About this Program
The Kinesiology curriculum prepares students to become professionals in the exercise/fitness, sport coaching strength/conditioning, and health and physical education fields. Students who wish to pursue careers in the exercise/fitness and strength/conditioning fields complete a major in Kinesiology along with a Fitness Specialist Concentration. This option is for individuals interested in working in a fitness environment in roles such as an exercise physiologist, strength and conditioning coach, fitness club programmer, or group activity instructor. Students are prepared to take the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologist Exam or the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Exam. This concentration also prepares students to pursue clinical or applied graduate degrees in the Kinesiology and Exercise Science fields such as athletic training, exercise physiology and more advanced levels of strength and conditioning.
Students who wish to pursue careers in the sport coaching and health and physical education fields complete a major in Kinesiology along with a Health and Physical Education Pedagogy Concentration. Students who wish to teach in the K-12 public school system must also complete the Teacher Certification courses and the Teacher Performance Assessment. Teacher certification students can obtain a Washington State Certification and K-12 health and fitness endorsement to teach in public schools. Gonzaga’s teacher certification program is recognized by Interstate New Teacher Assessment & Support Consortium (InTASC), so candidates will be qualified to teach in any state that is part of InTASC. This concentration also prepares students to pursue graduate degrees in teaching, administration, coaching, or curriculum and instruction.
