Your career as a health professional starts here

You’ll gain a deep understanding in biomechanics, motor control, exercise physiology, exercise psychology, human disease, and preventative medicine. And, we’ll work with you to choose courses that align with your future health professional school.

The pre-health professions program within the kinesiology and health major is an excellent choice when considering a way to prepare for professional school programs in human medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant, and other related health care professions.

The kinesiology and health pre-health professions curriculum not only allows you to complete the foundation sciences required for professional school admission (chemistry, physics, biology, math), but it will also prepare you with a focus in human function and movement along with health.

The specialized sciences of biomechanics, motor control, physiology of exercise, etc. will enhance your background in human-focused sciences as well as preventive medicine – today’s medicine!

Coursework

Coursework includes:

  • Biomechanical aspects of human movement
  • Physiology of exercise
  • Motor behavior and control
  • Exercise psychology
  • Human diseases
  • Professional coursework (minimum of 9 credits in advanced levels of the human movement sciences above)
  • Specialization area (minimum of 26 credits in chemistry, physics, biology, anatomy/physiology, and math) — courses required by your professional school of interest

Field experience is required for admission to most professional schools but is not required in this curriculum.

4-Year Plans (Pre-Health Professions)

Preparation for advanced study

After earning the bachelor of science degree at Iowa State University, advanced study is required to earn a license to practice in such areas as:

  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Human medicine
  • Physician assistant
  • Chiropractic
  • Dentistry
  • Optometry
  • Other health care professions

Ready to get moving?