Kinesiology major
Kinesiology: courses, careers, and where to study
Kinesiology studies human movement and exercise science, suiting students who want to work in fitness, rehabilitation, athletic training, or healthcare rather than treating disease.
A Kinesiology major studies the science of human movement, drawing on anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, motor control, and exercise science. Coursework pairs foundational sciences (human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, statistics) with applied subjects like exercise physiology, kinesiology and biomechanics, motor learning and development, nutrition, and the psychology of physical activity. Most programs award a BS or BA and include hands-on lab work plus an internship or practicum in a fitness, clinical, or athletic setting.
Graduates apply this training to design exercise programs, assess fitness and movement, support rehabilitation, and promote physical activity and wellness. The bachelor's degree leads into roles such as exercise physiologist, strength and conditioning coach, or fitness specialist, and it is also a common undergraduate path toward graduate study in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, or physician assistant programs.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of exercise physiologists to grow about 9.5% from 2024 to 2034, with a 2024 median wage of $58,160 for that occupation.
Academic classification (CIP)
In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Kinesiology maps to CIP 26.0908, Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology, within the BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES family. The official definition:
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physiological processes involved in physical or motor activity, including sensorimotor interactions, response mechanisms, and the effects of injury, disease, and disability. Includes instruction in muscular and skeletal anatomy; molecular and cellular basis of muscle contraction; fuel utilization; neurophysiology of motor mechanics; systemic physiological responses (respiration, blood flow, endocrine secretions, and others); fatigue and exhaustion; muscle and body training; physiology of specific exercises and activities; physiology of injury; and the effects of disabilities and disease.
Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov
What you'll study
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Exercise physiology and the body's response to physical activity
- Biomechanics and the mechanics of human movement
- Motor learning, motor control, and motor development
- Nutrition and its role in performance and health
- Exercise testing, prescription, and program design
- Psychology of physical activity and behavior change
- Internship or practicum in a fitness, clinical, or athletic setting
Typical careers
- Exercise physiologists
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Fitness / Wellness Specialist
- Athletic Trainer (with required credential)
- Pre-Physical Therapy / DPT Pathway
- Rehabilitation Aide
Typical salary range: Informational, occupation-wide across all experience levels (BLS, 2024 median wage of $58,160 for exercise physiologists)Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.
Before you commit to a Kinesiology major
CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Kinesiology program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.
Ask the Kinesiology department
- Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
- What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
- What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
- Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?
Ask current students & check the curriculum
- How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
- What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
- Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
- How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Find a Kinesiology program
CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Kinesiology programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.
Related majors
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Biology
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Psychology
Psychology majors study human cognition, behavior, and emotion, preparing graduates for clinical, research, business, and human-services careers (and graduate school in clinical, counseling, and I/O psych).
Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrition and Dietetics studies how food and nutrients affect health, preparing graduates to assess diets and plan medical nutrition therapy in clinical, community, and food-service settings.
How this guide is sourced
This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.