Kinesiology Degree Requirements

The hidden question behind this search is whether kinesiology is a legitimate science degree or a watered-down major for athletes. That stereotype is outdated. Modern kinesiology programs are science-intensive — you take anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and physics alongside your kinesiology-specific courses. The students who are surprised by the difficulty are typically the ones who chose the major expecting it to be about sports rather than about the science of human movement.

The National Center for Education Statistics tracks kinesiology and exercise science as a growing degree category¹. The growth is driven by expanding healthcare needs, the fitness industry, and the pipeline to physical therapy and other health professions that require a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite.

For career outcomes and salary data, see the kinesiology degree overview. This page covers exactly what the coursework demands.

Core Coursework: What Every Kinesiology Major Takes

Science foundation (first two years):

• Human Anatomy (with lab) — skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, and organ systems. Cadaver dissection in some programs.
• Human Physiology (with lab) — how organ systems function. Cellular physiology through whole-body integration.
• General Biology I (with lab) — cell biology and organismal diversity.
• General Chemistry I (with lab) — basic chemistry foundation.
• Physics I (with lab) — mechanics, forces, and energy. Applied to biomechanical analysis.
• Statistics — applied to health research and data analysis.

Kinesiology core (sophomore through senior):

• Exercise Physiology — how the body responds and adapts to exercise. Cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic responses. Lab includes VO2 max testing and body composition analysis.
• Biomechanics — physics applied to human movement. Force analysis, joint mechanics, and movement efficiency.
• Motor Learning and Control — how people acquire and refine movement skills. Neural basis of motor behavior.
• Sport and Exercise Psychology — motivation, anxiety, team dynamics, and mental performance.
• Nutrition for Exercise and Health — macronutrients, micronutrients, hydration, and nutrition planning for athletes and general populations.
• Research Methods in Kinesiology — designing studies, collecting data, and interpreting results in exercise science.
• Tests and Measurements — fitness assessment techniques, body composition, cardiovascular testing, and muscular strength evaluation.
• Senior Capstone/Internship — applied experience in a clinical, fitness, or research setting.

BA vs BS: Which Track?

BS in Kinesiology — the standard track with more science requirements. Better preparation for graduate programs in physical therapy, athletic training, or exercise science. Required for most pre-PT pathways.

BA in Kinesiology — fewer science requirements, more room for liberal arts electives. Appropriate for students heading toward health promotion, coaching, or physical education teaching.

For any health-science career path (PT, OT, athletic training), the BS is the expected credential.

Common Concentrations

Pre-physical therapy — coursework aligned with DPT program prerequisites. The most popular track. Exercise science — fitness assessment, exercise prescription, and corporate wellness. Leads to personal training, strength coaching, and cardiac rehabilitation. Athletic training — injury prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation. Note: Athletic training is increasingly moving to a master's-level entry degree. Health promotion — public health, wellness programming, and community health education. Pre-occupational therapy — preparation for OT graduate programs. Sport management — the business side of sports (sometimes housed separately from kinesiology).

Prerequisites and Admission Requirements

Kinesiology programs at most universities do not have competitive admission separate from university admission. Some programs have capacity limits and require a minimum GPA (2.5-3.0) for formal admission to the major after completing prerequisite courses.

Critical prerequisites for kinesiology courses:

• Biology (prerequisite for anatomy and physiology)
• Chemistry (prerequisite for exercise physiology and nutrition)
• Physics (prerequisite for biomechanics)
• Statistics (prerequisite for research methods)

Clinical/practical hours — most programs require 100-400 hours of supervised practical experience. Placements may be in hospitals, physical therapy clinics, athletic training rooms, corporate fitness centers, or research labs.

Skills You'll Build (and What Employers Actually Value)

Fitness assessment and exercise prescription — measuring physical capacity and designing safe, effective exercise programs for diverse populations. Anatomy and physiology knowledge — understanding how the body works at a level that supports clinical reasoning. Research literacy — reading and applying evidence-based practice in exercise science and rehabilitation. Client communication — motivating, educating, and coaching individuals through behavior change. Clinical reasoning — using assessment data to make decisions about exercise programming, injury risk, and referrals.

What Nobody Tells You About Kinesiology Requirements

Anatomy and physiology is the real filter. These courses require memorizing enormous volumes of anatomical structures, physiological processes, and their clinical significance. Students who underestimate the memorization load struggle. Active study methods (flashcards, study groups, cadaver lab time) are essential.

The major is a pre-professional launching pad, not a terminal career credential. Most high-paying kinesiology careers (physical therapist, occupational therapist, athletic trainer, physician assistant) require graduate degrees. The bachelor's degree opens doors to entry-level fitness and health positions, but the real earning power comes with advanced training.

Certifications matter alongside the degree. ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and ACE Personal Trainer are professional certifications that employers in fitness and clinical exercise settings look for in addition to the degree.

The clinical hours are where you discover what you actually want to do. Classroom kinesiology is abstract. Working with real patients in a cardiac rehab clinic, real athletes in an athletic training room, or real clients in a fitness setting shows you what the day-to-day work feels like. Use your clinical hours to explore different settings before committing to a graduate program.

FAQ

How much science does a kinesiology degree require?

Significant science. Most programs require biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, and biomechanics — all with laboratory components. The science load is comparable to a biology or health science major. Students who expect a "sports major" without real science courses are in for a surprise.

Is kinesiology a good pre-PT major?

Yes, kinesiology is one of the most common and well-aligned pre-PT majors. The coursework in anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, and biomechanics directly overlaps with DPT program prerequisites. However, verify that your specific kinesiology program's courses meet the prerequisites for the DPT programs you plan to apply to, as requirements vary.

Can I get a job with just a bachelor's in kinesiology?

Yes. Personal training, strength and conditioning coaching, cardiac rehabilitation technician, corporate wellness coordinator, and health education specialist positions are accessible with a bachelor's degree and appropriate certifications. See the kinesiology careers page for salary data.

What certifications should I get alongside my kinesiology degree?

ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP) and NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) are the most respected. ACE or NASM certifications are common for personal training. Many students begin certification exams during their senior year.

How is kinesiology different from exercise science?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Kinesiology is the broader academic discipline (the science of human movement), while exercise science is sometimes used to describe the applied subdiscipline focused on fitness and health. At most universities, the programs cover nearly identical content.

Does kinesiology prepare you for medical school?

Kinesiology can fulfill many medical school prerequisites (biology, chemistry, physics, statistics), but you may need to add organic chemistry and biochemistry, which are not always part of the kinesiology curriculum. If medical school is your goal, verify the prerequisite alignment early. A biology major with kinesiology electives may be a more efficient path.

More on this degree:

• Kinesiology Degree Guide — Overview
• Is It Worth It?
• Career Paths
• Salary Data
• How Hard Is It?
• Internships