Kinesiology & Exercise Science
The science of human movement, fitness, and physical performance.
Kinesiology studies how the human body moves, and how exercise, training, and rehabilitation affect it, covering biomechanics, exercise physiology, and motor control. It often serves as a foundation for careers or graduate study in physical therapy, athletic training, or fitness and wellness.
Lab work involving movement analysis and physiological testing (like measuring heart rate response to exercise) is common, alongside applied coursework in program design for fitness or rehabilitation settings.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Human Anatomy & Physiology
- ✓Exercise Physiology
- ✓Biomechanics
- ✓Motor Learning & Control
- ✓Nutrition for Performance
- ✓Strength & Conditioning
- ✓Rehabilitation Science Fundamentals
- ✓Research Methods in Kinesiology
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Human Anatomy & Physiology
- +General education requirement
- ✓Exercise Physiology
- +General education requirement
- ✓Biomechanics
- +General education requirement
- ✓Motor Learning & Control
- +Free elective
- ✓Nutrition for Performance
- +Free elective
- ✓Strength & Conditioning
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Rehabilitation Science Fundamentals
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Research Methods in Kinesiology
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Interested in sports, fitness, or human movement
- ★Enjoys both science and hands-on physical application
- ★Considering physical therapy, athletic training, or coaching paths
- ★Comfortable with anatomy-heavy coursework
Common minors & double-major pairings
Nutrition · Psychology · Biology
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
Physical Therapist
Helps patients recover movement and manage pain after injury or illness.
Occupational Therapist
Helps people regain independence in daily activities after injury, illness, or disability.
Athletic Trainer
Prevents, evaluates, and treats injuries in athletes and physically active people.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Kinesiology & Exercise Science major?
The science of human movement, fitness, and physical performance.
What courses do Kinesiology & Exercise Science majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Human Anatomy & Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Kinesiology & Exercise Science program?
Kinesiology & Exercise Science coursework typically builds skills like Understanding human movement and biomechanics, Exercise program design, Physiological testing and measurement, Injury prevention principles.
Is Kinesiology & Exercise Science a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Interested in sports, fitness, or human movement" or "Enjoys both science and hands-on physical application" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a Kinesiology & Exercise Science degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Athletic Trainer. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with Kinesiology & Exercise Science?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Nutrition, Psychology, Biology.
How is Kinesiology & Exercise Science different from Athletic Training?
They're related but distinct. Kinesiology & Exercise Science: The science of human movement, fitness, and physical performance. Athletic Training: Preventing, diagnosing, and treating movement-related injuries. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Kinesiology & Exercise Science degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/kinesiology-exercise-science