What Can You Do With a Kinesiology Degree?

A kinesiology degree, the study of human movement, is a common launch point for physical therapy, occupational therapy and physician assistant programs. It also leads directly to jobs in fitness, strength and conditioning, rehab support, wellness, coaching and health-related sales. Many of the best-known careers need graduate school, so decide early which path you are aiming for and which prerequisite courses it requires.

The big fork: grad school or work right away

Kinesiology students tend to split into two groups. One is headed for a clinical graduate program and treats undergrad as preparation. The other wants to work in fitness, sport or wellness after four years. Both are valid. The mistake is drifting without choosing, then discovering senior year that a program you want requires chemistry or physics you never took.

What the coursework builds

Anatomy and physiology: how the body is built and how it responds to stress, training and injury.
Biomechanics: the physics of movement, useful in rehab, coaching and product design.
Exercise prescription: designing safe programs for different people and goals.
Working with people: coaching, motivating and explaining things to clients who are nervous or hurting.
Reading data: lab work with heart rate, strength and movement measurements.

Grad school and licensed paths

Each program sets its own prerequisites, often including biology, chemistry, physics, psychology and statistics, plus observation or patient care hours. Check the requirements of several programs by your second year.

Physical therapist: requires a doctor of physical therapy degree and a license. See how to become a physical therapist.
Occupational therapist: requires a graduate degree and a license. See how to become an occupational therapist.
Physician assistant: requires a master’s program and a national exam, and programs often want hands-on patient care experience. See how to become a physician assistant.
Athletic trainer: now requires a master’s from an accredited program, a board exam and, in most states, a license.
Physician or chiropractor: doctoral programs with their own science requirements. See how to become a doctor.

Jobs with a bachelor’s

Personal trainer: a degree plus a respected training credential makes you stand out. See how to become a personal trainer.
Strength and conditioning coach: often starts as an assistant or graduate assistant role with teams.
Rehab aide or physical therapy technician: supports clinicians and builds the patient hours grad programs want.
Cardiac or pulmonary rehab assistant: helps patients exercise safely under supervision.
Corporate wellness or recreation coordinator: runs programs for employers, cities and campuses.
Medical device or fitness equipment sales: rewards people who understand the body and like talking with clinicians.
Physical education teacher or coach: teaching in public schools requires a state license. See how to become a teacher.

Making the degree work before graduation

Shadow in two or three settings, such as outpatient orthopedics, a hospital and a sports team, and log your hours carefully.
Protect your grades in science prerequisites; retakes cost time.
Work part time as a rehab aide, trainer or coach. Our guide to working while in college helps you balance it.
Join a research lab in your department, even just collecting data.
Add a minor in psychology, nutrition or business depending on your direction.
Line up a summer internship. See college internships.

If your grad school plan stalls

Ask programs that turned you down what would strengthen your application.
Take a year working in a clinic to build hours and a clearer reason for applying.
Retake or add courses where your record is weak.
Apply to a wider list next cycle, or to a related program, such as occupational therapy instead of physical therapy.
If your heart is not in it anymore, read should I go to grad school and consider the bachelor’s-level paths above.

Common worries

Is kinesiology just a gym degree? No. It is science-heavy, and many students use it as a pre-health major. Is it worth it if I do not go to grad school? It can be, if you add a credential and experience in fitness, rehab or wellness. For outlook on specific jobs, check the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. If you are an athlete, our page on mentoring for student athletes covers balancing sport and school.

Where a mentor helps

A mentor helps kinesiology students choose between grad school and work, map prerequisites and observation hours, plan internships and applications, and stay accountable through the process. Mentors are not admissions counselors or credentialed career counselors. See mentoring for college students and our career and education focus.

Common questions

Is kinesiology a good major for physical therapy school?

It is one of the most common, because it covers much of the background PT programs expect. You still need to meet each program’s specific prerequisites.

What jobs can I get with only a kinesiology bachelor’s?

Common options include personal training, strength coaching, rehab aide work, cardiac rehab support, wellness programs and medical device sales.

How is kinesiology different from exercise science?

They overlap heavily. Course names and emphasis differ by college, so compare the actual classes rather than the major title.

Do athletic trainers need a master’s degree?

Yes. Entry into the profession now requires a master’s from an accredited program, plus a board exam.

Get started

Studying kinesiology and want help planning grad school or your first job? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.

What Can You Do With a Kinesiology Degree? Careers and Grad Paths