Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in Concentration in Exercise Science

Catalog Year 2024-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for KINESIOLOGY

Transfer Guidance

Admission into the Kinesiology-Exercise Science Program at JMU

• Students who meet the requirements for guaranteed admission to JMU are NOT guaranteed admission into the Kinesiology-Exercise Science program.

• To be eligible for guaranteed admission to JMU, students must complete an approved transferable associate degree from their Virginia community college with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students who do not qualify for guaranteed admission are encouraged to apply to JMU through the regular admission process. For additional details about requirements for guaranteed admission, please see the JMU letter of intent for your community college: www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer-gaa.shtml.

• Students must meet the additional criteria below to be eligible for competitive admission into the Kinesiology-Exercise Science program after completing KIN 100 and KIN 202: Admission is competitive, and grades in the following courses are considered: CHEM 131, BIO 270, and BIO 290 (CHM 111, BIO 141 and BIO 142 at VCCS), as well as KIN 100 and KIN 202 (taken at JMU).

• Find more information about admission into the exercise science program at https://www.jmu.edu/chbs/kinesiology/es/admission.shtml.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://www.jmu.edu/transfer/

• Register Intent to Transfer: Students can notify JMU of their interest in transferring through College Connect at www.TransferVirginia.org. Transfer applicants from a VCCS institution intending to apply through the Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA) must submit a Letter of Intent prior to applying. Requirements and forms are available at: https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer-GAA.shtml.

• Admission Application: By March 1 for Fall or October 15 for Spring at https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/apply-online.shtml

• Financial Aid: https://www.jmu.edu/financialaid

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Deadline is March 1. Learn more at studentaid.gov.

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Students interested in pursuing one of the pre-professional health (PPH) minors at JMU sometimes choose to major in Kinesiology-Exercise Science. The coursework with the Kinesiology major can be especially well aligned with pre-PT, pre-AT, and pre-OT. If you are considering a PPH minor, you are encouraged to also review information from the Office of Pre-Professional Health Advising at: https://www.jmu.edu/pph/index.shtml and https://www.jmu.edu/pph/2023-2024minors.pdf. Note that in some cases, graduate schools prefer you to take certain science courses, such as anatomy and physiology, at your 4-year university rather than community college.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year.

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and James Madison University within your first year. College Connect available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• Kinesiology is the study of human movement, performance, and function through the application of scientific principles. Therefore, the curriculum includes study in areas such as: biomechanics, exercise physiology, sport psychology, sport history, motor development, sport sociology, adapted physical activity, and teaching / exercise leadership. The Exercise Science (ES) concentration has significant lab science requirements (chemistry, physics, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, etc.).

• Students must meet specific departmental admissions criteria to be fully admitted into the program (for transfer students, full admission typically occurs after the first semester at JMU).

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: An approved transferable associate degree from a Virginia Community College will waive general education requirements at JMU. The list of approved transferable associate degrees can be found at www.jmu.edu/transfer/vccs-transfer/asdegrees.shtml.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: Students who complete a transferable associate degree from a Virginia Community College through Dual Enrollment (DE) will not be eligible for guaranteed admission but will receive the general education waiver at JMU. DE associate degree earners who want to make progress toward their intended major should follow the curriculum in this guide.

• Credit for Prior Learning: Credit for prior learning may be awarded differently at JMU than at your previous institution. JMU accepts and reviews AP, IB CIE, and CLEP examinations for all students with eligible scores. JMU will complete an independent review of the test score to apply credit to your JMU student record. Other credit for prior learning is awarded on a per case basis for the ADP and RN-BSN programs in consultation with the department of expertise. Credit for learning acquired in military service is awarded by the registrar's office using the ACE guide credit recommendation for study/experience listed on the military transcript and in consultation with the department of expertise.

• Catalog Year: Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at JMU.

Is This College Right For Me?

• JMU is a mid to large size institution that behaves more like a smaller institution. Faculty and staff hold students as the top priority. JMU has a 96% satisfaction rate. 88% of classes have fewer than 50 students. JMU is the #1 most recommended public university in the US by the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education; JMU is the #1 Best College for Employment in Virginia according to U.S. Department of Education statistics compiled by Zippia. JMU has the highest post-graduation job levels of all Virginia colleges. Learn more about our college at www.jmu.edu and www.TransferVirginia.org.

Did You Know That…

• There is no limit to the number of credits you can transfer to JMU, but 50% of the credits required for graduation in your major must be taken at a 4-year college or university, and 25% must be taken at JMU. (Most JMU majors require 120 credits, so 60 must come from a 4-year and 30 must be taken at JMU.)

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree.

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at JMU.

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Program Successes & Highlights

• The Department of Kinesiology strives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout all educational endeavors and offers professional development for our students through comprehensive, accredited curricula and practical fieldwork experiences, as well as innovative extracurricular programming and state-of-the-art facilities.

• Practical Fieldwork Experience: The Exercise Science concentration requires two fieldwork experiences, which can be from any area that is related to exercise science. Many students explore professional opportunities in physical therapy, occupational therapy, or athletic training. Students may opt to pursue a study abroad experience in Australia as one of the fieldwork experiences.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• Generally, two-thirds of transfer applicants are admitted to JMU. Competitive applicants will have mostly As & Bs and have completed at least one class in each of our four core areas (English, mathematics, lab science, and social science).

• JMU defines a transfer student as a student that has graduated from high school (or holds a GED equivalency) AND has taken courses in college after high school graduation.

• Learn more about applying at https://www.jmu.edu/transfer/ or www.TransferVirginia.org.

Do More With Your Degree!

• After earning a B.S. in Kinesiology, there are numerous opportunities to continue your professional development. Students advance immediately to careers or pursue additional education, often at JMU, in such programs as the 33- to 36-credit program leading to a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Physiology, as well as the other Master of Science programs in Athletic Training, Kinesiology (Nutrition and Physical Activity), Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, and Sports and Recreation Leadership.

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• The Exercise Science curriculum includes two required fieldwork experiences, including KIN 381: Practicum (90 hours) and KIN 481: Internship (160 hours). You can read more about these requirements here: https://www.jmu.edu/chbs/kinesiology/es/practicum-internship.shtml.