Last Updated on May 18, 2023

Online Exercise Science Degree

There are many online degree options for people looking to study and build a career in exercise science. It can be hard to select the right one, or even be sure if taking an online program is best for you. This guide will outline some of the benefits, costs, and what to expect from an online program. An online degree can open the door to a higher salary and a more fulfilling career, but of course since it will certainly be a large investment of time and money, it should be considered carefully and with due diligence.

What Can You Do with an Online Master’s Degree in Exercise Science?

There are really countless options for what someone could do with an exercise science degree. The field is changing quickly, and there is a lot of fascinating research along with valuable programs that can have a life-changing impact both on students and degree holders, as well as patients or clients.

There are various paths one could take including public health, nutrition, fitness, clinical, and business/corporate. There are many different jobs and job titles available in each field, and it is not uncommon for people who study exercise science to blaze their own trail and go into business for themselves. Let’s take a look at each of these fields. You can also take a look at the Exercise Science Career Guide if you are interested in the long term prospects of studying exercise science.

Sports Degrees Online recently spoke with Professor Kristof Kipp of Marquette University about the emergence of opportunities within exercise science as it relates to injury prevention. Professor Kipp explains,

“There’s been an increase in jobs at the professional sports level and within professional sports organizations who are looking for people with specific sports analytics qualifications… There are also biomechanics labs that are associated with orthopedic practices where they’re offering fee-for-service testing, injury screenings, and biomechanical or post-op assessments. We’ve had quite a few of our students not go into academia and go into those positions, which are pretty exciting. They get paid well and some of them get to travel a lot as well.”

Professor Kristof Kipp, Marquette University

Exercise Science and Public Health

If you are looking to get into public health, there are a lot of opportunities! For many, working for the government, whether it be at the local, state, or federal level, is very rewarding, stable, and provides great benefits. There are many agencies and organizations that work in health and exercise promotion and need qualified people to either design or implement health promotion and disease prevention interventions for communities. This truly can be very fulfilling work that has a true impact on society.

Exercise Science and Nutrition

Nutrition and Exercise Science go hand in hand. It is common for exercise science programs to include nutrition courses in their curriculum, and some programs even have a nutrition specialization. After successfully completing a degree and obtaining proper certifications and licensure, it is completely possible to become a dietician or nutritionist. If you are interested in this field, be sure to check out our Nutritional Science Career Guide.

Exercise Science and Fitness

This is a very popular path for people studying exercise science. There is certainly a demand in the fitness industry to hire people with the knowledge and know-how gained in an exercise science degree for various applications. You could be helping to design fitness equipment, crafting exercise regimes, working for apparel and equipment companies, or even working as a consultant for people looking to improve their personal fitness.

Exercise Science in a Clinical Setting

Medical facilities all over the country hire people with exercise science backgrounds to help with patient care. It is common for exercise and therapy routines to be tweaked or altered based on the circumstances of a patient, and with the proper degree and certification you could take part in the process and help people heal from an injury, rehab after an illness, or build back strength that could have been lost for any number of reasons.

Exercise Science in the Corporate and Business World

There is a big need for coaching and consulting related to physical performance and wellness. Corporations across the US invest millions of dollars every year in the wellness of their employees. If you enjoy helping people live for healthy and productive lives, then exploring corporate wellness could be a great field.

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Exercise Science Salary

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary is over $51,000/yr. Salaries are largely based on experience, position, and location.

Like with any industry, as you gain more experience, your salary should increase over time. This is also true if you decide to take a more entrepreneurial route and as you expand your client base and gain a more positive reputation, you will be in a position to charge more for your services.

There are many different types of jobs available to those who hold a degree in exercise science. While money should not be the only consideration when choosing a career, it certainly is an important factor. On the low end of the scale, fitness and personal trainers made an average of just over $40,000/yr, while dieticians and nutritionists made over $64,000/yr, and occupational therapists made over $86,280/yr.

Location is important as well, for example, states like Washington pay and Maryland pay over 10% above the national average. Exploring the labor market in various states and being flexible after obtaining your degree can really help your lifetime earnings when working in the exercise science field.

Online Exercise Science Degree Concentration and Focus areas

Biomechanics – A concentration in Biomechanics can prepare students for a wide range of careers in clinical, academic, and industrial settings. For students who are excited passionate. This is an excellent focus area for students who are excited about solving problems through collaboration, honing their research skills, and solving challenging problems within the field.

Injury Prevention and Performance Improvement – Graduates with a Master’s in Exercise Science are well qualified for a career of working with athletes to prevent injuries and maximize their potential. Many programs offer students the chance to specialize in this area to ensure they are ready to begin their career upon graduation. If you are seeking a career in this area, be sure to choose a program that allows you to specialize and prepare for any required certifications.

Sport Psychology – Sport and Exercise Psychology is now being offered as a concentration area for many exercise science and kinesiology master’s programs. With the trend toward treating the whole person, becoming qualified in sport psychology could be a wise choice for future graduates who are conscious of their marketability since many institutions are now required at least one certified professional on staff. For more information about Sport Psychology, be sure to check out our Sport Psychology Degree and Career guides.

 

Kinesiology and Exercise Science

Some people may be wondering what the difference is between kinesiology and exercise science. It is understandable as there is a fair amount of overlap.

Kinesiology is a broad field relating to the study of movement, function, and performance of the human body and how it relates to health. According to Oxford Reference, exercise science is “the study of the natural phenomena associated with physical activity and sport.” It can be thought of as a subfield of kinesiology that focuses on the human response to exercise and sport.

Jobs You Can Get with an Exercise Science Degree

Our Exercise Science Career Guide outlines potential jobs that one could gain with an exercise science degree and background, but for reference, we have listed these job titles below. Please note that some of these careers require additional certifications or degrees, and our career guide dives more deeply into that.

• Aerobics Instructor
• Athletic Scout
• Athletic Trainer
• Camp Director
• Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist
• Community Program Director
• Doctor
• Ergonomist
• Exercise Physiologist
• Fitness Coach
• Fitness Consultant
• Gym Manager
• Healthcare Consultant
• Health Educator
• Kinesiologist
• Massage Therapist
• Nutritionist
• Occupational Therapist
• Orthopedic Technician
• Personal Trainer
• Physical Therapist
• Physical Therapist Assistant
• Physician Assistant
• Physical Education Teacher
• Recreation and Sports Director
• Recreational Therapist
• Registered Dietician
• Registered Nurse
• Sales Representative in related field
• Spa Manager
• Sports Coach
• Sports Facility Manager
• Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Wellness Coordinator

What Subjects Should I Expect from an Online Master’s of Exercise Science Program?

Students should expect to take classes in a variety of subjects related to exercise science. In some cases you are able to choose a specialization such as public health, strength & conditioning, nutrition, wellness management, or exercise physiology. Depending on which specialization you choose (if you have the option), this will greatly impact what type of classes you are taking, and may impact what electives are available to you.

Online Exercise Science Master’s Degree Programs Offer Flexibility

If you are already a working professional, a big advantage of choosing a program with an online learning component is that you have a great deal of flexibility. Some students actually like studying online because it suits their learning style better — lectures are delivered via recording which can be re-watched, sped up, or slowed down to suit each individual’s needs.

Most schools that offer online master’s programs grant the same degree to both types of degree offerings. This means that there is effectively no difference in the final diploma that students receive regardless of how it was delivered

An online master’s degree in exercise science might also be more cost-effective than a traditional master’s program on campus. However, the benefits of experiential learning and networking opportunities found in traditional settings are significant. When comparing degree programs, be sure to ask detailed questions about how each university accounts for these aspects.

Between the projected growth of the sports industry and a public that is more interested in health and wellness than ever before, the timing is great to further your education and career. Be sure to visit our Exercise Science Career Page for more information about careers in the industry.

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