Kinesiology Schools and Programs in The United States

Kinesiology Studies in The United States

Kinesiology is the study of physical activity and human movement. The University of Minnesota, which has a School of Kinesiology, adds that it is applied to various contexts, including exercise, health care and sports. In the United States it is a science-based university subject that brings together exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor behaviour and the psychology of sport and exercise. Many universities teach the same content under the name exercise science.

The subject has two uses. It leads directly to work in fitness, coaching and health promotion, and it is a common first degree for students who later train in a health profession such as physical therapy.

How the degree is organised

The usual qualification is a Bachelor of Science (BS), which EducationUSA says is usually completed in four years of full-time study. Students normally choose a specialisation within the degree. At The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), the BS in Kinesiology requires a minimum of 120 credits and has three options: Applied Exercise and Health, Movement Science and Exercise Science. All options require a final practicum or research experience. The Movement Science option covers biomechanics, exercise physiology, movement neuroscience and the psychology of physical activity, and prepares students for graduate study in clinical fields.

Other universities divide the subject in similar ways. The University of Maine offers a BS in Kinesiology and Physical Education with four concentrations: Exercise Science, Exercise Science (Pre-Athletic Training), Health and Physical Education, and Outdoor Leadership. SUNY Cortland has undergraduate programmes in coaching, exercise science and sport studies, and combined routes with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. The University of Minnesota offers three undergraduate majors, among them a BS in kinesiology, and six graduate programmes, including an MS and a PhD in kinesiology.

At graduate level the subject splits into research degrees and professional degrees. The University of Connecticut's Department of Kinesiology, for example, offers exercise science at BS, MS and PhD level, a master's in athletic training and a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). EducationUSA describes the master's in general as a two-year degree.

Admission and language

EducationUSA states that undergraduate applicants in general must have completed high school and be at least 17 years old, and that US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. The search for a programme should begin 12 to 18 months before the academic year. Teaching is in English.

To study on an F student visa, students must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Where to study kinesiology in the United States

The schools on this page are spread across the country, with no city that stands out. Most are large public universities: Penn State in University Park, the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, the University of Connecticut in Storrs, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, The University of Texas at Austin, San Diego State University, the University of Maryland in College Park, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Maine in Orono. Smaller institutions on the list include SUNY Cortland, Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. Community colleges such as Lansing Community College offer the first two years; EducationUSA calls this the "2+2" route.

Recognition and licensed professions

A bachelor's degree in kinesiology is an academic degree, not a licence to treat patients. This matters for readers from countries where a kinesiologist is a physiotherapist. In the United States, physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, and all states require them to be licensed, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). DPT programmes typically last three years and typically require a bachelor's degree with prerequisite courses such as anatomy, chemistry and physics. Athletic trainers typically need a master's degree from an accredited programme, and nearly all states require a licence or certification.

Teaching physical education in public schools needs a state certificate; Penn State notes that one of its options can lead to Pennsylvania certification in health and physical education (K-12).

Careers

SUNY Cortland lists the fitness industry (personal trainer or strength and conditioning specialist), athletic training, coaching and research among the careers in the field.

The closest occupation in official statistics is the exercise physiologist, who develops fitness and exercise programmes to help people improve their health. According to the BLS, exercise physiologists typically need a bachelor's degree in exercise science, exercise physiology or a related field. They held about 21,200 jobs in 2025, and employment is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035. For graduates who continue their training, the BLS projects growth of 12 percent for physical therapists and 13 percent for athletic trainers over the same period.

Frequently asked questions

Is a kinesiology degree the same as physiotherapy?

No. In the United States a kinesiology degree studies human movement and does not license graduates to treat patients. Physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and a state licence, according to the BLS.

How long does a kinesiology degree take?

A BS usually takes four years of full-time study; Penn State requires a minimum of 120 credits. A DPT after the bachelor's typically adds three years.

What is the difference between kinesiology and exercise science?

The content overlaps and the name depends on the university. At Penn State and the University of Maine, exercise science is one option within the kinesiology degree; the University of Connecticut's Department of Kinesiology names its degree Exercise Science.