Career Resources

Kinesiology is an academic discipline that involves the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society, and quality of life (AKA, 2013). It includes areas such as biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor behavior, sociology, philosophy, history of physical activity, and sport and exercise psychology. Careers in these fields can be clinical, research-based, or lead to careers in teaching at the collegiate level.

Graduate Programs in Kinesiology

You may wish to pursue a graduate degree in Kinesiology. While there are many options, the MS and PhD programs at Penn State provide a good example of what's offered.

Health Professions

Medicine

Kinesiology majors interested in pursuing medical school or other advanced professional health schooling can enter the Pre-Health program at USF simultaneously while completing their degree.

Physical Therapy

Work with patients to reduce pain, rehabilitate and injury and restore mobility in clinics, hospitals, schools, and fitness centers.
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Occupational Therapy

Help clients improve their ability to perform activities of daily living in hospitals, day care facilities, schools, private practice, and workplaces.
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

Athletic Training

Work with athletes to prevent, treat, and rehabilitate injuries in schools, universities, hospitals, health clinics, or with professional sports teams.
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)

Chiropractic

Correct alignment, alleviate pain, and improve function by focusing on the relationship between the body’s structure and function.
Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC)

Fitness Professions

Personal Training

Provide one-on-one instruction and mentorship to help clients achieve their exercise and health goals in corporate gyms, club gyms, or outdoors.

Popular personal training certification programs:

Strength and Conditioning

Help clients (mainly athletes) improve their strength and fitness toward reaching specific performance or sport goals in high schools or universities, fitness centers, or physical therapy clinics, or with professional sports teams.
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)