization to focus your Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree:

Kinesiology Courses

This major provides you with the knowledge to assist individuals in obtaining optimal health, physical skill and fitness. The BS in Kinesiology utilizes comprehensive coursework concerned with improving the health and wellbeing of people and includes a strong science foundation, lab and research opportunities, practical experiences, and community outreach initiatives. The core courses provide a broad overall health and science preparation. You can then choose to focus your degree in a specialized area of emphasis:

Kinesiology Sample Courses

BIO 246: Human Anatomy and Physiology I
4

First of a two-semester sequence in human anatomy and physiology. Topics include the structure and function of cells, tissues, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Introduces common human disease processes. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis. Laboratory component includes anatomical studies using microscopy and dissection and the study of physiological concepts via experimentation. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO 111 or consent of instructor. Offered annually (fall semester).

KIN 220: Foundations of Human Movement Studies
3

This course will introduce and explore the broad field of human movement, exercise and physical activity. This course will introduce students to the domains and disciplines of study used to understand human movement, exercise and physical activity. Students will learn how to read, understand, critique, and write research articles the discipline of Kinesiology.

KIN 320: Historical, Social, Cultural Foundations of Sport and P.E.
3

This course will present and discuss the philosophical, historical, and sociological constructs relevant to sport and physical education. Philosophy of sport will explore ways to understand sport involvement. History of sport will be explored from Ancient Greece to modern times. Sociology of sport will be explored regarding current challenges, relevant issues, and controversies in sport and physical education.

KIN 365: Sport Psychology
3

The role of psychomotor and cognitive factors in human movement and sport settings are discussed and explored in this course along with selected topics of such as personality theory, arousal, attribution theory, achievement motivation, anxiety, sport performance interventions, goal setting, attention styles, aggression, social facilitation, social reinforcement, and imagery.

KIN 403: Biomechanics
4

This introductory course will look at the basic principles of anatomical mechanics and their applications to human movement including an analysis of efficient movement. Lab time is included in the schedule.

Opportunities for Kinesiology Majors

Your study of human movement can apply to a wide range of careers, including Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Nurse, Physician Assistant, Chiropractor, Respiratory Therapist, Radiologist, and many others. Our graduates are well-equipped for graduate education for healthcare professions.

Academic Opportunities

As a Kinesiology major, you can choose to combine your emphasis with a second emphasis (dual emphasis), a related Kinesiology minor, another major (dual major), or a pre-professional program. You can also transition to one of our Master’s programs in either Coaching and Exercise Sciences or Coaching and Athletics Administration.

Extracurricular Activities

CUI offers many opportunities for you to become involved with on-campus events, clubs, and organizations.

Athletes in Action
Behavioral Science Club
CU Judo Club
Eta Psi Chapter of Phi Epsilon Kappa Honorary Fraternity
Intramural Sports

Real World Experience

Every Kinesiology student is required to complete 126 minimum contact hours for the semester-long practicum. Concordia University Irvine's Kinesiology Program students have worked with professionals and athletic trainers at the following:

Corona Del Mar High School
Crean Lutheran High School
Discovery Sports Complex
Hoag Hospital
Kinetic Chain Physical Therapy
Memorial Care Hospital

Mission Viejo High School
Orisemba High School
Pro sport Physical Therapy
Raush Physical Therapy
REPAIR Sports Institute
Stark High-Intensity Training

Learning Facilities

CUI's Kinesiology lab features equipment for use in Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Measurement, Exercise Science and Statistics classes.

Learning Facilities

CUI's department of Kinesiology is host to three different lab settings which offer multiple opportunities for lab based instruction and the formation of undergraduate research. These dedicated spaces serve as central locations for students to apply what they have learned in didactic instruction to the development of psychomotor laboratory skill sets of working with human subjects. The Kinesiology laboratory settings are fully equipped for students to become competent in analyzing therapeutic modalites, therapeutic and corrective exercise, strength and conditioning, cardio-respiratory efficiency and capacity, electromyography, body composition and wellness screening, and cardiac rehabilitation.

Meet Your Professors

The Concordia Kinesiology faculty is committed to the education of each individual student. Our small class sizes allow for plenty of hands-on learning. The rigor of the program makes the graduates of the BS Kinesiology desirable in the allied health industry.

Dr. Cliff Pawley

Cliff Pawley, EdD, ATC, brings over 21 years as an Athletic Training and Kinesiology instructor. In addition to teaching, he serves as CUI’s Faculty Athletics Representative and Chair of the Athletics Advisory Council. He was certified by the National Athletic Trainer's Association Board of Certification in 1990. Dr. Pawley holds current memberships with the National Athletic Trainer's Association (NATA) , the Far West Athletic Trainer’s Association (FWATA), and the California Athletic Trainers Association (CATA).

Associate Professor of Kinesiology, Faculty Athletics Representative

Cliff Pawley, EdD, ATC, brings over 21 years as an Athletic Training and Kinesiology instructor. In addition to teaching, he serves as CUI’s Faculty Athletics Representative and Chair of the Athletics Advisory Council. He was certified by the National Athletic Trainer's Association Board of Certification in 1990. Dr. Pawley holds current memberships with the National Athletic Trainer's Association (NATA) , the Far West Athletic Trainer’s Association (FWATA), and the California Athletic Trainers Association (CATA).
Dr. Vance Tammen

Dr. Vance Tammen serves as the Chair of the Kinesiology department in the School of Health and Human Sciences. He earned a BS and Ph.D. from University of Illinois and Master of Science from Kansas State University. His research specialty is the social psychology of sport and physical activity, focused on the motivation of coaches and athletes and wellness across the lifespan. He has published numerous papers on these topics and has done thousands of hours of sport psychology service to athletes, coaches, & organizations.

Kinesiology Department Chair

Dr. Vance Tammen serves as the Chair of the Kinesiology department in the School of Health and Human Sciences. He earned a BS and Ph.D. from University of Illinois and Master of Science from Kansas State University. His research specialty is the social psychology of sport and physical activity, focused on the motivation of coaches and athletes and wellness across the lifespan. He has published numerous papers on these topics and has done thousands of hours of sport psychology service to athletes, coaches, & organizations.
Dr. Terry Olson

Dr. Terry Olson serves as the Dean of the School of Health and Human Sciences following appointments as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Chair of the department of Exercise and Sports Science. Dr. Olson’s educational background includes a BS from New Mexico State University and a MS and Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Olson’s current research emphasis is on self-regulation and critical thinking of pre-service teachers in physical education.

Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Terry Olson serves as the Dean of the School of Health and Human Sciences following appointments as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Chair of the department of Exercise and Sports Science. Dr. Olson’s educational background includes a BS from New Mexico State University and a MS and Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Olson’s current research emphasis is on self-regulation and critical thinking of pre-service teachers in physical education.
Nathan Meier

Nathan Meier Ph.D. recently moved to Irvine from Ames, IA, where he completed his B.S. '06 (Business: Management of Information Systems; German Language), M.S. '13 (Kinesiology: Exercise Psychology) and Ph.D. '18 (Kinesiology: Physical Activity Epidemiology). Dr. Meier has previously served as the project manager or recruitment coordinator for a number of research studies in the Physical Activity Epidemiology Lab (Dept. of Kinesiology, ISU) under Dr. Duck-chul Lee, his advisor, and he continued to guide undergraduate research in Kinesiology at CUI.

Associate Professor or Kinesiology

Nathan Meier Ph.D. recently moved to Irvine from Ames, IA, where he completed his B.S. '06 (Business: Management of Information Systems; German Language), M.S. '13 (Kinesiology: Exercise Psychology) and Ph.D. '18 (Kinesiology: Physical Activity Epidemiology). Dr. Meier has previously served as the project manager or recruitment coordinator for a number of research studies in the Physical Activity Epidemiology Lab (Dept. of Kinesiology, ISU) under Dr. Duck-chul Lee, his advisor, and he continued to guide undergraduate research in Kinesiology at CUI.

More Faculty

One of our greatest assets at Concordia University Irvine is our dedicated faculty. In a small learning environment, our professors care about you—not just your performance—and they cultivate lifelong mentoring relationships with the students they teach.

Kinesiology Faculty Talk to a Professor

Get in Touch

For more information about the Kinesiology major at Concordia University Irvine, we invite you to contact us directly.

Dr. Vance Tammen
Kinesiology Department Chair
[email protected]
(949) 214-3271

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