At A Glance
Program Type
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Graduate Program
Affiliated with George Fox University’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program
Experience
Clinical internships available in exercise physiology and therapeutic exercise
Do you aspire to help people overcome injuries, assist those with physical pain, or help them navigate health-related crises in their lives? Or perhaps you simply want to help others live healthfully, knowing there’s a correlation between physical activity and quality of life.
George Fox’s kinesiology major prepares you to be that very person, offering a scientific foundation for careers in a wide range of healthcare disciplines.
Our Healthcare Grad Programs
As a bonus, you’ll benefit from the presence of our Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. This gives you access to a larger group of faculty members, more research resources, and a broader network to leverage.
Preparation for a Wide Range of Careers
Perhaps “versatility” isn’t the word that comes to mind when you think of kinesiology, but this major equips you to be successful in careers beyond athletic training or physical therapy. Our graduates go on to work as physical therapists, occupational therapists, physician assistants, and as trainers/therapists in a variety of sports science-related fields.
This program is also the ideal launch point for furthering your education in the field, setting you up to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy or occupational therapy, a masters in kinesiology, exercise physiology or athletic training, or to enroll in other degree programs related to human performance and corrective exercise.
Interprofessional Education
The Interprofessional education program happens twice a year—once each semester—giving you the chance to gain valuable, hands-on experience. By participating, you’ll see how different professional training and ethics influence client care, preparing you to collaborate with a variety of professionals in the health system. You’ll build confidence in sharing your perspectives and assessments while learning from other disciplines, setting you up for success in real-world professional environments.
Program Distinctives Why Study Kinesiology at George Fox?
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We will work with you individually to make sure you are strategically preparing yourself to be competitive in the field and to reach your career goal.
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Our kinesiology students are prepared for graduate school and are accepted to programs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology and athletic training.
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Our small class sizes allow for close interaction with faculty, hands-on learning experiences from lab-based coursework, and the opportunity to conduct applied research studies.
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You will gain practical experience working in the Find Your Fit program, a department-led health and fitness initiative for George Fox employees.
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You have the opportunity to lead and serve through the student-led Exercise Science Club.
Courses / Curriculum What Will I Study?
Our spaces/Where Will I Learn?
Kinesiology students have access to state-of-the-art equipment and science labs, as well as the biology and chemistry labs housed in the Edwards-Holman Science Center. You’ll also have access to sports science and physical therapy equipment in our newly remodeled Roberts Center.
Some equipment used in the kinesiology program includes:
- A bod pod that measures weight and volume to determine body density
- A metabolic gas analyzer that measures an athlete’s ability to extract oxygen while exercising
- A cycle ergometer test used in rehabilitation
- An electrocardiogram (EKG) to detect heart disease
- A cadaver lab
- A virtual reality anatomy and physiology lab
Career Outlook What’s After George Fox
With the growth in preventative medicine, careers in exercise science are on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 15% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for physical therapy services will come from aging baby boomers in addition to those with mobility issues stemming from chronic conditions.
Occupational therapists are projected to see a 12% growth in employment opportunities during the same time period. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s, cerebral palsy, autism or the loss of a limb.
- Physical Therapist, Salem Hospital
- Physical Therapist and Clinic Owner, Reger Physical Therapy
- Physical Therapy Aide, Willamette Spine Care and Physical Therapy
- Physical Therapy Aide, Star Physical Therapy
- Physical Therapy Aide, Tigard Orthopedic and Fracture Clinic
- Pharmacy Technician, Rite Aid Pharmacy
- George Fox University, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
- Loma Linda University, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
- Oregon State University, Master of Science in Kinesiology
- Pacific University, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
- Creighton University, Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program
- Ball State University, Clinical Exercise Physiology Program
- Lamar University, Masters of Nutrition
- Utah State University, Athletic Training
- Arizona State University, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program
- Rocky Mountain University, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Hannah Busch
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at George Fox in the exercise science department because I learned more in-depth about how God uniquely designed the human body. I always felt encouraged by the professors to think critically and I appreciated how they were always there to help us fully grasp the material, in addition to how they genuinely wanted to see all of their students succeed.
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