Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
— Sports Medicine
Complete your degree at SMU
Quick
Facts
- Format: Hybrid (online lectures, on-campus labs)
- Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
- Accepting Applications
- Application Deadline: June 1, 2023
What
Sets Us Apart?
- Two-year program designed for students who have already completed two years of coursework
- Hands-on, experiential learning at state-of-the-art Motion Analysis Research Center
- Become an outstanding candidate for SMU graduate programs
- Globally experienced faculty that value diversity and inclusivity
Did
You Know?
- SMU has a 98% job employment placement rate
- Eighty-six percent of SMU students receive financial aid
- 110+ years of educating top-tier health professionals
- Most SMU programs have high national ranking
Need More
Information?
Schedule your one-on-one session to learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Sports Medicine program. We will answer all your questions and provide information about the curriculum and career opportunities.
86% of our students receive financial aid
Advance Your Career in Sports Medicine
Kinesiology specialists are among the most in-demand health and wellness professionals in the United States today, and that will only increase as the population ages. Our in-person and hands-on program for full-time students prepares you to champion fitness and serve an aging population. Grow your career dramatically with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Sports Medicine from Samuel Merritt University.
As a kinesiology professional, you’ll be addressing the pressing concerns of our society, such as the prevention of chronic disease, childhood obesity, and overall health and fitness. Our students are educated and trained in kinesiology, anatomy, and physiology with an emphasis on sports medicine.
Through the integration of research, instruction, and experimental curriculum, you’ll develop knowledge, skills, and expertise in injury prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, return to sport, physiological response to exercise, sport and exercise psychology, biomechanics, and nutrition to prepare for a career that enhances lives.
Designed as a hybrid program for full-time students who have already completed their lower-division coursework at a community college or four-year institution, kinesiology scholars will complete approximately two years of coursework. With the solid background knowledge this program offers, you will be given every opportunity to become an outstanding candidate for graduate programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, podiatric medicine, physician assistant, and nursing.
Get complete information about the program and what SMU has to offer.
Schedule an in-depth one-on-one 30-minute phone/video session to answer all your questions.
Need more information? Contact us and our Admission team will get back to you quickly.
Admission
Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Sports Medicine program is competitive. Applicants are considered for admission based upon the following criteria:
A minimum of 60 semester/90 quarter units of transferable coursework, including the completion of all prerequisites with a grade of “C” or better by the time of entry into the program
A minimum recommended GPA of 2.5 in all prerequisite coursework
Two letters of reference: one from a faculty member, preferably a math or science instructor. References from family and friends will not be considered.
Short answer responses submitted with the application
The information below outlines the prerequisite requirements for entry to the BS Kinesiology program.
All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better by the start of the program. Although it is acceptable to have courses planned or in progress, it is in the student’s best interest to have as many courses completed as possible at the time of application. It is not possible to complete any prerequisites concurrently with the Kinesiology program.
Prerequisite Requirements, Semester Units (except as otherwise specified)
Introduction to Kinesiology, 3.0
Human Anatomy with lab, 4.0
Human Physiology with lab, 4.0
Biology with lab, 4.0
General Chemistry with lab, 4.0
Physics with lab, 4.0
Recommended
- Mathematics, 3.0
Application Fees
The application fee for Kinesiology is $68 and is collected at the AHCAS website. The university does not charge an additional admission fee.
Non-Refundable Deposits and Fees
Students offered admission pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $350 to secure their seats in the class.
Application fees and tuition deposits are non-refundable, whether or not the student withdraws in the first week of the term.
Policies and procedures for refunds of tuition and fees can be found in the Student Handbook and Catalog.
Tuition Calculator
There is a tuition calculator that provides a detailed summary of annual tuition, all fees for the program, and a cost estimator for the entire program.
Your undergraduate education at Samuel Merritt University is an investment in your future. Not only could you pursue a rewarding career in health and physical activity, but Samuel Merritt University graduates have a loan default rate of less than one percent. This means that students who borrowed to attend Samuel Merritt University have found employment in their chosen field that allows them to pay off their loans.
The Kinesiology program is proud to offer a variety of ways to assist in funding your education including scholarships, work study, and student loans. The first step in applying for financial aid at SMU is to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Once you receive your financial aid package, check this budget against your actual living expenses and we can make necessary adjustments to meet your needs.
You can also review more detailed information about financial aid, scholarships, budgeting, and total cost on the Financial Aid and Scholarships page.
At SMU, we believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Having a student body that reflects our diverse local community that can work with clients from diverse backgrounds is important to us.
Program Learning Outcomes
Integrate theoretical knowledge, scientific evidence, and practical skills to mitigate injury risk and optimize human performance for clients of diverse abilities and backgrounds.
Critically analyze and apply research findings in the provision of up-to-date, evidence-based client services.
Effectively use data, information, and technology to support decision-making in evaluating and providing client care and advancing client education.
Collaborate effectively as members of interprofessional teams.
Engage in critical reflection to enhance experiential learning to improve the delivery of client services.
Provide ethical person-centered, compassionate, and caring services to clients and the wider community.
Engage in a personal philosophy of self-care, professionalism, and lifelong learning.
Institutional Learning Outcomes
Practice—Enter practice, enter residency education, or practice in the enhanced role for which they have been prepared.
Ethics, Professionalism, Compassion—Embody their ethical and professional responsibilities to effectively serve individuals from diverse backgrounds, their profession, and society with compassion, caring, and humility.
Teamwork—Communicate and collaborate effectively as members of interprofessional teams.
Structural and Social Determinants of Health—Integrate an understanding of structural and social determinants of health into professional practice.
Clinical Reasoning—Provide person-centered care using sound clinical reasoning informed by evidence from research and practice.
Leadership—Advocate, as agents of change, to improve health and healthcare, especially for structurally vulnerable populations.
Informatics—Effectively use data, information, and technology to support decision-making in complex systems.
Self-Care—Engage in self-care practices for personal health and wellness.
Applications for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Doctor of Nursing Practice program are accepted using the Central Application Service for Nursing Schools (NursingCAS).
Prerequisites
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- BSN or MSN degree from a CCNE accredited program
- BSN degree GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (as listed on BSN transcript.)
- Active, unencumbered California RN license.
- One year of full-time RN experience at the time of application. Psychiatric nursing experience is preferred but not required.
- Two letters of reference from individuals who can attest to your clinical expertise and preparedness for graduate level study.
Application Fees
Application fees are payable to Nursing’s Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS). Samuel Merritt University does not charge an additional admission fee.
Non-Refundable Deposits and Fees
Students offered admission pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $350 to secure their seat in the class.
Application fees and tuition deposits are non-refundable, whether or not the student withdraws in the first week of the term.
Tuition Calculator
There is a tuition calculator that provides a detailed summary of annual tuition, all fees for the program, and a cost estimator for the entire program.
Your nursing education at SMU is an important and valuable investment in your future. SMU graduates have a loan default rate of less than 1%. This means that students who borrowed to attend the University have found employment in their chosen field that allows them to pay off their loans.
SMU is proud to offer a variety of ways to assist in funding your education including scholarships, work study, and student loans. The first step in applying for financial aid at SMU is to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
SMU offers scholarships and an assortment of resources for funding opportunities outside of the program. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need. A limited number are awarded for academic merit. Scholarships for nurses include:
Sharon Clark Diaz
Employee Campaign
Marshall Steele, Jr.
Hitchcock Heydman
Henry & Bernice Bigge
Faculty Scholarship
Alumni Scholarship
Elks of the Year
William Breslin
In addition to the cost of tuition and books and fees, financial aid can cover other indirect educational costs, including:
Books and Supplies
Room and Board
Transportation
Personal Expenses
Other fees as determined by program/college
Once you receive your financial aid package, check this budget against your actual living expenses and we can make necessary adjustments to meet your needs. Detailed information about financial aid, budgeting, total cost, and application processes are available through the Office of Financial Aid.
We realize that the financial aid process can be difficult and overwhelming. We are here to help. Financial Aid staff can assist with budgeting, understanding your awards, and understanding the process. The SMU staff is committed to each prospective student and enrolled student. We have an open-door policy and are available via phone or email.
finaid@samuelmerritt.edu or 510.879.9200
PLO1: Integrate nursing science with biomedical knowledge and evidence-based interprofessional best practices for the highest level of nursing practice. (ILO1, ILO4, ILO5)
PLO2: Provide leadership for the organization, delivery, quality, safety, sustainability, accountability, responsiveness, and continuous improvement in healthcare. (ILO2, ILO5, ILO6)
PLO3: Translate evidence into practice, evaluate practice, improve outcomes of care, and participate in collaborative research. (ILO4, ILO5, ILO7)
PLO4: Identify, appraise, implement, and evaluate information technology and systems to provide and improve care. (ILO1, ILO5, ILO6, ILO7)
PLO5: Design, advocate, and implement health care policy to support equitable and inclusive health care access, financing, regulation, safety, quality, and efficacy. (ILO1, ILO2, ILO4, ILO5, ILO6)
PLO6: Provide leadership to facilitate collaborative team functioning and interprofessional practice to improve healthcare outcomes. (ILO3, ILO5)
PLO7: Analyze health risks within the biological, environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic determinants of health to develop, implement, and evaluate clinical prevention measures to improve population health. (ILO3, ILO4, ILO6, ILO7, ILO8)
PLO8: Practice in a specialty role using advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, accountability, and innovation to design, deliver, and evaluate evidence-based care to improve healthcare outcomes. (ILO1, ILO2, ILO3, ILO4, ILO5, ILO6, ILO7, ILO8)
Practice—
Enter practice, enter residency education, or practice in the enhanced role for which they have been prepared.
Ethics, Professionalism, Compassion—
Embody their ethical and professional responsibilities to effectively serve individuals from diverse backgrounds, their profession, and society with compassion, caring, and humility.
Teamwork—
Communicate and collaborate effectively as members of interprofessional teams.
Structural and Social Determinants of Health—
Integrate an understanding of structural and social determinants of health into professional practice.
Clinical Reasoning—
Provide person-centered care using sound clinical reasoning informed by evidence from research and practice.
Leadership—
Advocate, as agents of change, to improve health and healthcare, especially for structurally vulnerable populations.
Informatics—
Effectively use data, information, and technology to support decision-making in complex systems.
Self-Care—
Engage in self-care practices for personal health and wellness.
SMU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501; 510.748.9001.
The doctor of nursing practice program at is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001.
DNP Accreditation
Initial Accreditation Date: September 24, 2012
Most Recent Accreditation Date: September 25, 2017
Accreditation Term Expires: June 30, 2028
Last On-Site Evaluation: September 2017
Next On-Site Evaluation: Fall 2027
Our Campuses
Samuel Merritt University offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and nursing certificate programs at three campuses in Northern California and online.
Oakland
3100 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, California 94609
800.607.6377
Sacramento
2710 N. Gateway Oaks Dr., Suite 360
Sacramento, California 95833
800.607.6377
Fresno
1791 E. Fir Avenue
Fresno, California 93720
800.607.6377
San Francisco Peninsula
1720 South Amphlett Boulevard, Suite 300
San Mateo, California 94402
800.607.6377
