Last Updated on January 9, 2023

Online Kinesiology Degree Guide 2023

There are a lot of great programs out there offering flexibility, and the ability to study kinesiology in the comfort of your own home. When examining programs, one should look at the total cost, the number of credits, and other relevant details like if standardized test scores are required, or if there is financial support and scholarships available. Programs also could run synchronous, meaning each class has students at the same time the professor is lecturing, usually giving students maximum opportunities to ask questions and engage with peers. Alternatively, programs could run asynchronously, which enables students to watch lectures when it is convenient for them and there are likely set office hours where students can bring their questions to a professor or a teaching assistant.

There are a lot of factors that should go into the decision-making process when looking at different programs and schools. This guide will highlight some of the facets of a master’s program which will aid you in your program selection.

The American Kinesiology Association’s position is that “[Kinesiology is] one of the Fastest Growing (But Often Misunderstood) Majors in Academia.” We are hoping to demystify it for you and educate readers on the various options available to students.

Masters in Kinesiology Online

Studying online had steadily been growing before the Covid-19 Pandemic, but of course, colleges and universities have accelerated quickly in their adoption of online learning since the start of the pandemic. Now there are even more options and added flexibility for students which is great!

Students should consider which field and concentration they want to study in and their ultimate career goals. To take a peek at the types of careers, and some helpful advice in your job search, you can check out our Kinesiology Careers Guide. It is best to narrow down whether you aim to focus on human performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation, public health, research, academia, or another field. Having even a vague idea of your career aspirations can certainly aid in narrowing down which program is best for you.

Kinesiology Definition and What is Kinesiology?

The term ‘kinesiology’ can be traced back to Greek Origin. ‘Kinesis’ translates to ‘movement’, and ‘logia’ is usually translated as ‘to study.’ Merriam-Webster defines ‘kinesiology’ as the study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement.

If this sounds like a broad definition, it is because it is one! Kinesiology is a broad field by nature and encompasses many different fields and topics. Many times, schools will include programs in the kinesiology department that do not necessarily align with the scientific definition, but are loosely related to movement and sport. The American Kinesiology Association highlights that kinesiology departments generally have various specialized areas including “s biomechanics, sociocultural foundations of sport, sport and exercise psychology, exercise physiology, motor behavior, physical education teacher education, athletic training, sport medicine, and sport management.”

As you can see, kinesiology as a topic, and as a department at a university covers a lot of ground.

Kinesiology Careers

There are numerous opportunities and careers that a kinesiology degree could lead to. Check out our Kinesiology Careers Page for more information. Here is a short list of different jobs you could attain with a degree in kinesiology. Note that some of these positions require additional schooling or certifications on top of a master’s degree.

• Athletic trainer
• Coach
• Exercise physiologist
• Fitness instructor
• Sports medicine physician
• Occupational therapist
• Orthopedic surgeon
• Personal trainer
• Physical therapist
• Physical education teacher
• Rehabilitation therapist
• Strength and conditioning coach
• Sport Scout
• Kinesiologist/Kinesiotherapist
• Kinesiology professor
• Kinesiology researcher

Kinesiology Salary

With a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology, one would expect to make over $50,000/yr according to PayScale.com. Here are some salaries for popular careers that are possible with a Master’s degree in Kinesiology according to the University of Florida. Note that these salaries are median salaries for people holding this title that have a master’s degree in kinesiology.

1. Exercise Physiologist: $56,433
2. Fitness Instructor: $56,319
3. Personal Trainer: $42,190
4. Strength & Conditioning Coach: $53,062
5. Sport Coach: $57,429
6. Sport Scout: $57,429
7. Physical Therapist: $79,807
8. Occupational Therapist: $72,700

As you can see, the salaries of each career choice vary through a pretty broad range. While we do not recommend money being the number one criteria for your career-related decisions, it certainly is an important factor. Hopefully, you are able to find a career that is rewarding, fulfilling, and lucrative! Luckily, kinesiology has a lot of options…it is up to you to find the right one!

Kinesiology and Exercise Science

Kinesiology is a broader topic, of which exercise science is a subfield. If you are interested in careers related to exercise science, you can check out our Exercise Science Careers Page. Similarly, if you are looking to study exercise science online, take a peek at our Exercise Science Online Master’s Page.

Kinesiology Vs. Physical Therapist

A therapist with a background in kinesiology, commonly labeled kinesiotherapist, will work with athletes, usually helping them recover from injury or maximize their physical performance. Whereas a physical therapist will work with athletes and non-athletes alike, often helping them recover from an injury, ailment, or surgery.

(Jump ahead to School Listings)

Cost of an Online Kinesiology Degree

According to CNBC, half of the student debt in the U.S. is owned by graduate degree holders. Graduate school is expensive. There is no way around that, but there is a lot you can do to defray the cost. Some employers offer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement. If your employer has this, and you are able to go to school part-time in an online program, then you may not need to worry much about the cost! However, these jobs are few and far between, so what other strategies are out there?

We recommend taking a hard look at scholarships. You can look at scholarships offered in your area, or maybe related to the job you are considering. For example, occupationaltherpay.com offers two annual scholarships, each $5,000 for future occupational therapists. Almost every field has a similar scholarship program, it just takes some research to find it! There are also more general sites like scholarships.com that compile different scholarship opportunities together to make your search a bit easier!

Another general strategy is to keep costs let from the beginning. You should look at programs that you can repay in monthly payments that are about 8-10% of your future salary. You can of course offset the cost by working through school, or by gaining a teaching assistantship or research assistantship. Admittedly, this is a bit rarer in online programs, but not nonexistent! As long as you keep costs low and study hard, the ultimate degree will almost certainly pay dividends on the investment you have made with your time and hard-earned money!

Available Degrees: