The Master of Arts in Kinesiology program features three distinct concentrations: Sport Studies, Sport Management, and Fitness Management. Students in each concentration take five (5) core courses that cover the theoretical, administrative, legal, psychological, and investigative bases of the field. Students are then able to personalize the remainder of their curriculum using a wide variety of electives and internship opportunities to ensure their overall education and experiences match their personal and professional goals.
The curriculum is designed to enable students to select the concentration that fits best with their professional goals:
Sport Studies : For those interested in teaching, coaching, and sport administration
Sport Management : For those interested in managing sport organizations
Fitness Management : For those wishing to manage fitness and wellness programs in schools and private organizations
If taking courses full-time, requirements may be completed in 14-16 months. If taking courses part-time, these requirements may be completed between 18 and 26 months.
Students meet with the Graduate Program Director in advance of their first term to develop an academic plan that works specifically with their interests and goals, and to establish a specific time to graduation.

Our primary department focus is to ground our students in the disciplinary knowledge necessary for a meaningful professional and personal life after Saint Mary's College. Our faculty and staff consider and treat each student as an equal in the Department of Kinesiology's community of learners. This is expressed through a curriculum that respects and engages difference and a faculty focused on the whole person we teach. Our undergraduate students have access to the following types of department coursework: sport history and sociology, exercise psychology and physiology, biomechanics and human motor performance, athletic facility management, community and peer health, athletic training, sport law, exercise testing and prescription, and sport nutrition.

Exercise Science (B.S.)

Formerly called Health and Human Performance, this emphasis explores the interactions of physical activity, exercise training, and nutrition on the human body. Students develop a broad knowledge base, critical thinking and communication skills, and practical experience in exercise physiology, sport nutrition, motor learning, sport psychology, and biomechanics. The interdisciplinary coursework prepares students to become effective and socially responsible contributors to the scientific, performance, and athletic communities. Students develop proficiencies to pursue professional certifications, graduate programs, and advanced careers in the fields of athletic training, exercise rehabilitation, fitness training, health care, and coaching.

Health Promotion (B.A.)

This emphasis prepares students with interests in the fields of health education, health promotion, wellness, and public health. Coursework prepares students to analyze the sociocultural root causes of health disparities and inequalities that lead to differences in health outcomes across populations, as well as to create and evaluate health promotion programs. The curriculum has been designed to meet the four critical component elements for undergraduate health education programs: health and human diversity, environmental health, health communications and advocacy, and experiential learning through internships.

Sport and Recreation Management  (B.A.)

This emphasis is designed for students interested in the business of sport, recreation, fitness, and athletics. Coursework provides the philosophical grounding and administrative skills necessary for success in the domains of management, marketing, finance, and sport law, as well as for success in graduate-level training in a related field of study. Students gain skills in analyzing ethical, legal, and sociocultural issues in sport and athletics for use in managerial decision-making and policy determinations. Experiential learning is an essential component, as students complete an internship to develop networking skills and professional connections.

Graduate Alumni Career Pursuits

Here is a look at some of the organizations where our alumni have landed as coaches, athletic directors, and other sport and fitness professionals.  

Colleges and Universities

College of San Mateo – San Mateo, CA

Colorado State University – Pueblo - Pueblo, CO

Diablo Valley College – Pleasant Hill, CA

Dominican University of California – San Rafael, CA

Georgia Institute of Technology – Atlanta, GA

Hawaii Pacific University – Honolulu, HI

Napa Valley College – Napa, CA

Saint Mary’s College of California – Moraga, CA

San Francisco State University - San Francisco, CA

Skyline College – San Bruno, CA

University of California – Berkeley – Berkeley, CA

Professional Sport Organizations

Golden State Warriors – Oakland, CA

Oakland Athletics – Oakland, CA

San Francisco 49ers – San Francisco, CA

49ers Webzone – San Francisco, CA

Townsville Fire – Queensland, Australia

K-12 Schools, Academies, and School Districts

American Indian Public Charter School II – Oakland, CA

Carondelet High School – Concord, CA

De La Salle High School – Concord, CA

Head-Royce School – Oakland, CA

Mount Diablo Unified School District –  Concord, CA

Oakland Unified School District –  Oakland, CA

Saint Ignatius College Preparatory –  San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Unified School District –  San Francisco, CA

San Ramon Valley Unified School District –  Danville, CA

Fitness Organizations

24 Hour Fitness – Multiple Locations

Crossfit, Inc. – Sacramento, CA

Get Fit Davis –  Davis, CA

U-Jam Fitness – Multiple Locations

Other Organizations

Oakland Coliseum –  Oakland, CA

San Francisco Port Authority –  San Francisco, CA

Entrepreneurial Pursuits  

Our alumni have also leveraged their education, talents and ambition to start the following organizations:

Showtime Sports Academy –  TriValley, CA

Team KC –  Livermore, CA

UrbanPlay – Berkeley/Oakland, CA