Program

Post-Degree Diploma in Kinesiology

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Sport Science
Credits
30.00
Length of Program
One year
Credential Type
Post-Degree Diploma

Overview

Elevate your career in kinesiology with the Post-degree Diploma in Kinesiology. This 10-course program offers practical and hands-on training in client intake, assessment skills, exercise prescription and more. You’ll take a breadth of courses that cover essential areas of competency in kinesiology, ranging from professional writing to the ethics of client care, ensuring that you meet industry standards and are prepared to become a practicing kinesiologist.   

Meet industry standards to become a practicing kinesiologist 

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the BCAK will require all applicants to pass a Professional Competency Exam administered by the association. Prepare for the upcoming changes to the BCAK membership requirements, including the competency exam, work experience and academic requirements with this new credential.

Gain hands-on work experience 

Get 100 hours of hands-on clinical experience that count towards the BCAK membership requirements through fieldwork that is seamlessly embedded into the program. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside a practicing kinesiologist so that you’re prepared to start your career in kinesiology upon successful completion of the BCAK competency exam.    

Job opportunities 

Upon graduation and successful completion of the competency exam, you’ll be prepared to work as a practicing kinesiologist in various professional settings including injury assessment and rehabilitation, exercise therapy, disability management, performance coaching and more. As a kinesiologist you can expect a median wage of $27.97 per hour and a median salary of $52,828 in British Columbia. 

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

Cost

Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more. 

For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts

Program Requirements

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements

  • Successful completion of a minimum of 30 credits (see pre-requisites note)
  • A minimum of 15 Upper Level (3000-4000) credits must be completed
  • Completion of 100 hours of clinical fieldwork experience (included in Fieldwork courses)
  • A minimum program GPA of 2.00
  • Up to 50% (15 credits) of coursework used towards a previously received credential can be used to meet program requirements, except when completing multiple Post-Degree Diplomas at Douglas College (please see the Credentials Awarded Policy).
  • 50% (15 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College.
  • Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: 4 years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits.

Pre-requisites Note: Students may need to complete additional credits to meet prerequisites for some program electives. Credits earned for the prerequisite courses may not count towards the program graduation requirements. 

 

Course Requirements (see notes 1-5)

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

FIELDWORK REQUIREMENT

SPSC 4301

PDD Fieldwork 1

3.00

SPSC 4302

PDD Fieldwork 2

3.00

BIOLOGY REQUIREMENT - Select one from the following:

BIOL 2200

Pathophysiology

3.00

BIOL 3100

Musculoskeletal Anatomy

5.00

SPORT SCIENCE KINESIOLOGY REQUIREMENT  

SPSC 3276

Athletic Injury Assessment and Managment

3.00

SPSC 4151

Ergonomics

3.00

SPSC 4176

Foundations of Assessment

3.00

SPSC 4276

Therapeutic Exercise

3.00

SPORT SCIENCE ELECTIVES - Select two from the following:

SPSC 3154

Integrated Movement Analysis

3.00

SPSC 3158

Inclusive Physical Activity

3.00

SPSC 3203

Health Promotion

3.00

SPSC 3256

Research Methods in Sport Science, Physical Education, and Recreation

3.00

SPSC 3275

Advanced Exercise Physiology

3.00

SPSC 4161 (see note 5)

Fitness Assessment and Prescription

3.00

SPSC 4256 (see note 5)

Sport Science Applied Research

3.00

HEALTH ELECTIVE - Select one from the following (see note 3):

BIOL 2200

Pathophysiology

3.00

BIOL 3100

Musculoskeletal Anatomy

5.00

BIOL 3205 (see note 5)

Genetics

5.00

DACS 4111

Disability in Context

3.00

NURS 3318

Global Health

3.00

PHIL 1121

Medical Ethics

3.00

PSYC 2315 (see note 5)

Biological Bases of Behaviour

3.00

PSYC 3304 (see note 5)

Health Psychology

3.00

PSYC 3315 (see note 5)

Human Neuropsychology

3.00

PSYC 3320 (see note 5)

Child Behaviour and Development

3.00

PSYC 3322 (see note 5)

Development Psychology: Adulthood & Aging

3.00

PSYC 3370 (see note 5)

The Psychology of Memory

3.00

PSYC 4370 (see note 5)

Counselling Skills Fundamentals

3.00

SPSC 2252

Contemporary Health Issues

3.00

Total credits

30.00-34.00 (see note 4)

NOTES:

1. Students seeking licensing through British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists (BCAK) are responsible for ensuring they meet the BCAK grade requirements for all courses used toward their licensing application. This may include courses that are not part of PDD requirements.

2. Students using courses from a previously received credential or from another institution should consult with the program coordinator.

3. A student may take a Biology course to satisfy the Elective requirement, provided this course is not being used to satisfy the Biology Requirement. 

4. If a student takes 5-credit BIOL courses in the Biology Requirement and/or Elective categories, they will graduate with more than 30 credits.

5. These courses may require additional pre-requisites. Please consult with the program coordinator. 

 

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Career Pathways

Career opportunities include:

  • Kinesiologist 

  • Certified Exercise Physiologist 

  • Personal Trainer 

  • Health and Wellness promotion 

  • Recreational Leader 

  • Group Fitness Instructor