Kinesiology (Performance Psychology) - Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Kinesiology prepares students for many fields in allied health. Career choices include, but are not limited to, medical school, physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, corporate health and wellness, chiropractic medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and much more.
The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree program can be completed in one of three concentration areas: Exercise Science, Performance Psychology, or Physical Education. For the required credit hours, see the program descriptions below. Regardless of the concentration, students are required to complete 120 total semester hours for the Kinesiology degree. Additionally, students pursuing a Kinesiology degree will be responsible for ensuring that they complete 48 upper division credits (3000 (300) and 4000 (400) level courses). Kinesiology students must maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA to enroll in most upper-division SPMD courses. ENGL 1110G, Area II General Education courses, Kinesiology courses, and Approved Electives must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education, Viewing a Wider World, and program-specific courses to total a minimum of 120 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits but may be needed to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
Information about Kinesiology and potential career opportunities may be obtained at the Department of Kinesiology (https://kind.nmsu.edu/), Activity Center 204, phone 575-646-2215.
With a concentration in Performance Psychology, students can also receive a Minor in Psychology. Official Minor documentation and verification of completion must be approved through the Department of Psychology.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Area I: Communications | ||
| English Composition - Level 1 | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 4 | |
| Composition I | 4 | |
| Composition I Honors | 4 | |
| English Composition - Level 2 1 | ||
| Choose one from the following: (ENGL 2210G or ENGL 2215G recommended) | 3 | |
| Advanced Composition | ||
| Professional and Technical Communication Honors | 3 | |
| Advanced Technical and Professional Communication | 3 | |
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 | |
| Oral Communication 1 | 3 | |
| Area II: Mathematics 1, 2 | 3-4 | |
| College Algebra (or higher) | 3 | |
| Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences | 11 | |
Area III: Laboratory Sciences Courses (8 credits) (Preferred Below) 1 | ||
Choose two (8 credits) of the following: (BIOL 2110G recommended) | 4 | |
| Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution and Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory | 3 | |
| Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | 4 | |
| General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | 4 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab | 3 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics II and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab | 3 | |
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (3 credits) 1 | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Area V: Humanities 1 | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| Viewing a Wider World 4 | 6 | |
| Departmental/College Requirements | ||
| Choose three of the following: | 3 | |
| Individual Sport: | ||
| Team Sport: | ||
| Swim I: | ||
| Yoga: | ||
| Pilates: | ||
| Training: | ||
| Fitness: | ||
| Aerobics: | ||
| Running: | ||
| Lifeguarding | ||
| Ballet I | ||
| Introduction to Ballroom Dance | ||
| Introduction to Argentine Tango | ||
| Flamenco I | ||
| Modern Dance I | ||
| Jazz Dance I | ||
| Tap Dance I | ||
| Introduction to Country Western Dance | ||
| Introduction to Latin Social Dance | ||
| Introduction to West Coast Swing Dance | ||
| Hip-Hop Dance | ||
| SPMD 1310 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 3 |
| SPMD 1350 | Social Foundations of Physical Activity | 3 |
| SPMD 2210 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| SPMD 2210L | Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory | 1 |
| SPMD 2250 | Fitness for Health and Sport | 3 |
| SPMD 3210 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| SPMD 3210L | Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| SPMD 3410 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| SPMD 3450 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| SPMD 3450L | Biomechanics Laboratory | 1 |
| SPMD 3550 | Psychology of Sport | 3 |
| SPMD 3650 | Motor Development | 3 |
| SPMD 3610 | Health and Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| SPMD 3710 | Motor Learning | 3 |
| SPMD 4998 | Internship | 6 |
| Psychology Courses | 18 | |
Students can select the official Psychology Minor requiring 18 credit hours in PSYC 5 | ||
| Non-Departmental Requirements (in addition to Gen.Ed/VWW) | ||
| Choose one from the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Statistical Applications | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Statistical Methods | ||
| Inferential Statistics in Sport and Exercise Science | ||
| Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 6 | 15 | |
| Choose from the following list | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Microbiology Lab | ||
| Public Health Microbiology | ||
| Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution | ||
| Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Genetics | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| An Introduction to Cancer | ||
| Human Osteology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Virology | ||
| General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | ||
| General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Organic Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics I | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II Lab | ||
| Introduction to Athletic Training | ||
| Medical Terminology | ||
| Inferential Statistics in Sport and Exercise Science | ||
| Advanced Exercise Physiology | ||
| Principles of Strength and Conditioning | ||
| Principles of Strength and Conditioning Laboratory | ||
| Exercise Testing and Prescription | ||
| Exercise for Special Populations | ||
| Pathophysiology and Human Function(s) | ||
| Neurophysiology and Human Function | ||
| Adapted Physical Education | ||
| Psychology of Coaching in Sport | ||
| Nutrition and Metabolism of Sport | ||
| Problems | ||
| Internship | 6 | |
| Human Nutrition | 3 | |
| Nutrition Throughout the Lifecycle | 3 | |
| Applied Nutrition Research | 3 | |
| Advanced Nutrition | 3 | |
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 | |
| Developmental Psychology | 3 | |
| Cognitive Psychology | 3 | |
| Learning | 3 | |
| Health Psychology | 3 | |
| Psychology and the Brain | 3 | |
| Health Promotion for the Older Adult | 3 | |
| Adulthood and Aging | 3 | |
| Biochemistry I | 3 | |
| Human Growth and Behavior | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication Disorders | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 120-122 | |
- 1
See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses
- 2
A Mathematics General Education course is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter the course of their choosing first.
- 3
Students who select A ST 311 Statistical Applications or SPMD 3350 Inferential Statistics in Sport and Exercise Science will need to take an additional General Education course to complete the requirement.
- 4
See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses
- 5
Courses used for PSY minor cannot also be used for credit as electives.
- 6
A list of approved electives can be found on the Department of Kinesiology website https://kind.nmsu.edu
A Suggested Plan of Study for Students
This roadmap assumes student placement in MATH 1220G College Algebra and ENGL 1110G Composition I. The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| Choose one from the following: | 4 | |
| Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution and Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| PSYC 1110G | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Area VI: Creative and Fina Arts | 3 | |
| SPMD 1310 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Area I: English Comp Level 2 | 3 | |
| Area II: Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Choose one from the following: | 4 | |
| Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II | ||
| Area V: Humanities | 3 | |
| SPMD 1350 | Social Foundations of Physical Activity | 3 |
| Credits | 16-17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Area I: Oral Communications | 3 | |
| General Education Elective | 3-4 | |
| SPMD 2210 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| SPMD 2210L | Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory | 1 |
| SPMD 2250 | Fitness for Health and Sport | 3 |
| Viewing Wider World | 3 | |
| Credits | 16-17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| SPMD 3210 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| SPMD 3210L | Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| SPMD 3410 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| Psychology Course-See Psychology Dept Courses (300/400) | 3 | |
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Statistical Applications | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Statistical Methods | ||
| Inferential Statistics in Sport and Exercise Science | ||
| Viewing Wider World | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| SPMD 3450 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| SPMD 3450L | Biomechanics Laboratory | 1 |
| SPMD 3550 | Psychology of Sport | 3 |
| SPMD 3650 | Motor Development | 3 |
| Psychology Course-See Psychology Dept Courses (300/400) | 3 | |
| Psychology Course-See Psychology Dept Courses (300/400) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| SPMD 3610 | Health and Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| SPMD 3710 | Motor Learning | 3 |
| Psychology Course-See Psychology Dept Courses (300/400) | 3 | |
| Psychology Course-See Psychology Dept Courses (300/400) | 3 | |
| Psychology Course-See Psychology Dept Courses (300/400) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Physical Education Course (PHED) | 1 | |
| Physical Education Course (PHED) | 1 | |
| Physical Education Course (PHED) | 1 | |
| Kinesiology Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Kinesiology Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Kinesiology Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Kinesiology Approved Elective: If Needed to enroll in 15 credits for Financial Aid | ||
| Credits | 12 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Kinesiology Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Kinesiology Approved Elective | 3 | |
| SPMD 4998 | Internship | 6 |
| Kinesiology Approved Elective: If Needed to enroll in 15 credits for Financial Aid | ||
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 120-122 | |
- 1
These courses may have prerequisites and/or co-requisites, and it is the students responsibility for checking and fulfilling all those requirements.
- 2
See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 3
See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 4
A list of approved electives can be found at https://kind.nmsu.edu/kin/.