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, there are a few steps to complete:

1. Complete a request through MyMadison.
2. Schedule a meeting with the Kinesiology Madison Peer Advisor or Kinesiology Advisor.
3. Review the application requirements below prior to your advising meeting.

Students must have completed all three steps for a major change to be approved.  If they have not met with a Kinesiology advisor within two months of submitting the request in MyMadison, the request will be automatically denied.  Major change meetings will not occur during the week leading up to and the week of enrollment each semester.  Students will be able to meet with an advisor following enrollment.

Please note that approval to change your major to Kinesiology: Exercise Science is not admission to the program.  All students must complete the application process outlined below for full admission to the program.

If you have questions, please contact jmukinesiology@jmu.edu to set up a virtual or in-person appointment with an advisor. 

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 either concentration requires that you have met certain requirements. ES requirements are described below. More information about the PHETE program can be found on PHETE admission website.  Your academic advisor will answer any questions that you have about admission and assist you through the process. 

Admission to the Exercise Science Program

Over the past 3 years, approximately 220-250 students have declared Exercise Science as a first-year student each year, while the program admits a maximum of 120 students per year.  Admission is competitive and based solely upon performance in the pre-requisite coursework. 

Application Procedures and Dates

Exercise Science students are admitted through two applications cycles each year.  Successful admission to the Exercise Science program grants students permission to enroll in upper-level (300- and 400-level) coursework Exercise Science coursework. 

Pre-requisite coursework

Students must have completed (or be completing when the application is completed) the following courses at the time of their application:

• KIN 100
• KIN 202 
• 2 out of 3 of the following courses:
  • CHEM 131+131L
  • BIO 270+270L
  • BIO 290+290L

• Students must complete the remaining CHEM or BIO requirement prior to beginning their upper-level coursework with a C- or better. Students will not be allowed to begin upper-level coursework without completing this requirement.
• Students will be allowed to have ONE repeat-forgive option considered as part of their application. They will need to indicate this on their application.
  
  • Students must have completed the second attempt at the time of their application. 

Application Deadlines

Applications are posted on this webpage at least 6 weeks prior to the application deadline.

• Fall EXS coursework start
  • Applications are due by July 31^st
  • Admission decisions are communicated by September 1^st
• Spring EXS coursework start
  • Applications are due by December 15th
  • Admission decisions are communicated by February 1^st

View sample timelines for application here

Application to begin coursework in Spring 2026 (Due July 31^st, 2025)

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. While students can declare Exercise Science upon admission to JMU, transfer students must go through the same application process as students already at JMU (see above).  Admission to JMU and admission to the Exercise Science program are separate processes.

If you are interested in transferring, you may schedule an appointment with a Kinesiology Academic Advisor. To schedule an in-person or virtual appointment, contact jmukinesiology@jmu.edu.

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.