• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
SportsDegreesOnline.org
  • Bachelor’s Degree
    • Exercise Science
    • Kinesiology
    • Sport Management
    • Sport Psychology Degree Guide 2023
  • Master’s Degree
    • Athletic Training
    • Coaching
    • Esports
    • Exercise Science
    • Kinesiology
    • MBA in Sport Management
    • Sport Administration
    • Sports Analytics
    • Sport Management
    • Sport Psychology
  • Online Programs
    • Online Master’s in Sport Management
    • Find the Best Online Master’s in Sports Administration Degrees in 2023
    • Online Master’s in Exercise Science
    • Online Master’s in Kinesiology
    • Online Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management 2023
    • Best Online MBA in Sports Management Degrees: Online MBA in Sport Management 2023
  • Certificates
    • Personal Training
    • Sport Analytics
    • Sport Psychology
  • Careers in Sports
    • Athletic Training
    • Coaching and Scouting
    • Esports
    • Exercise Science and Kinesiology
    • Nutritional Science and Health Science
    • Sport Analytics
    • Sports Law and Athlete Representation
    • Sport Management
    • Sports Media, Journalism, and Broadcasting
    • Sport Psychology
    • Sports Marketing
  • Resources
    • Guide to Jobs in Sports 2023
    • Internships in Sports 2023
    • Guide for Negotiating Your Salary
    • Job Guide for People of Color in Sports
    • Job Guide for Veterans
    • Job Guide for Women in Sports
    • LGBTQA+ Sports Industry Guide
    • Sport Scholarship Guide for 2023
  • Expert Interviews
Home / Online Sports Degrees / Find the Best Online Kinesiology Degrees in 2023

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:

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

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

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

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

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

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)

Delivery Method: Online

Credits Required: 36 Credit Hours

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Primary Sidebar

Master’s Degrees

  • Overview
  • Athletic Training
  • Exercise Science
  • Kinesiology
  • Sport Administration
  • Sports Analytics
  • Sport Management
  • MBA in Sport Management
  • Sport Psychology
  • Coaching

Footer

Menu

  • About Us
  • Expert Interviews with Leaders in Academia & the Sports Industry
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Expert Interviews with Leaders in Academia & the Sports Industry
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023