Are you intrigued by how the body works when it is in motion? If you want to study the science of movement—whether for sport, exercise, or just everyday activity—then getting a kinesiology online degree may be the perfect way for you to turn your passion into a profession. An online bachelor degree in kinesiology and exercise science can allow you to complete your undergraduate degree on your own schedule. You can continue to work or fulfill family responsibilities while you study. With great options for online degree programs, you can prepare to enter many careers within kinesiology. Soon, you could be working with the human body in motion, from athletic training or physical therapy to health and wellness management.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Who Gets an Online Kinesiology Degree? | Kinesiology vs Exercise Science | What Kind of Jobs Can You Get With an Exercise Science Degree? | How Much Money Can You Make With a Kinesiology Degree? | Choosing the Best Online Bachelor Degree Kinesiology | Top 6 Online Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology
Who Gets an Online Kinesiology Degree?
People from all walks of life enter an online bachelor degree in kinesiology and exercise science. Especially programs that make it convenient by offering fully online completion can work for many people. Most programs accept transfer credits, so if you have already done some college courses, you may have a jump start on getting your kinesiology degree online. For younger students just out of high school, an online bachelor degree kinesiology can help you enter professions where you can work with the human body, whether as a coach, a teacher, or to work in health care professions. For older students who may be transitioning from other careers, bachelor degree kinesiology jobs may provide career options that are more meaningful and satisfying. No matter your age, if you are inspired by health and physical movement, a kinesiology bachelor’s degree can open up a range of professions where you can love your job.
GetEducated Sponsored Picks
- Concordia University, St. Paul Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science
- East Central University Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
- Eastern Oregon University Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science in Health & Human Performance
Kinesiology vs Exercise Science
Kinesiology is the science of movement or exercise, and you will see that degrees called “kinesiology” or “exercise science” cover mostly the same subjects. Some of the best bachelor degree kinesiology jobs are in exercise science. Kinesiology vs exercise science jobs may not be very different, as exercise science is essentially a narrower field within kinesiology focusing more on exercise and its effects on the human body. An online kinesiology degree offers a broader look at human movement and the science behind it. With either degree type, numerous job options are open to graduates.
What Kind of Jobs Can You Get With an Exercise Science Degree?
Many online bachelor degree in kinesiology and exercise science graduates want a career as an athletic trainer, a fitness instructor, a coach, or a phys ed teacher. Becoming an exercise physiologist, which involves analyzing people’s fitness to help them improve their health, is another option. Online bachelor degree kinesiology programs can also be preparation for people who want to go into fields like physical therapy or occupational therapy. Jobs that involve movement and health can also include management of sports facilities, sports scouting, recreational therapy, community health, and other wellness professions. For the most dedicated, a career as a chiropractor, physical therapist, or occupational therapist might be the ultimate goal after completing an online kinesiology degree. The best online kinesiology degree program will prepare graduates for a broad range of possible careers. Some even preparing them to sit for national certification exams in different disciplines like sports medicine, exercise physiology, professional training, or strength and fitness.
So, what kind of jobs can you get with an exercise science degree? As you can see, there are lots of good options. And you don’t need to know exactly which direction you want to take your career before you start a kinesiology degree online. Careers in fitness and allied health are great options for graduates to use their skills on the job. Enthusiasm for the science of movement and a concern for the health benefits of exercise are all you need to get started. Most of these professions are predicted to have faster than average job growth over the next decade according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, so there will be jobs available.
How Much Money Can You Make With a Kinesiology Degree?
Becoming a fitness instructor doesn’t require the undergraduate degree, but with the degree, you are assured of being competitive for jobs that have a median annual salary of $40,390. Athletic trainers do need a bachelor’s degree, and their average salary is a bit higher at $48,440. Exercise physiologists can expect to make an average of $49,170, while recreational therapists can bring in an average of $48,220 per year. Making a decent living by doing a job that you love is a win for anyone who loves sports, exercise, movement, and health.
For those who plan to use an online bachelor degree in kinesiology and exercise science as a career springboard to an occupation therapist, the expected salary will be even higher, at $84,950. Physical therapists typically make $89,440 a year. For students who plan on using a kinesiology degree to start working in a related field while pursuing a career in the health sciences, there are many avenues that the online kinesiology degree will help you prepare for.
Choosing the Best Online Bachelor Degree Kinesiology
As you consider whether to enroll in a kinesiology vs exercise science bachelor’s degree program, think about your interests. All kinesiology programs will have courses in anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, injury prevention, nutrition, health and fitness assessment, exercise psychology, and first aid and safety. Programs that are more focused on exercise science may have more advanced courses in sport management, biomechanics, assessment, sports performance, and more. But each program has individual courses that may be fascinating to you. Take a look at the curriculum of the programs you are considering to help you decide what most inspires you.
Online kinesiology degree programs also have a capstone or internship requirement. This means you will have a chance to do a hands-on project or apply your skills in an internship near your home. These experiences provide an opportunity to practice your skills as you move towards working professionally in exercise, training, health, or education. Hands-on experiences during your study can also give you an opportunity to spread your wings and use the knowledge and skills you have gained to start having a positive impact on people’s lives.
Top 5 Online Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology
Whatever your interest, you will discover the amazing science of movement and health while you pursue a great undergraduate degree in a fun and useful subject: kinesiology. Here is a cost ranking of the highest-quality online bachelor degree in kinesiology and exercise science you can take completely online:
American Public University System
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $34,500
With a free online application that you can complete in as little as 15 minutes, American Public University’s online BS in Sports & Health Sciences can get you started towards your dream career in no time at all. Along with no-cost transfer credit evaluations for experience or previous coursework, APU offers many options to fast-track your education, saving you time and money on the way to an online kinesiology degree. Classes start every month in this convenient and flexible program, allowing working students to fit in their study around a busy life. Affordable tuition rates and discounts for military and veteran students make the cost of education easier on the wallet for all students. Textbooks and eBooks are provided at no charge to registered undergraduate students, saving you even more money. APU even has support staff who can guide you through the process of accessing military education benefits, applying for federal student aid, and locating scholarships, private loans, or employee benefits finance your education.
For students who want to help people optimize their health and wellness, the BS program at APU fits the bill, with courses in exercise science, sports psychology, anatomy and physiology, and kinesiology. Students will learn how to apply exercise science to fitness and sport activities, motivate people to improve physical performance, educate people about basic health and nutrition, and manage sports injuries with basic first aid principles. Experienced faculty with professional experience in athletic training, physical therapy, fitness management, coaching and nutrition counseling guide students in this well-rounded bachelor’s degree program. APU is devoted to educating military and social service-minded students, providing high-quality, affordable degrees that can help students launch a career in allied health or fitness. The support and student resources available at APU make completing a degree easier, with an award-winning online library and innovative online curriculum to help you study smarter. For those who want to help improve health and fitness in their communities, the BS in Sports & Health Sciences from APU makes an excellent, cost-effective, and convenient choice.
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Bachelor of Science in Sports & Health SciencesUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $45,968
Eight-week accelerated course scheduling options are just one of the great features of the online BS in Kinesiology Health Promotion & Wellness from University of Louisiana at Lafayette. They offer the same flat-rate tuition to students no matter where they are located, offer the courses 100% online, and prepare students to sit for the national exam to become a Certified Health Education Specialist. Most classes are offered in a 16-week format, with the option to take some accelerated classes. Students are also required to perform a clinical internship, which can be completed in the student’s own community. The program is authorized in almost all states and territories, but check their list to make sure the program is available in your state of residence. Transfer credits may be awarded with submission of an official college transcript. The kinesiology program online at University of Louisiana is a terrific choice for students who want health education certification from a recognized and affordable online program.
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Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology / Health Promotion & WellnessConcordia University, St. Paul
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $50,400
Short 7-week courses are one of the convenient features of Concordia University, St. Paul’s online Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science. Concentrating on human movement, exercise, and management, the degree prepares students for careers in coaching, fitness centers, health education, personal training and rehabilitation. The program is responsive to the marketplace, training students for the jobs open to graduates or laying the foundation for further study in related areas such as chiropractic, physical therapy, or to manage wellness facilities. With 49 credits of study beyond the general education requirements, graduates are well-prepared for their next step. The general education requirements include 6-8 credits of religion or theology which are based on Christian teachings. Applicants should have a 2.0 GPA, and if they have less than 20 undergraduate credits when they apply, they will also need to submit their high school transcripts. All classes in the program are asynchronous online, with no in-person or “live” online classes required. For those who want a flexible and fully online degree, the Concordia University, St. Paul kinesiology online bachelors program offers a cost-effective and high-quality choice.
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Bachelor of Arts in Exercise ScienceConcordia University – Chicago
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $64,436
Concordia University – Chicago’s online BS in Kinesiology program allows for flexibility in many different ways. Classes start every five weeks, so students can jump in whenever they are ready to begin. Accelerated courses are an option, allowing some students to complete the degree in as little as 16 months. Schedules are flexible and courses are 100% asynchronous online so students can complete the program from anywhere in the world at any time of day that is convenient. Affordable tuition that is guaranteed not to go up once a student is enrolled means that a student can predict the cost of their degree over the time it takes to complete the program. Classes are limited to 20 students, and there is plenty of time for engagement with faculty and collaboration with peers. The kinesiology program from Concordia University-Chicago is an excellent choice for students who want a solid foundation in health promotion and disease prevention that is centered on the integrity and values based on a Christian world view.
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Bachelor of Science in KinesiologyCalifornia Baptist University
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $73,199
The online BS in Kinesiology from California Baptist University offers the possibility to complete the degree in as little as 18 months. Designed to help students start their careers in coaching, fitness, athletic training, teaching, or allied health vocations, the program boasts faculty who bring real-world expertise to the classroom to prepare graduates to pursue their goals in fitness, sports medicine, nutrition, wellness, or athletic training. Graduates with be prepared to sit for certification exams in the field. This program blends physical education classes with exercise science for a rigorous program that places Christian ethics and values geared to helping people achieve health and wellness. Students need a high school diploma or equivalent with a minimum 2.0 GPA for admission into the program. California Baptist University’s kinesiology degree program is a great choice for those who value a Christian perspective and who want an affordable degree that will help them start a career that allows them to help people.
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Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Apply Today!
If you are thinking about what to do with your career, and the idea of working with exercise and body motion, then starting an online bachelor degree in kinesiology and exercise science may be the perfect direction for you to go in. When you think about how much money can you make with a kinesiology degree, all while doing work that you will love, starting an online program is an easy way to get you on your way to a career that will keep you moving forward in your life. Choose the best online kinesiology degree for your interests from this handy list, and you could be living your dream in no time. With such affordable and flexible option for a degree program that you can start on today, what are you waiting for?