Study health and exercise sciences to become a community leader in sport, recreation, fitness and wellness.

Kinesiology is an academic discipline which involves the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society, and quality of life. It includes areas of study such as exercise science, athletic training, socio-cultural analyses of sports and society, sport and exercise psychology, fitness leadership, physical education-teacher education, and pre-professional training for physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine and other health related fields.

The Kinesiology Diploma program helps students build skills that they can apply to a variety of career options in fitness, recreation, sport, education and health. Course credits transfer towards Bachelor degree programs in British Columbia and elsewhere.

Students develop skills for general employability and academic success including information literacy, written and oral communication, numeracy and computer skills, critical and creative thinking, leadership and interpersonal skills, and professional skills.

Students may become eligible to apply for industry credentials during or after program completion. External agencies may require students to complete additional written examinations and/or practical competency evaluations and pay additional fees. The department website includes links to relevant agencies.

All students register for courses individually. The first semester includes five common courses. Students then follow the program outlined for one of the diploma options below:

Kinesiology Diploma - Fitness Option
Kinesiology Diploma - Health Science Option
Kinesiology Diploma - Recreation Option
Kinesiology Diploma - Education Option
Kinesiology Diploma - General Studies Option
Students are responsible for confirming that all graduation requirements and residency requirements are met before graduation.

A Kinesiology Co-op option may be available between Year 1 and Year 2 (May - August) for eligible students. Please consult with an education advisor, cooperative education and/or the department chair to address any questions.

Transfer Options

Transfer credit is available for many post-secondary institutions in British Columbia and elsewhere. Most HKIN courses can be used as elective credit, or as the lower-level requirements leading to minor or major concentrations in a Bachelor's degree program. For more information, please consult specific graduation requirements at the receiving institution and www.bctransferguide.ca.

The Kinesiology Diploma - Health Science Option is designed as a pathway to a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology, Human Kinetics or related field and subsequent application to a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Sciences or other allied health profession. Select elective credits that will satisfy degree graduation and/or admission requirements.

The Kinesiology Diploma - Education Option is designed as a pathway to a Bachelor's Degree in a related field and subsequent application to a Bachelor's Degree in Education. Select elective credits that will satisfy some of the requirements for teacher preparation.

Kinesiology Pathway to the BBA. Students can combine their interest in health, sport, recreation and fitness with business studies to prepare to work for government, non- profit and for-profit enterprise. Become a local leader working to improve the health and sustainability of our Okanagan community.

Multiple career options are listed in high demand. Diploma graduates have become recreation coordinators and certified personal trainers. Approximately, 80 per cent of students continue their studies after graduation and have completed a bachelor’s degree with transfer credit, or go on to graduate studies. Degree graduates have become: school teachers, sport coaches, kinesiologists, athletic therapists, exercise therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.