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Last Updated on February 16, 2025
A kinesiology degree can give you the necessary skills and knowledge if you’re interested in a career related to nutrition, health, exercise, or sports medicine. Kinesiology jobs involve helping people with strength and conditioning, mobility, and rehabilitation. Learning more about degrees and careers in this field will help you develop a plan to achieve your education goals.
This article highlights kinesiology, the types of degrees available, and a few possible career paths.
What This Article Covers
- Understanding Kinesiology: Learn what kinesiology is, including its focus on human movement, anatomy, biomechanics, and exercise science.
- Types of Kinesiology Degrees: Explore the options available for bachelor’s to master’s programs and online study opportunities.
- Career Opportunities in Kinesiology: Discover the diverse industries where kinesiology graduates can work, such as sports medicine, rehabilitation, and corporate wellness.
- Becoming a Personal Trainer: Learn how kinesiology graduates can build careers as personal trainers, helping clients achieve their fitness goals with tailored exercise programs.
- Pursuing a Career as an Athletic
Coach : Find out what it takes to become an athleticcoach , including educational requirements, responsibilities, andsalary expectations. - Opportunities in Nutrition and Wellness: Understand how a kinesiology degree can lead to careers in nutrition, helping clients improve their health through personalized meal planning.
- Pathway to Becoming a Physical Therapist: Learn about the education and certification process required to work as a physical therapist and help patients recover from injuries.
- Future Growth and Demand for Kinesiology Careers: See why the demand for kinesiology professionals is increasing and how to position yourself for long-term success.
What is Kinesiology?
Kinesiology studies human movement and includes anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, motor control, physical activity, exercise science, and nutrition. Kinesiology professionals are experts in the body’s functions and applications related to physical activity, such as strength training, corrective exercise, athletic training, and sports medicine.
Kinesiology opens doors to exciting sports, rehab, fitness, and wellness careers. From athletic training to biomechanics, the opportunities are endless. Ready to turn your passion into a profession? #Kinesiology Click To TweetTypes of kinesiology degrees
Kinesiology degrees are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The most common types of degrees are the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and the Master of Science in Kinesiology.
Depending on the program, coursework can include biomechanics, anatomy and physiology, physical fitness testing and training protocols, motor control, exercise physiology, nutrition, and health promotion.
If you’re a working professional who wishes to advance your career, you can also pursue an online kinesiology degree that offers the same coursework as a traditional program.
Career paths for kinesiology grads
Kinesiology graduates can apply their knowledge and skills to various industries, such as corporate wellness, medical device sales, sports marketing, and event management. As the demand for qualified professionals in these areas grows, many exciting career paths are available to kinesiology graduates. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Personal trainer
Pursuing a job as a personal trainer can be an attractive career option for those with degrees in kinesiology. Personal trainers assist clients in meeting their fitness goals with specialized exercises tailored to suit each individual’s needs.
Job duties include creating exercise programs, monitoring progress, and providing motivation. Personal trainers must also have extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, muscle mechanics, and injury prevention. They often work with medical personnel, such as physical therapists, to ensure their clients exercise properly.
Earning potential is generally based on experience and location. However, the average
With job security and ample opportunity for growth, becoming a certified personal trainer can be a great option for those with Kinesiology degrees seeking meaningful careers helping others stays fit.
What is an A-List personal trainer? Regardless of your experience and physical appearance (you do not have to look like a fitness model), an A-list trainer consistently exemplifies specific skills and attributes of past or current success
2. Athletic coach
The job duties of an athletic
The median annual wage for coaches will be approximately $43,896 in 2022. Those with more experience may have higher earning potential. To become an athletic
A record of success as an athlete or assistant
3. Nutritionist
Nutritionists can enjoy job stability, good pay, and the satisfaction of helping others improve their health. Their duties involve assessing clients’ nutritional habits, developing meal plans accordingly, and providing education on proper nutrition and healthy eating habits.
These professionals may also conduct research to stay informed on the latest techniques in nutrition science. In addition to interpersonal skills and empathy for others, successful nutritionists must thoroughly understand nutritional theories and dietary needs, which often includes obtaining additional education beyond a Kinesiology degree.
Depending on experience levels, job duties, and locality, nutritionists’ annual earnings may range from $32K—$85K. With such job perks, it’s no wonder that many kinesiology graduates are pursuing this career route.
Being a nutritionist can be a really rewarding career. You would potentially be making challenging and creative decisions all day long about how to help people solve their problems.
4. Physical therapist
Physical therapists provide care and rehabilitation to patients with various injuries, illnesses, and age-related conditions. Their duties typically include diagnosing mobility limitations, designing individualized treatment plans for each patient, helping train patients in exercise or other physical activities, and performing therapeutic massages or treatments.
With the rising demand for health services and an aging population, job prospects and salaries for physical therapists are generally excellent. Becoming qualified as a physical therapist requires completing a doctoral program, though some states may accept master’s degrees. These programs often last at least three years and involve fieldwork and substantial coursework in kinesiology, biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, neurology, and other related topics.
Once certified by passing a licensing exam, physical therapists often earn competitive salaries that range from low to mid-six figures with additional job benefits. All in all, becoming a physical therapist is an achievable goal that can provide job security and lucrative pay.
Part of the popular Secrets series, this helpful reference presents basic physical therapy concepts and then introduces different healing modalities, specialties and orthopedic procedures typically prescribed for common injuries such as shoulders and extremities.
Conclusion
With the current emphasis on healthy lifestyles, kinesiology professionals are in high demand. The job opportunities available to kinesiology graduates are vast and varied, making it an exciting field of study for those interested in health, fitness, and wellness. With the right education, you can find a career that fits your interests and experience.
If you’re ready to start your career in kinesiology, contact a
This comprehensive text offers an insightful and thorough overview of both the profession and the practice of physical therapy, including the latest topics and trends surrounding the industry.
