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Kinesiology and Health Science

FACULTY Professor Tippett (chair), Peterson, Strubhar; Associate Professor Pratt; Assistant Professors S. Bertram, Dominguese, Durr, Kelly, Latva, Way.

Coordinator of Health Science Advising and Academic Experiences: R. Bertram

The Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a kinesiology and health science major in addition to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree. For more information regarding the D.P.T. degree, please refer to the Graduate Catalog.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science is to develop versatile individuals in a student-centered and collaborative environment that prepares our graduates to lead, educate, advocate, and serve in a dynamic healthcare environment. 

Kinesiology and Health Science Major

The major provides students with requisite knowledge and skills for post graduate study in a variety of healthcare fields as well as entry level positions in the workforce. Our graduates have gone on to successfully complete post baccalaureate degrees in physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, medicine, athletic training, chiropractic, counseling, public health and other professions. Graduates entering the workforce have gained employment in medical sales, pharmaceutical sales, healthcare management and administration, as well as various positions in the health and fitness arena.

Admission Requirements

In addition to University and College of Education and Health Sciences requirements, the following are recommended for students to receive full consideration for admission to the Kinesiology and Health Science major as a first-year student:

  1. a minimum of three years of high school mathematics and science (biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology are recommended.
  2. SAT minimum score of 1,100 or ACT minimum score of 22.

Areas of Focus

Majors typically pursue course work associated with one of three distinct tracks or areas of focus. One track is geared towards students pursuing graduate study in health care professions such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and athletic training. Another common track or area of focus is for students wishing to pursue professions in medicine, physician assistant or chiropractic. The third area of focus is for students wishing to pursue post-graduate study in a non-direct patient care capacity or students wishing to immediately enter the workforce following graduation.

In addition to required coursework students are required to choose a minor course of studies. Students are encouraged to explore the various options for their required minor and discuss their plans with their academic advisor before declaring a minor prior to the end of the sophomore year.

Major Requirements (70-76 total hours)

Required Core Courses (65 hours)

  • BIO 111/113: Introduction to Cell Biology - 4 hrs.
  • BIO 112/114: Introduction to Ecology and Evolution - 4 hrs.
  • BIO 230/231: Human Anatomy and Physiology I - 4 hrs.
  • BIO 232/233: Human Anatomy and Physiology II - 4 hrs.
  • CHM 110/111: General Chemistry I – 4 hrs.
  • CHM 116/117: General Chemistry II – 4 hrs.
  • CHM 302 Medical Terminology or NUR 391 Medical Terminology -1 hr.
  • FCS 202 Food and Nutrition - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 110 Introduction to Health Science - 1 hr.
  • KHS 210: Concepts in Personal Wellness and Fitness or KHS 230: Measurement in Physical Activity – 3 hrs.
  • KHS 310: Statistical Procedures in Health Sciences (PSY 205 Acceptable for neuroscience minors)  
  • KHS 320: Applied Physiology of Exercise – 3 hrs.
  • KHS 343: Motor Control and Motor Learning - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 460: Kinesiology – 3 hrs.
  • KHS 470: Health Science Applications of Exercise Prescription or KHS 480: Motion Analysis – 3 hours
  • MTH 115: Brief Calculus with Applications I or MTH 121: Calculus I – 4 hrs.
  • PHY 107: General Physics I – 4 hrs.
  • PHY 108: General Physics II – 4 hrs.
  • PSY 101: Principles of Psychology – 3 hrs.

Required Elective Courses (4-10 hours)

Choose 3 electives. At least 2 courses must be from KHS. (KHS 210 or 230, 470 or 480 may be taken as an elective if not already used as a required course)

  • FCS 220 Consumer Issues in Health Care - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 304: Sports and Exercise Nutrition - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 210: Concepts in Personal Wellness and Fitness - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 230: Measurement in Physical Activity (EL) - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 300: Experiential Learning (EL) - 1-4 hrs.
  • KHS 306: Health Science Applications for Sports - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 343 Ethics of Healthcare – 3hrs.
  • KHS 350 Special Topics in Health Care – 3hrs.
  • KHS 380 Disability and Health in a Global Society (WI) – 3hrs.
  • KHS 425: Independent Study – 1-3hrs.
  • KHS 470: Health Science Application of Exercise Prescription - 3 hrs.
  • KHS 480: Motion Analysis - 3 hrs.
  • ML 350: Managing for Results in Organizations - 3 hrs.
  • NUR 217: Men’s Health Issues - 2 hrs.
  • NUR 219: Women’s Health Issues - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 303: Lifespan Developmental Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 311: Principles of Abnormal Psychology - 3 hrs.

*KHS students are required to graduate with a minor. KHS students should declare the minor area of study prior to completing their sophomore year.

*Kinesiology and Health Science majors will take HS 310 unless they are pursuing a neuroscience minor.

In addition to the required list of courses, students interested in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and athletic training are encouraged to choose as many Kinesiology and Health Science courses as possible and should consider enrolling in PSY 303: Lifespan Developmental Psychology and/or PSY 311: Principles of Abnormal Psychology. 

In addition to the required list of courses, students interested in physician assistant, medicine, and chiropractic are encouraged to enroll in BIO 202: Microbiology and Immunology, CHM 162: Fundamentals of Organic and Biochemistry.

In addition to the required list of courses, students not interested in graduate education or looking to enter the workforce after graduation are encouraged to pursue a minor course of studies. Past Health Science students have successfully completed a minor course of study in multiple areas. Some of the most common minors are Management and Leadership, Neuroscience, Foreign Language, Biology, Chemistry, and others.

At least 124 credit hours are required for the bachelor’s degree, with at least 40 credit hours at the 300 level or above. Students must also meet Bradley University Core Curriculum requirements.  Kinesiology and Health Science majors are required to take a minor, chosen in consultation with advisors in the Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science and in the minor department.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Post-baccalaureate educational programs and future employers seek well rounded students who are involved in activities outside of the classroom. Bradley offers more than 200 student organizations that provide opportunities for Health Science students to become engaged on campus and in the local community. The Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science sponsor two organizations that include the Health Science Organization; and a service dog training program called “Wags for Mags.” Health Science students have also served as tutors for local grade school and high school students who are patients at the Children’s Hospital of Illinois, have volunteered side by side with Department faculty for Special Olympics, and have participated in other community programs as well. Health Science students have also taken advantage of unique opportunities to study in London, Dublin, and other foreign cities associated with Bradley’s Study Abroad Program and in doing so have successfully completed the College of Education and Health Science Global Scholars Program. Students have also accompanied Doctor of Physical Therapy students and Department faculty on mission trips to the Dominican Republic.

The Doctorate of Physical Therapy

Freshmen admitted to the undergraduate program in Kinesiology and Health Science have the opportunity for early assurance (formerly known as direct admission) into Bradley’s graduate program if they meet the following main criteria:

  • all math and science courses must be taken at Bradley
  • students must attain a math, science and overall GPA of 3.4 at the end of the sophomore year and 3.5 at the end of the junior year.

In addition to the GPA requirements – student must meet the following criteria to remain eligible for the early assurance option:

Criteria to maintain the Early Assurance Option.

  1. First-year students must claim their early assurance with the Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science in the fall of their first year.
  2. After matriculation, all required math/science courses must be taken at Bradley. Advanced placement credit in the required math/science courses posted to their Bradley transcript will be accepted.
  1. Students must attain a math, science and overall GPA of 3.4 at the end of the sophomore year and 3.5 end of the junior year. Students must have a minimum of a B average in BIO 230/231: Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 232/233: Human Anatomy and Physiology II.
  2. The following courses must be completed by the beginning of the senior year: BIO: 111/113, BIO: 112/114, BIO 230/231, BIO 232/233, PHY 107/108, and MTH 115 or MTH 121.
  3. Prior to the beginning of senior year, a student must have a minimum of 40 hours of observation in a physical therapy clinic with a minimum of 8 hours in an inpatient, skilled nursing or acute care setting. Time observing in the Department’s Clinic for Fitness and Function does not count toward these observation hours.
  4. Early assurance cannot be deferred to the next application cycle.
  5. Students who have early assurance and will be graduating in 3 years must let the department know of their early graduation in the fall of their sophomore year. In addition, students graduating in 3 years must have a math, science and overall GPA 3.5 at the end of their sophomore year (second year) and apply through PTCAS in the fall of their final year (3rd year).
  6. Students MUST complete the application process to the DPT program through Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). This includes submitting GRE scores, completing all the items in the application and submitting all fees before the published deadlines.
  7. The GRE is waived for students satisfying early assurance requirements admission into Bradley's DPT program. Please note that other DPT programs may still require the GRE.
  8. Early assurance can be denied for the following reasons: not following the procedures above, not maintaining the required GPA, not completing the application through PTCAS, not meeting the required observation hours, demonstrating egregious behavior while a student at Bradley, demonstrating unprofessional behavior in classes taken at Bradley.

Sample Plan of Study

Following is a suggested plan of study for Kinesiology and Health Science Majors. Students should create a formal plan of study and discuss progress towards their degree with their advisors at least once a semester. Please note that course offerings can vary semester to semester. According to the Bradley University catalog, every candidate for a degree is personally responsible for meeting all requirements for graduation. No University official can relieve the student of this responsibility.

First Year - Fall Semester (16 hours)

  • BlO 111/113: Introduction to Cell Biology – 4 credit hours
  • CHM 110: General Chemistry I – 3 credit hours
  • CHM 111: General Chemistry I Lab - 1 credit hour
  • MTH 115 or 121: Calculus I – 4 credit hours
  • Bradley Core Curriculum Course – 3 credit hours
  • KHS 110: Intro to Health Science – 1 credit hour

First Year - Spring Semester (14 hours)

  • BlO 112/114: Introduction to Ecology and Evolution – 4 credit hours
  • CHM 116: General Chemistry II - 3 credit hours
  • CHM 117: General Chemistry II Lab – 1 credit hour
  • PSY 101: Principles of Psychology – 3 credit hours
  • Bradley Core Curriculum Course – 3 credit hours 

Sophomore - Fall Semester (16 hours)

  • PHY 107:General Physics I – 4 credit hours
  • KHS 210: Concepts in Personal Wellness and Fitness – 3 credit hours
  • FCS 202 Food and Nutrition – 3 credit hours
  • Bradley Core Curriculum Courses – 6 credit hours

Sophomore - Spring Semester (16 hours)

  • PHY 108: General Physics II – 4 credit hours
  • KHS 310: Statistical Procedures in Health Sciences
    or PSY 205 Quantitative Methods – 3 credit hours
  • Bradley Core Curriculum Courses– 6 credit hours
  • Elective - 3 credit hours

Junior - Fall Semester (16 hours)

  • KHS 320: Applied Physiology of Exercise – 3 credit hours
  • Bradley Core Curriculum Courses – 6 credit hours
  • BlO 230/231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I – 4 credit hours 
  • Elective - 3 credit hours

Junior - Spring Semester (16 hours)

  • KHS 343: Motor Control and Motor Learning – 3 credit hours
  • BIO 232/233: Anatomy and Physiology II – 4 credit hours
  • KHS 300: Experiential Learning – 3 credit hours
  • Bradley Core Curriculum Course – 3 credit hours
  • Elective – 3 credit hours

Senior - Fall Semester (16 hours)

  • Bradley Core Curriculum Course – 3 credit hours
  • CHM 302 or NUR 391: Medical Terminology - 1 credit hour
  • KHS 460: Kinesiology – 3 credit hours 
  • Electives - 9 credit hours

Senior - Spring Semester (15 hours)

  • KHS 470: Health Science Application of Exercise Prescription or KHS 480: Motion Analysis – 3 credit hours
  • Bradley Core Curriculum Course - 3 credit hours
  • Electives - 9 credit hours

Students considering graduate work as a physician, physician assistant, chiropractor, or dentist should consider electives in organic chemistry, microbiology and other pertinent course work.

Course sequence information is provided for sample purposes only. Students should consult with their academic advisor about their individual plan for course registration and completion of program requirements.

This is the official catalog for the 2020-2021 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.