What Direction Will Your Degree Take You?
Kinesiology is the study of movement in the human body, in daily life, exercise, sport and other activity or work. It encompasses not only the physical, but also, to some extent, the psychological impact of how our bodies stay active.
To study kinesiology, you'll need to be comfortable with the sciences, but you'll also need to have excellent people skills. Many positions in the field of kinesiology are client- or patient-based, so personality matters.
Course Work in Kinesiology Degree Programs
Courses in kinesiology typically fall into one of five categories: health and fitness, physiology of exercise, motor development and learning, personal training and sports management. Under these headings, specific topics might include nutrition, anatomy, body image, therapeutic exercise and much more.
Along with courses in kinesiology, students will study complimentary subjects, such as biomechanics and biology, and develop skills that will help them in their career, such as marketing and self-promotion.
While it is possible to take a kinesiology degree program online, it is a largely hands-on profession, which means in-person training and demonstrations will be valuable. Often, the practical experience gained in a classroom is necessary to pursue advanced kinesiology programs as well.
Kinesiology Jobs
There are many specialties that one can choose to pursue after achieving a kinesiology degree, such as applied kinesiology (also known as chiropractic kinesiology, used to diagnose and determine therapy options for those with injuries or muscle and body issues), educational kinesiology (focusing on movements and exercise that help stimulate the mind), and many others.
There are also many positions open to those with kinesiology degrees. Personal training and fitness instruction are common paths, with many professionals choosing to work independently or as part of a team at a fitness facility. Other career options include occupational therapy and physical therapy, though these may require further training.
Outside of physical jobs, kinesiology grads are also able to work as sales reps for fitness equipment, leisure and recreation program coordinators and managers or supervisors of sports programs.
Salaries for kinesiology degree holders can be difficult to predict because of the broad range of jobs available. Those involved in therapy can expect salaries in the $50,000 to $60,000 range, while fitness instructors and personal trainers can often set their own hourly wage.
