Become a catalyst for promoting the benefits of regular physical activity and healthy lifestyles. With a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology, build your dream career as a physical, occupational, or recreational therapist; rehabilitation aid; personal trainer; physiologist; chiropractor; sports psychologist; and more.
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Sports Medicine and join the high-demand health and wellness sector, where career opportunities are growing dramatically to serve an aging population, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Our Kinesiology program is designed for full-time students who have already completed their lower-division coursework at a community college or four-year institution. You’ll learn the fundamental principles of Kinesiology, anatomy, and physiology with an emphasis on sports medicine — including injury prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, return to sport, physiological response to exercise, sport and exercise psychology, biomechanics, and nutrition. With the solid background our Kinesiology program offers, you will be given every opportunity to become an outstanding candidate for graduate programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, podiatric medicine, physician assistant, and nursing.
A unique feature of this Bachelor’s program in Kinesiology is the Student Success course series, in which each semester students learn key elements to maximize success both as university students and once they complete their degrees. Learn in a vibrant and dynamic environment of online and in-person classroom settings, including several courses with hands-on, experiential learning in SMU’s state-of-the-art Motion Analysis Research Center.
Admission to the BS Kinesiology program is competitive. Applicants are considered for admission based upon the following criteria:
A minimum of 60 semester/90 quarter units of transferable coursework, including the completion of all prerequisites with a grade of “C” or better by the time of entry into the program
A minimum recommended GPA of 2.5 in all prerequisite coursework
Two letters of reference: one from a faculty member, preferably a math or science instructor. References from family and friends will not be considered.
Short answer responses submitted with the application
The information below outlines the prerequisite requirements for entry to the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Sports Medicine program.
All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better by the start of the program. Although it is acceptable to have courses planned or in progress, it is in the student’s best interest to have as many courses completed as possible at the time of application. It is not possible to complete any prerequisites concurrently with the Kinesiology program.
Prerequisite Requirements: 19 Semester Units (except as otherwise specified)
Introduction to Kinesiology, 3.0
Human Anatomy with lab, 4.0
Human Physiology with lab, 4.0
Biology with lab, 4.0
Physics with lab, 4.0
Recommended Courses from the following areas: 41 Semester Units
Oral and Written Communication, x.0 max.
Critical Thinking, x.0 max.
Life Sciences, x.0 max.
Science Labs, x.0 max.
Mathematics, x.0 max.
Arts & Humanities, x.0 max.
Social Sciences, x.0 max.
Languages, x.0 max.
Physical Education, x.0 max.
Application Fees
The application fee for Kinesiology is $68 and is collected at the AHCAS website. The university does not charge an additional admission fee.
Non-Refundable Deposits and Fees
Students offered admission pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $350 to secure their seats in the class.
Application fees and tuition deposits are non-refundable, whether or not the student withdraws in the first week of the term.
Policies and procedures for refunds of tuition and fees can be found in the Student Handbook and Catalog.
Tuition Calculator
There is a tuition calculator that provides a detailed summary of annual tuition, all fees for the program, and a cost estimator for the entire program.
Your undergraduate education at Samuel Merritt University is an investment in your future. Not only could you pursue a rewarding career in health and physical activity, but Samuel Merritt University graduates have a loan default rate of less than one percent. This means that students who borrowed to attend Samuel Merritt University have found employment in their chosen field that allows them to pay off their loans.
The Kinesiology program is proud to offer a variety of ways to assist in funding your education including scholarships, work study, and student loans. The first step in applying for financial aid at SMU is to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Once you receive your financial aid package, check this budget against your actual living expenses and we can make necessary adjustments to meet your needs.
You can also review more detailed information about financial aid, scholarships, budgeting, and total cost on the Financial Aid and Scholarships page.
At SMU, we believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Having a student body that reflects our diverse local community that can work with clients from diverse backgrounds is important to us.
Integrate theoretical knowledge, scientific evidence, and practical skills to mitigate injury risk and optimize human performance for clients of diverse abilities and backgrounds.
Critically analyze and apply research findings in the provision of up-to-date, evidence-based client services.
Effectively use data, information, and technology to support decision-making in evaluating and providing client care and advancing client education.
Collaborate effectively as members of interprofessional teams.
Engage in critical reflection to enhance experiential learning to improve the delivery of client services.
Provide ethical person-centered, compassionate, and caring services to clients and the wider community.
Engage in a personal philosophy of self-care, professionalism, and lifelong learning.
Practice—Enter practice, enter residency education, or practice in the enhanced role for which they have been prepared.
Ethics, Professionalism, Compassion—Embody their ethical and professional responsibilities to effectively serve individuals from diverse backgrounds, their profession, and society with compassion, caring, and humility.
Teamwork—Communicate and collaborate effectively as members of interprofessional teams.
Structural and Social Determinants of Health—Integrate an understanding of structural and social determinants of health into professional practice.
Clinical Reasoning—Provide person-centered care using sound clinical reasoning informed by evidence from research and practice.
Leadership—Advocate, as agents of change, to improve health and healthcare, especially for structurally vulnerable populations.
Informatics—Effectively use data, information, and technology to support decision-making in complex systems.
Self-Care—Engage in self-care practices for personal health and wellness.
