Kinesiology (AAT)
Program Overview:
Your Actions Keep Humans in Motion!
Coach a patient as they take their first steps after a car accident. Train with an athlete to help the get in optimal shape before team tryouts. Assist a client gain more upper body strength so they can become even better at rock-climbing. Give a presentation to a company’s employees about the importance of proper ergonomics and their health. Teach a heart patient how they can breathe easier after surgery. Kinesiology teaches you the inner construction and functions of human movement along with methods of how to help people regain or even increase their abilities to improve themselves.
Kinesiologists examine how to improve someone’s range of motion to help them live a more satisfying life. And, thanks to technology, there are many new techniques that can aid in people’s recovery from injury or to gain more movement. Today, many in the field use virtual reality and motion-sensitive controllers (similar to Nintendo Wii) so patients can stay engaged as they perform repetitive activities.
Careers in Kinesiology
Careers in kinesiology are often located in healthcare facilities, gyms, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities, but just as many can keep you traveling to people’s homes, giving classes outdoors, and exploring new environments while you help people improve themselves. This is a hands-on, fast-paced career that keeps you motivated and always on the move!
Here are some careers and their salaries you could have with a Kinesiology degree:
Career information below taken from bls.gov November 2019. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.
Care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, from a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Associate Degree | $75,570/year | $36.33/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 7% increase (faster than average) | 6,890 |
Develop fitness and exercise programs that help injured or sick patients recover.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $75,670/year | $36.38/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | -2% decrease (decline) | 90 |
Treat clients by using touch to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Postsecondary Nondegree Award | $33,450/year | $16.08/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 8% increase (faster than average) | 6,800 |
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes' strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to improve the athletes' technique to prepare them for competition.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $42,530/year | N/A |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 4% increase (as fast as average) | 8,760 |
Treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Master’s Degree | $96,640/year | $46.46/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed |
2% increase (little or no change) |
3,650 |
Help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Doctoral or Professional Degree | $96,640/year | $42.27/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 4% increase (as fast as average) | 8,130 |
What You’ll Learn at LASC in Kinesiology
You can get Associate in Arts in Kinesiology for Transfer (AAT) at LASC where you will develop critical-thinking skills to create effective practices for your future patients to ensure they have access to a life of physical activity:
- Acquire a broad -based foundation in biological, psychological, social, and cultural fundamentals and results of physical mechanics; and the instructional and restorative aspects of physical activity. This kind of foundation allows you to discover what aspects within kinesiology you want to focus on once you get into a bachelor’s program.
- Learn how to create environments in both work and home that promote healthier living by incorporating more physical activity into one’s daily routine.
- Discover how to help others to live their best life in informing those around you on the finer points of exercise, nutrition, as well as health and safety standards.
- Become familiar with the current state of the public health infrastructure and become advocates for change to promote better health standards for all.
- LASC provides internships so you can build your career connections and create community ties for after you graduate.
- To transfer with your Associate in Arts in Kinesiology for Transfer (AAT) degree, you will save money on your first two years of college learning from motivated, encouraging faculty before you transfer to a four-year college or university. Visit your academic counselor to fund out more.
Degrees & Courses You Will Take
Review LASC’s degree in Kinesiology and our suggested course of study for this program. You can also get a Skill Certificate in Personal Training. Classes are located in the School of Science and Lakin Fitness Wellness Center.
Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog for specific course information:
Major Code: 1270.00
Total Units Required: 60
If you are planning to transfer to a CSU or UC, then an associate degree in Kinesiology is for you! You can complete an Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree (AAT) in Kinesiology if you are planning to transfer to a CSU Kinesiology bachelor’s program. By successfully completing this degree, you are guaranteed admission to a CSU!
The Kinesiology AAT degree provides you with the knowledge and application of kinesiology concepts and skills to attain upper-division status in kinesiology at most four-year colleges or universities. The program emphasizes fundamental knowledge in the biological, psychological, and socio-cultural foundations and consequences of physical mechanics; and the pedagogical and rehabilitative aspects of physical activity.
The Associate of Associate in Arts in Kinesiology for Transfer Degree requirements include:
- completion of 60 CSU transferable units, including the minimum 25 units in the major and the completion of either IGETC or CSU GE;
- a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students should meet with a counselor to determine the necessary course work to complete the general education requirements.
| Required Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| KIN MAJ 100 Introduction to Kinesiology | 3 |
| ANAT 1 Introduction to Human Anatomy | 4 |
| AND | |
| PHYSIO 1 Introduction to Human Physiology | 4 |
| OR | |
| BIO 20 Human Anatomy and Physiology | 8 |
| Movement Based Courses (3 Units Required): Select one-course maximum from three of the following areas |
|
| Area 1: Aquatics | |
| KIN 300-1 Swimming Skills I | 1 |
| OR | |
| KIN 303-1 Aqua Aerobics | 1 |
| Area 2: Dance | |
| DANCETQ 111 Ballet Techniques I | 1 |
| OR | |
| DANCETQ 121 Jazz Dance Techniques I | 1 |
| Area 3: Fitness | |
| KIN 180 Marathon Training Course for Run/Walk | 1.5 |
| OR | |
| KIN 229-1 Body Conditioning Skills I | 1 |
| OR | |
| KIN 234-1 Walking for Fitness I | 1 |
| OR | |
| KIN 245 Body Dynamics Skills | 1 |
| OR | |
| KIN 250 Weight Training Skills | 1 |
| List A: Select Two Courses | |
| MATH 227 Statistics | 4 |
| CHEM 101 General Chemistry | 5 |
| KIN MAJ 101 First Aid and CPR | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 21-23 |
With this certificate, you will have the knowledge and understanding necessary to prepare for the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) Certification Exam and become effective personal trainers. This is a certificate for designing individualized programs based on each client’s unique health, fitness, and goals.
The information covered by the courses required for this certificate will help you learn how to facilitate rapport, adherence, self-efficacy, and behavior change in clients, as well as design programs that help clients to improve posture, movement, flexibility, balance, core function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular endurance and strength.
| Required Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| KIN MAJ 100 Introduction to Kinesiology | 3 |
| KIN MAJ 117 Personal Training Instructor | 3 |
| ANAT 1 Introduction to Human Anatomy | 4 |
| HEALTH 2 Health & Fitness | 4 |
| Select Any (4) of the Following Courses: | |
| KIN 217 Self Defense | 1 |
| KIN 229 Body Conditioning Skills | 1 |
| KIN 245 Body Dynamics Skills | 1 |
| KIN 250 Weight Training Skills | 1 |
| KIN 251 Yoga | 1 |
| KIN 303 Aqua Aerobics | 1 |
| KIN 345 Body Dynamics Activity | 1 |
| KIN 336-1 Zumba Fitness I | 1 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 18 |
Get Ready Before You Start
If you want a career in kinesiology, you can start preparing for it before your first class starts at LASC:
- Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, start to develop a Student Education Plan (SEP), and discuss your career and academic goals so your counselor can review with you what you’ll need to do to transfer to a four-year college or university.
- Still in high school? Contact local fitness centers to see if they have positions as a student athletic trainer, internships, or if you can volunteer for the summer. Talk with your high school coaches to see if you could shadow them as they coach their team to learn what they do, what their process is and why they have that process. Contact local professional sports teams to see if they have internships, scholarships, or volunteer opportunities with their sports trainers so you can gain awareness of the position, while also having more experiences to put in your college applications and work resumes.
Program Learning Outcomes
As a student, once you successfully complete the program, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge and skills related to physical mechanics, exercise, and sport, and have the ability to integrate perspectives from humanities and social, behavioral, and life sciences.
- Apply content knowledge to design and evaluate within disciplinary practices.
- Demonstrate critical thinking, writing, reading, oral communication, and information management skills to physical activity-related questions.
- Articulate the importance of commitment to life-long physical activity.