Kinesiology and Health Science (BS)

The major provides students with requisite knowledge and skills for postgraduate 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:

A minimum of three years of high school mathematics and science (biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology are recommended)

Areas of Focus

Students pursuing the Kinesiology and Health Science degree typically plan to either continue their education in graduate programs for physical or occupational therapy, medicine, or another health profession. Others choose to pursue graduate work in non-direct patient care or to enter the workforce upon graduation. The KHS degree is designed to allow flexibility for students to gain the requisite knowledge needed for their specific professional goal. Major electives as well as the required minor provide the opportunity for students to complete coursework needed for graduate programs. Students work with an academic advisor to determine an appropriate plan of study.

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 Kinesiology and Health Science students to become engaged on campus and in the local community. The Department of Physical Therapy and Health Science sponsors two organizations that include the Health Science Organization; and a service dog training program called “Wags for Mags.” Kinesiology and 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. Students have also taken advantage of unique opportunities to study in London, Dublin, and other  international 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

First-year students admitted to the undergraduate program in Kinesiology and Health Science have the opportunity to apply for early assurance (formerly known as direct admission) into Bradley’s graduate program. Applications are accepted starting in the second semester of the first year. See department for requirements.

Major Requirements

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

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At least 2 courses must be from KHS.  KHS 300 Experiential Learning in Healthcare may be used as only one of the required electives. (KHS 470 Health Science Application of Exercise Prescription or KHS 480 Motion Analysis may be taken as an elective if not already used as a required course).

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.

At least 120 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.

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.

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CHM 116/CHM 117 and PHY 108 are required for students planning to apply to DPT programs and for Bradley's DPT Early Assurance.

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KHS 320 and KHS 345 are encouraged for students planning to apply to DPT programs and are required for Bradley's DPT Early Assurance.

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

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.

First-year students 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: 

•  Students must enter Bradley as a First-Year student majoring in Kinesiology and Health Science
• Students must apply for DPT Early Assurance by September 1 of their second year at Bradley.
• 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. 
• Applications to be considered for EA will be evaluated on the following criteria:
  • Attainment of a minimum 3.0 GPA overall in courses taken at Bradley
  • Attainment of a minimum 3.0 GPA in required math and science courses at Bradley. BIO 111/113; BIO 112/14 OR BIO 202; and either MTH 111 or 115 must be completed by the time of application. These courses must be taken at Bradley unless credit was received for high school coursework.
  • Documentation of at least 10 hours of observation in a healthcare setting, preferably with a licensed physical therapist. Employment in a healthcare setting (aide/tech, CNA, etc) can be used to satisfy this requirement.
  • Complete and submit a “Path to Graduation” plan, including planned courses, anticipated graduation semester, and extracurricular activities (volunteer work, employment, clubs, etc).
  • Signed affirmation acknowledging that the student will complete the DPT pathway of courses. 
• Notification of initial Early Assurance Status will be made during the fall semester following application.
• At the end of each subsequent semester, students must update a Google form logging progress in their DPT Pathway, Observation Hours Completed, Overall GPA, Required Courses GPA, Extracurricular Activities

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. 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
2. 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. Students must have a minimum of a B average in Anatomy and Physiology I and II including the lab.
3. The following courses must be completed by the beginning of the senior year: a. BIO 111/113- Introduction to Cell Biology and Lab b. BIO 112/114- Introduction to Ecology and Evolution and Lab c. BIO 230/231- Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab d. BIO 232/233- Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab e. PHY 107- General Physics I f. Phy 108- General Physics II g. MTH 111 Elementary Statistics or MTH 115-Brief Calculus with Applications I
4. 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.
5. Early assurance cannot be deferred to the next application cycle.
6. 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).
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.