Kinesiology Program

Student Rock Climbing

By Amy Williams

Yoga instructor teaching a class

By Amy Williams

Women Tennis 2010 - SMC vs Glendale

By Siddhartha Abbazi

Student running on Track

Students running

By Chelsea Shon

Kinesiology — a rapidly expanding field in the fitness and healthcare arena — is the study of human development, anatomy, physiology, mechanics, and motor learning.

Within each kinesiology subdiscipline, you learn about stressors — both positive and negative — that govern human performance. Class discussions focus on numerous clinical conditions, and the exercise, nutritional, and medical techniques you can use to prevent and control these problems.

Most career options in kinesiology require additional education, four-year or graduate degrees, and certification by specified agencies. SMC’s kinesiology courses prepare you for advanced studies in kinesiology, physical therapy, exercise physiology, sports medicine, and other related life science programs.

Transfer Preparation

Many colleges and universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university need to know which courses completed at Santa Monica College will be accepted at the specific college/university. Please consult a Counselor. SMC has transfer articulation agreements with the many UC and CSU campuses, as well as many private and out-of-state institutions.

Degrees and Certificates

Associate in Arts for Transfer - Kinesiology

20 units + General Education Requirements

This AA-T degree is geared toward students who want to transfer into an upper-division baccalaureate program at a California State University (CSU). The Associate in Arts in Kinesiology for Transfer (AA-T) involves the study of human development, anatomy, physiology, mechanics, and motor learning. Within each subdiscipline, students study stressors—both positive and negative—that govern human performance. In addition, discussions focus on exercise, nutrition, and techniques used to achieve health and wellness. Students develop and integrate the concepts and principles from each subdiscipline to understand the complexity of the human body.

Upon completion of the Associate in Arts in Kinesiology for Transfer (AA-T), students will have a strong academic foundation in the field and be prepared for upper division baccalaureate study. Students who have completed the Associate in Arts for Transfer in Kinesiology will have satisfied the lower division requirements for transfer into Kinesiology or a similar major for many campuses in the California State University system.

Program Map View Requirements