Department of Kinesiology and Public Health at Cal Poly!
Welcome to the Department of Kinesiology and Public Health at Cal Poly!
Kinesiology and Public Health are exciting, growing fields of study and Cal Poly is a challenging, collaborative, and supportive institution at which to begin both your academic and professional career.
What is Kinesiology, exactly?
According to the American Kinesiology Association, Kinesiology is the academic discipline which involves the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society, and quality of life.
What is Public Health, exactly?
According to the American Public Health Association Public Health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play. Public health is the discipline which works to track disease outbreaks, prevent injuries and determine why some are more likely to experience poor health outcomes. Public health professionals work to assure the conditions for people to be healthy.
So what does this mean for me?
After being accepted into the Kinesiology or Public Health program, students take classes, enroll in labs, and participate in research projects that prepare them for a broad range of careers. See more Career Options.
What opportunities does the department offer?
For the BS in Kinesiology, undergraduates can choose to follow one of three concentrations: Exercise Science, Health Promotion, or Sport Science. Each concentration is specifically tailored to give students both the scientific fundamentals and critical real world experience necessary to be a successful graduate. Courses offered by the department include Biomechanics, Disease Epidemiology, Pathophysiology and Exercise, Sport and Gender, and Neuroanatomy.
For the BS in Public Health, undergraduates can choose one of four concentrations: Community and Public Health, Culture and Society in Health, Physical Activity in Public Health and Worksite and University Health Promotion. Each concentration provides students the opportunity to partner with faculty, campus and community organizations to discover how to apply public health principles to promote health and prevent disease. The program offers a broad foundation in multiple areas of public health, to include ample opportunities for hands-on application of knowledge in classes, field experience, and research projects, as well as requiring community-oriented outreach activities to promote health. The program aligns with the critical component elements approved by the Association of Schools of Public Health and prepares students to meet the professional practices standards as developed by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC.org) to qualify for the certification exam for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES).
Still curious about the study of Kinesiology or Public Health?
Cal Poly College of Science and Mathematics Pre-Health Careers (link opens new tab)
American Kinesiology Association (link opens new tab)
SHAPE America (link opens new tab)
American College of Sports Medicine (link opens new tab)
Society of Public Health Education (link opens new tab)
American Physical Therapy Association (link opens new tab)
American Public Health Association (link opens new tab)
IDEA Health & Fitness (link opens new tab)
National Strength & Conditioning Association (link opens new tab)
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (link opens in new tab)
American Occupational Therapy Association (link opens new tab)
American Association of Physician Assistants (link opens new tab)
American Nursing Association (link open new tab)
Career Services can help you explore career options, prepare for your internship/job search, connect with employers, and more! Please visit their website for information on the services and resources they provide.