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.
- Exercise Physiologist: $56,433
- Fitness Instructor: $56,319
- Personal Trainer: $42,190
- Strength & Conditioning Coach: $53,062
- Sport Coach: $57,429
- Sport Scout: $57,429
- Physical Therapist: $79,807
- 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:
Augusta University | Auburn, GA
MS in Kinesiology
Augusta University | Auburn, GA
MS in Kinesiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36
Total Tuition: $2,752 in-state, $9,386 out-of-state, per semester, 12 credit hours
GRE (or GMAT) Required: Yes
East Texas Baptist University | Marshall, TX
Master of Science in Kinesiology
East Texas Baptist University | Marshall, TX
Master of Science in Kinesiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 30
Local Tuition (per Credit Hour): $377
Out of State Tuition (per Credit Hour): $377
GRE (or GMAT) Required: Yes
Fresno Pacific University | Fresno, CA
Master of Arts in Kinesiology with Physical Education Emphasis
Fresno Pacific University | Fresno, CA
Master of Arts in Kinesiology with Physical Education Emphasis
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36
Local Tuition (per Credit Hour): $705
Out of State Tuition (per Credit Hour): $705
GRE (or GMAT) Required: Yes
Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA
Master of Science in Kinesiology – Coaching Education or Physical Education Concentration
Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA
Master of Science in Kinesiology – Coaching Education or Physical Education Concentration
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36 Credit Hours
Total Tuition: $29,832 per year
GRE (or GMAT) Required: No
Earn your Master’s in kinesiology with a concentration in either Coaching Education or Physical Education and learn to be a more effective coach or a certified physical education teacher.
Hardin-Simmons University | Abilene, TX
Master of Science in Kinesiology, Sport & Recreation
Hardin-Simmons University | Abilene, TX
Master of Science in Kinesiology, Sport & Recreation
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 30 Credit Hours
Local Tuition (per Credit Hour): $495
This program is recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and its ethos is guided by Christian faith and values. It applies the theory necessary to give its students real-world, practical skills.
Louisiana State University | Baton Rouge, LA
Online Master in Kinesiology with a Specialization in Health Promotion and Sport Performance
Louisiana State University | Baton Rouge, LA
Online Master in Kinesiology with a Specialization in Health Promotion and Sport Performance
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36 Credit Hours
Out of State Tuition (per Credit Hour): $639
GRE (or GMAT) Required: Yes
LSU’s collegiate sports programs have a legendary reputation for excellence, and this program is the chance for you to learn from the very best.
Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, LA
Master of Kinesiology (2 Tracks)
Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, LA
Master of Kinesiology (2 Tracks)
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36 Credit Hours
Michigan Technological University | Houghton, MI
M.S in Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology
Michigan Technological University | Houghton, MI
M.S in Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 30
Total Tuition: $22,458 annually, tuition only
GRE (or GMAT) Required: No
Minot State University | Minot, ND
Master’s in Teacher Education and Kinesiology
Minot State University | Minot, ND
Master’s in Teacher Education and Kinesiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36
Total Tuition: $427.64 per credit, capped between 12-18 credits
GRE (or GMAT) Required: Yes
Northeastern State University | Tahlequah, OK
Master of Science in Health and Sport Science
Northeastern State University | Tahlequah, OK
Master of Science in Health and Sport Science
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 32
Concentrations: Health Education, Sport Administration
Local Tuition (per Credit Hour): $292
Out of State Tuition (per Credit Hour): $606
GRE (or GMAT) Required: Yes
Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX
M.S in Health and Kinesiology
Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX
M.S in Health and Kinesiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 30-36
Total Tuition: $9,568 in-state, $17,728 out-of-state, full-time tuition and fees per 9 month academic year
GRE (or GMAT) Required: Yes
Stephen F. Austin State University | Nacogdoches, TX
Master of Science in Kinesiology
Stephen F. Austin State University | Nacogdoches, TX
Master of Science in Kinesiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36 Credit Hours
Local Tuition (per Credit Hour): $706
Out of State Tuition (per Credit Hour): $1,524
Stephen F. Austin features the Human Performance Lab, which is a state of the art facility that measures physiological and psychological outputs and performance from test subjects. Students will use this equipment for both research and to deepen their understanding of material taught in the classroom. Students also have a Thesis and Non-Thesis Option.
Texas A&M University ÐCorpus Christi | Corpus Christi, TX
Master of Science in Kinesiology
Texas A&M University ÐCorpus Christi | Corpus Christi, TX
Master of Science in Kinesiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36
Total Tuition: $16,052 in-state, $35,106 out-of-state, tuition and fees, per academic year, 2 semesters, 24 credit hours total
GRE (or GMAT) Required: Yes
Texas A&M University | College Station, TX
Master’s in Kinesiology (online)
Texas A&M University | College Station, TX
Master’s in Kinesiology (online)
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36
Concentrations: Sport Management, Health Education
Total Tuition: $7,091 in-state, $15,275 out-of-state tuition and fees, per 9-month academic year
GRE (or GMAT) Required: No
Texas WomenÕs University | Denton, TX
Department of Kinesiology
Texas WomenÕs University | Denton, TX
Department of Kinesiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36
Concentrations: Coaching
Total Tuition: $7,776 in-state, $15,138 out-of-state, tuition and fees for fall and spring semesters combined at 9 credit hours each
GRE (or GMAT) Required: Yes
The University of Texas System | Austin, TX
Master of Science in Kinesiology
The University of Texas System | Austin, TX
Master of Science in Kinesiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 39 Credit Hours
Local Tuition (per Credit Hour): $413
Out of State Tuition (per Credit Hour): $1,470
Many courses that make up the MS in Kinesiology curriculum are part of the cross-campus enrollment program, meaning that a student could take courses in El Paso, Permian Basin, or the Rio Grande Valley Campus.
Tulane University | New Orleans, LA
Master’s in Sport Studies
Tulane University | New Orleans, LA
Master’s in Sport Studies
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 30
Concentrations: Sport Studies
Total Tuition: $1,119 per credit hour, tuition only
GRE (or GMAT) Required: Yes
University of Alabama -Tuscaloosa | Tuscaloosa, AL
Department of Kinesiology
University of Alabama -Tuscaloosa | Tuscaloosa, AL
Department of Kinesiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 30
Concentrations: Sport Pedagogy, Exercise Science, General Studies
Total Tuition: $5,390 in-state, $15,125 out-of-state, per semester with 9-15 credit hours
GRE (or GMAT) Required: Yes
University of Louisiana at Monroe | Monroe, LA
M.S. in Exercise Science
University of Louisiana at Monroe | Monroe, LA
M.S. in Exercise Science
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36
Concentrations: Sport Management
Total Tuition: $500 per credit hour plus professional fees if applicable
GRE (or GMAT) Required: No
University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, GA
Master of Science with a Major in Kinesiology
University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, GA
Master of Science with a Major in Kinesiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 30 Credit Hours
Local Tuition (per Credit Hour): $230
Out of State Tuition (per Credit Hour): $916
GRE (or GMAT) Required: No
This program is geared towards people who have experience in the world of physical education, or hold a degree in exercise science and are looking to perform research which could help assess and mold the curriculum of schools or the practices of athletic organizations.
University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler, TX
Master of Science in Health and Kinesiology
University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler, TX
Master of Science in Health and Kinesiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36
Total Tuition: $11,012 in-state, $22,780 out-of-state, tuition and fees, per academic year, 2 semesters, 24 credit hours total
GRE (or GMAT) Required: Yes
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, TX
Master of Science in Kinesiology
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, TX
Master of Science in Kinesiology
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36
Total Tuition: $16,000 total
GRE (or GMAT) Required: No
Urbana University | Champaign, Il
Master of Science in Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Urbana University | Champaign, Il
Master of Science in Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 36
Local Tuition (per Credit Hour): $712
Out of State Tuition (per Credit Hour): $712
GRE (or GMAT) Required: No