Join the movement

Powered by a community of over 1,200 Cyclones dedicated to careers in health-related professions, kinesiology and health combines academic rigor with hands-on experience that will prepare you for your future career.

Kinesiology and health is the largest major in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Students study the biological and behavioral aspects of human movement through biomechanics, exercise physiology, and motor behavior and control.

You can choose from five options within your major:

  • Community and Public Health — Settings include government programs and private organizations such as American Red Cross, etc.
  • Exercise Science — Fitness settings such as private health clubs, employee fitness programs, cardiac rehabilitation, and sport enhancement programs.
  • Physical Activity and Health Promotion — Promotion of physical activity and healthy lifestyles in various community-based settings including worksites, schools, hospitals, and other community agencies.
  • Physical Education/Teacher Education — Preparation to teach at the elementary, middle school, and/or high school level.
  • Pre-Health Professions — An interdisciplinary approach to the study of movement leading to careers in physical therapy, human medicine, and other allied health professions.

Careers in Kinesiology and Health

  • Corporate Wellness Manager
  • Fitness Instructor
  • Health Coach
  • Health Educator
  • Medical Professional
  • Personal Trainer
  • Physical Education Teacher

Internships
Our advisers and internship coordinator will guide you through the coursework and experiences you’ll need to land placement in a top graduate school, dream internship, or stellar first job. For more information, visit our careers and internship pages.

To apply for internships and full-time work positions, use CyHire, on-campus career fairs, career services, or talk to your internship coordinator: Deb Power.

See where other students have interned. Visit Career Connections.

Career services
Prepare for your next job or internship with Career Services, where staff help you with job or internship searches, interview preparation, and resume/cover letter reviews.

Graduate program preparation

Many kinesiology and health students choose to further their education in graduate programs, including:

  • Chiropractic School
  • Dentistry School
  • Master of Public Health (MPH)
  • Medical Doctor (MD)/Doctor of
  • Osteopathic Medicine (DO) School
  • Master or PhD of Exercise Science/
  • Physiology
  • Occupational Therapy School
  • Optometry School
  • Pharmacy School
  • Physician Assistant School (PA)
  • Physical Therapy School

Kinesiology study abroad programs

The kinesiology department offers various international opportunities through the College of Health and Human Sciences International Programs office.

Facilities

Our 90,000-square-foot facility is home to classrooms, teaching labs, physical activity areas, and well-equipped research spaces where undergraduates routinely work with researchers who are changing the world through health and wellness research studies.

Program information

High school coursework requirements
To enroll in the kinesiology and health curriculum, you must meet these high school coursework requirements:

  • 4 years of English
  • 3 years of math (including one year each of algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra)
  • 3 years of science (including one year each of two of the following: biology, chemistry, and physics)
  • 2 years of social studies

Curriculum requirements

Catalog requirements

2024-2025 4-year plan

Athletic training (PDF)
Community/public-health (PDF)
Exercise science (PDF)
Physical activity and health promotion (PDF)
Physical education teacher education (PDF)
Physical education teacher education with health endorsement (PDF)
Pre-health professions – chiropractic (PDF)
Pre-health professions – dentistry (PDF)
Pre-health professions – human medicine (PDF)
Pre-health professions – occupational therapy (PDF)
Pre-health professions – optometry (PDF)
Pre-health professions – physician assistant (PDF)
Pre-health professions – physical therapy (PDF)

Accelerated degree option
An accelerated degree option is available for the kinesiology and health program.

Ready to get moving?