Outside of BC - Descriptions for Required Academic Subjects

If you are a graduate from a post-secondary institution (PSI) outside of British Columbia, you will need to review the subject descriptions below to place your completed courses into the required self assessment form.

The first step in applying for professional membership is to complete the self assessment - which requires you to review your official transcripts and place the completed courses into the box on the self assessment form (e.g. your human anatomy course name and number (e.g. Kin 123) would go into the Human Anatomy box).

Note: We recommend that you complete this first step before you pay for your application so that if you are missing a course, or courses, you can contact the office@bcak.bc.ca to find out where you can take the required course(s) - you will not be eligible to write the required Professional Competency Exam (PCE) unless you meet all the Academic subject requirements (along with the other requirements for membership listed under the Professional Membership page).

For those students still in school, and wish to apply for BCAK Professional Membership upon graduation, we recommend that you review the subject requirements carefully when planning your program.

14 Core Subjects - Required

1. Biomechanics and Ergonomics
2. Clinical Kinesiology Assessment
3. Clinical Exercise Prescription
4. Human Anatomy
5. Human Exercise Physiology
6. Human Motor Control and Learning
7. Human Systems Physiology

Note that the descriptions for the subjects below are still 'in-progress' - in the meantime please use the short-form description provided to place your courses in the appropriate subject 'box' on the self assessment form:

1. Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice: Knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including critical analysis and evaluation of research studies and methods, with emphasis on understanding evidence-informed practice and best-practices in kinesiology.
2. Human Growth and Development: Study of physiological growth and development from conception to maturity, including the factors affecting growth, physical activity behaviour, and human motor performance.
3. Human Nutrition and Metabolism: Fundamentals of nutrition (macro and micro nutrient) as it relates to human health and performance, in healthy and unhealthy populations.
4. Kinesiology Professional Practice & Jurisprudence: Essential aspects of medical, legal and ethical issues related to professional healthcare practice, includes charting & record keeping, interdisciplinary practice, and human rights. Note: testing of this information will be specific to the working and healthcare environment of British Columbia, Canada.
5. Prevention and Rehabilitation of Sports Injuries: Fundamentals of the structural and functional characteristics of the musculoskeletal and sense organs with regards to the prevention of injury in sport. Knowledge applied within a practice setting to facilitate learning of common rehabilitation treatments and modalities.
6. Psychology and/or Sociology of Health & Human Movement (Behaviour Change/Modification): Fundamentals of the psychological and/or sociological factors that influence health behaviours in participation of physical activity for enhancement of physical wellness, sport and recreation performance, chronic disease management and injury/illness recovery.
7. Special Populations Health: Knowledge and consideration essential to working with special populations, including the study of population health. Practical knowledge and understanding of the pathology/pathophysiology of common diseases or disorders including chronic disease and diseases of aging, neurological, orthopedic and/or mental health disorders, persons with disabilities, and epidemiology/population health.

*** Full course outlines (or syllabi) for all courses completed at a post-secondary institution outside of British Columbia are required for the application review process. ***

Note: The BCAK's recognition of BC Transfer Guide equivalencies is at its discretion.

If you are applying with transfer credit courses, you must provide the course outlines from the originating post-secondary institution and BCAK will determine if the course or course(s) meet(s) the BCAK's academic learning outcomes requirement for a given course subject(s). You will also need to provide official transcripts from all of the originating post secondary institutions. Contact the BCAK for further information if this applies to you.