Catalog 2026–2027

Dance Kinesiology Certificate

Program Coordinators: Kristi “Kea” Kapahua or Justina Mattos, Ph.D.
Email: kkapahua@hawaii.edu or jmattos@hawaii.edu

Certificate Description

The Dance Kinesiology Certificate is an interdisciplinary certificate designed to provide students with the basic anatomical and biomechanical principles underlying dance and physical movement. The coursework emphasizes musculoskeletal structure and function, injury prevention, and recovery strategies applicable to dance and other physical activities. This certificate supports preparation for careers in dance performance and education, health sciences, fitness and wellness, physical therapy, dance medicine, athletic training, and other related movement-based disciplines.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate foundational knowledge of human anatomy and biomechanics as they relate to dance and functional movement.
  • Apply principles of kinesiology to analyze movement, improve technical efficiency, and support safe participation in dance and physical activity.
  • Identify common movement-related injuries and risk factors and explain evidence-based strategies for injury prevention and recovery.
  • Integrate scientific understanding with artistic practice to make informed decisions that support physical health, performance longevity, and professional preparation in movement-based fields.

Curriculum: (22 Credits)

1. Required Core Courses (16 Credits)

  • KES 210 Introduction to KES (3)
  • KES 212 Anatomical Kinesiology (3)
  • DNCE 150 Intro To Dance (3)
  • Choose one Pilates Course, selected from:
    • DNCE 110 Pilates Beginning Matwork (1)
    • DNCE 210 Pilates Intermediate Matwork (1)
  • Choose one Level 1 dance class, selected from:
    • DNCE 160 Ballet I (3)
    • DNCE 170 BegContemp Dance/Hawaiʻi Themes (3)
    • DNCE 180 Jazz Dance I (3)
    • DNCE 190 Modern Dance I (3)
  • Choose one Level 2 dance class, selected from:
    • DNCE 260 Ballet II (3)
    • DNCE 270 IntContempDance Hawaiʻi/Themes (3)
    • DNCE 280 Jazz Dance II (3)
    • DNCE 290 Modern Dance II (3)

2. Electives (6 Credits)

Choose one course from KES and one course from DNCE:

  • Choose one Kinesiology class, selected from:
    • KES 307 Biomechanics of Human Movement (3)
    • KES 308 Principles of Strength & Cond. (3)
    • KES 310 Motor Learning (3)
    • KES 370 Sport Psychology (3)
  • Choose one Dance class, selected from:
    • DNCE 360 Ballet III (3)
    • DNCE 401 Dance Ensemble (3)
    • DNCE 419 Dance In Education (3)
    • DNCE 460 Ballet IV (3)
    • DNCE 475 Dance Hawaiʻi Performance Group (3)
    • DNCE 499 Directed Studies (To Be Arranged)

Notes:

  1. Students must earn a “C” or higher in all courses that are applied toward completion of this certificate.
  2. Be aware of course prerequisites and the frequency with which courses are offered. Information is available in the “course listings” of this catalog.
  3. For KES 307- the prerequisites of PHYS 151, PHYS 151L can be overridden for the students of this certificate, please contact the Instructor of the Course.