Declaring Kinesiology as a Major

Incoming Students: As a new freshmen or transfer student, you will declare your major through the JMU One Book website when you sign up for orientation. This major becomes your official major on your academic record.

Current Students: If you are a current student wishing to declare or change a major, you must complete a request through MyMadison. After you complete the request, you will be contacted via email by a Kinesiology Undergraduate Academic Advisor to complete the declaration process. You cannot be admitted to the major without meeting with a Kinesiology Academic Advisor. If you fail to meet with an advisor within 2 months of submitting your online request, the request will automatically be denied.  If you have questions and/or would like to discuss your course of study prior to declaring the major, please contact jmukinesiology@jmu.edu and we will set up an appointment with an advisor.  Appointments can be in person or virtual, just be sure to indicate what format you would prefer.

For additional assistance making a request to change your major, please view the Change/Declare a Major/Minor tutorial in MyMadison or on the tutorials websites.

Declaring a Concentration

By the end of the sophomore year, all Kinesiology students must declare a concentration in either (a)Exercise Science (ES) or (b) Physical and Health Education Teacher Education (PHETE).

Acceptance into both concentrations entail that you have met certain requirements. ES requirements are described below. Your academic advisor will answer any questions that you have about admission and assist you through the process. 

Admission to the Exercise Science Program

To apply students MUST have completed, or currently be taking, the following pre-requisite courses: KIN 100, KIN 202, BIO 290+290L, BIO 270+270L, CHEM 131&131L. Please note that there are no exceptions.

Applications are completed online and must be submitted by the deadline (October 15 for Fall Semester, March 15 for Spring Semester) in the semester in which it is anticipated that the prerequisites will be completed. Between 100-120 students per academic year will obtain entrance to the program.  Students will be notified of their application decision one week after final grades are posted for that semester. The average acceptance rate over the past 4 semesters was 92% of those who applied.

Acceptance into the program is based on performance (i.e. GPA) in the pre-requisite courses. Repeat-Forgive grades are NOT counted in the application consideration. Therefore, if you did not do well in one of the prerequisite courses, it would NOT help your chances for admission to re-take the course. Other relevant experiences (work, research, etc.) will be considered as well to differentiate students. If not admitted, students may re-apply once.

Once the application is complete and reviewed, you will be able to enroll in upper-level Kinesiology courses for the following semester.  If you are not admitted to the program, you will be dropped from these classes at that time.

Complete the Spring 2024 Application

Transfer Student Information

Students may transfer into the Kinesiology program both the Fall and Spring semesters. The “Kinesiology Transfer Snapshot” has more information for transfer students.  If you are interested in transferring, you are welcome to schedule an appointment with a Kinesiology Academic Advisor, who will provide you with information about the program, schedule a campus visit to meet with current students and faculty and will answer any questions that you might have. To schedule an appointment, contact jmukinesiology@jmu.edu. Appointments can be in person or virtual, just be sure to indicate what format you would prefer.

We also encourage you to familiarize yourself with the transfer admission process JMU Admissions has more information and instructions about applying for admission to JMU. After you are accepted and have paid a deposit to JMU, you will schedule a date for New Student/Transfer Orientation where you will meet with the Kinesiology Academic Advisor to plan your schedule and finalize your course of study. Transfer Orientation is held in December for spring transfers, and in June for fall transfers.

Back to Top