Program Description
In this program, students earn both an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Kinesiology, and a Diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion. Students will learn how the body works, how to make it work better, what causes health issues and how to prevent illness. They will develop a strong scientific and theoretical background and apply this knowledge to healthy populations, elite athletes, individuals with chronic diseases and people with physical challenges. Students will confidently apply themselves in any environment, such as health promotion, fitness, rehabilitation, coaching and research.
In the first two years of the program, students learn the fundamentals of the human body. They learn anatomy in a human cadaver lab in your first year: a rare undergraduate experience. Labs extend classroom content through applied techniques and hands-on lessons. They are integrated into every semester of study and enhance each student's learning experience of anatomy, exercise prescription, biomechanics, fitness assessment and more.
Students will take at least four practicum courses, focusing on current industry trends to gain hands-on experience in an area of interest. Courses include Functional Ability Evaluation; Athletic Bandaging and Taping Techniques; Martial Arts for Group Fitness Training; and Forensic Kinesiology. In the third and fourth years, courses focus on performance and clinical applications of exercise and nutrition theory.
Students can complete 87 to 241 placement hours during their final two years. All students have an on-and off-campus placement in third-year. On campus, students will work one-on-one with a client to help reach their fitness and health goals. Off campus, they will work with a business/organization offering applied experience. In fourth year, students choose a second off-campus placement with an independent research study or complete a research thesis project in a lab setting.
With this degree, students are eligible to pursue the following designations with several professional organizations such as Registered Kinesiologist with the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario; Certified Personal Trainer; Certified Exercise Physiologist; and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.