Master's Degree in Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
This master's degree trains students in advanced sports science, kinesiology, and physical education, preparing them for careers in fitness, rehabilitation, coaching, and health promotion.
About
The Master's Degree in Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness is a graduate program in the United States designed for students who want to deepen their knowledge of human movement, exercise science, and physical health. It is suitable for those interested in careers related to sports coaching, fitness training, physical therapy support, or health education. This degree helps graduates develop expertise to work in settings such as fitness centers, rehabilitation clinics, schools, or community health programs.
- The program focuses on the scientific study of human movement and how exercise affects the body.
- It is intended for students who have completed a bachelor's degree, often in related fields like biology or sports science.
- Graduates can pursue roles such as fitness coach, rehabilitation assistant, or physical education instructor.
- The degree also supports those aiming to contribute to health promotion and wellness programs.
- It combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills to prepare students for diverse work environments.
What you study
The curriculum covers a broad range of topics related to sports science, kinesiology, and physical education, usually over one to two years. Students start with foundational courses and progressively move to specialized subjects. Practical application is an important part of the program.
- Core courses include exercise physiology, biomechanics, and motor learning, which explain how the body moves and adapts to training.
- Students study nutrition and health promotion to understand factors influencing physical fitness.
- Practical sessions involve laboratory work and field training, allowing students to apply theories to real situations.
- Advanced topics may cover rehabilitation techniques and sports psychology to support athlete performance and recovery.
- Some programs include a research project or thesis to develop analytical and scientific skills.
How to get in
Admission to this master's degree in the US requires a completed bachelor's degree, usually in a related field such as kinesiology, biology, or physical education. The selection process considers academic records and motivation.
- Applicants typically submit transcripts showing a strong background in science and health-related courses.
- Some programs may require letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose explaining career goals.
- Standardized test scores like the GRE may be requested by some universities.
- Relevant experience in sports or fitness can strengthen an application.
- The process involves applying directly to universities offering this master's degree, often through their graduate admissions portals.
Day to day
The academic year combines lectures, practical sessions, and project work. Students engage in hands-on activities and may complete internships to gain real-world experience.
- Weekly schedules include classroom lessons and laboratory exercises to study human movement and exercise effects.
- Students participate in fieldwork or supervised training sessions in fitness or rehabilitation settings.
- Many programs encourage or require internships to connect theory with professional practice.
- Group projects and presentations help develop teamwork and communication skills.
- The workload balances scientific study with applied learning to prepare students for diverse careers.
Careers this degree leads to
Graduates can work in various roles related to sports, fitness, and health. The job market includes both public and private sectors focused on physical activity and wellness.
- Common jobs include fitness trainer, rehabilitation assistant, and physical education teacher.
- Opportunities exist in health clubs, rehabilitation centers, and schools.
- The degree also opens paths to roles in community health programs promoting active lifestyles.
- Employment often involves working with individuals or groups to improve physical health and prevent injuries.
- Insertion into the job market is generally smooth for motivated graduates with practical experience.
Continuing your studies
After completing this master's degree, students may continue their studies or shift toward related fields. Further education can deepen expertise or open new career paths.
- Some graduates pursue doctoral studies in kinesiology or exercise science to engage in research or teaching.
- Others may seek professional certifications in physical therapy or athletic training.
- Switching to related health fields is possible through additional specialized training or degrees.
Where to study this degree (200)
Liste des 200 établissements
- Meredith CollegeRaleigh
- University of Western StatesPortland
- LaGrange CollegeLagrange
- University of DaytonDayton
- The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington
- Towson UniversityTowson
- Kansas State UniversityManhattan
- South Dakota State UniversityBrookings
- William Woods UniversityFulton
- McDaniel CollegeWestminster
- University of ToledoToledo
- Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh
- University of CharlestonCharleston
- University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaChattanooga
- Life UniversityMarietta
- Concordia University IrvineIrvine
- Concordia University ChicagoRiver Forest
- Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg
- American Public University SystemCharles Town
- University of FloridaGainesville
- Georgetown UniversityWashington
- Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityDurant
- Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro
- Ohio University LancasterAthens
- Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester
- Florida State UniversityTallahassee
- California State University, Long BeachLong Beach
- Logan UniversityChesterfield
- University of San FranciscoSan Francisco
- California Baptist UniversityRiverside
- Columbia UniversityNew York
- Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro
- Concordia UniversitySaint Paul
- University of CincinnatiCincinnati
- University of Northern ColoradoGreeley
- Texas A & M University-College StationCollege Station
- Tarleton State UniversityStephenville
- Northwestern UniversityEvanston
- Illinois State UniversityNormal
- Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana
- National UniversitySan Diego
- Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus
- University of MiamiCoral Gables
- Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego
- Canisius CollegeBuffalo
- Boston CollegeBoston
- Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville
- University of Central FloridaOrlando
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia
- University of LouisvilleLouisville
- James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg
- University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg
- University of GeorgiaAthens
- East Texas A&M UniversityCommerce
- Clemson UniversityClemson
- University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleKnoxville
- Texas State UniversitySan Marcos
- Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond
- Miami University-OxfordOxford
- University of MemphisMemphis
- University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor
- Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg
- Southern Methodist UniversityDallas
- Belmont UniversityNashville
- University of South FloridaTampa
- Wayne State UniversityDetroit
- Grambling State UniversityGrambling
- Parker UniversityDallas
- St. John's UniversityQueens
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge
- Northeastern University Professional ProgramsBoston
- Western Illinois UniversityMacomb
- Merrimack CollegeNorth Andover
- The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio
- Texas Tech UniversityLubbock
- University of IowaIowa City
- University of North TexasDenton
- East Central UniversityAda
- University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia
- Georgia State UniversityAtlanta
- Wingate UniversityWingate
- The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg
- Dallas Baptist UniversityDallas
- University of AlabamaTuscaloosa
- George Mason UniversityFairfax
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis
- George Washington UniversityWashington
- Lasell CollegeNewton
- University of KentuckyLexington
- University of North GeorgiaDahlonega
- East Carolina UniversityGreenville
- University of IndianapolisIndianapolis
- Endicott CollegeBeverly
- Springfield CollegeSpringfield
- University of West GeorgiaCarrollton
- University of North AlabamaFlorence
- Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater
- Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee
- Minnesota State University, MankatoMankato
- American UniversityWashington
- Utah State UniversityLogan
- Ball State UniversityMuncie
- Central Washington UniversityEllensburg
- East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City
- Kent State University at KentKent
- Indiana State UniversityTerre Haute
- SUNY CortlandCortland
- Sul Ross State UniversityAlpine
- University of Wisconsin–La CrosseLa Crosse
- Baylor UniversityWaco
- Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles
- University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroe
- Tulane UniversityNew Orleans
- Barry UniversityMiami
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill
- Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond
- University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro
- Troy UniversityTroy
- Missouri Baptist UniversitySaint Louis
- Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston
- Reinhardt UniversityWaleska
- Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk
- Southern Nazarene UniversityBethany
- Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick
- University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg
- Southeastern UniversityLakeland
- Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven
- Gonzaga UniversitySpokane
- Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington
- Tiffin UniversityTiffin
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins
- William Penn UniversityOskaloosa
- Aurora UniversityAurora
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst
- Adams State UniversityAlamosa
- California State University, FullertonFullerton
- Western New England UniversitySpringfield
- University of Mary Hardin–BaylorBelton
- Appalachian State UniversityBoone
- Grace College & SeminaryWinona Lake
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityTallahassee
- University of Wisconsin–ParksideKenosha
- University of South DakotaVermillion
- Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville
- University of Wisconsin–River FallsRiver Falls
- Mississippi State UniversityStarkville
- Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale
- Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityTeaneck
- University of West FloridaPensacola
- California State University, FresnoFresno
- California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge
- Texas Woman's UniversityDenton
- Angelo State UniversitySan Angelo
- Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville
- University of ConnecticutStorrs
- North Carolina Central UniversityDurham
- San Jose State UniversitySan Jose
- University of the Incarnate WordSan Antonio
- Texas Southern UniversityHouston
- University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison
- Harding University Main CampusSearcy
- Cleveland State UniversityCleveland
- Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth
- Missouri Western State UniversitySaint Joseph
- Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville
- Boise State UniversityBoise
- University of Arkansas at MonticelloMonticello
- Montclair State UniversityMontclair
- Gardner–Webb UniversityBoiling Springs
- West Chester UniversityWest Chester
- Wichita State UniversityWichita
- Upper Iowa UniversityFayette
- University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha
- Delaware State UniversityDover
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana
- Northwestern State UniversityNatchitoches
- Northern Illinois UniversityDeKalb
- East Stroudsburg UniversityEast Stroudsburg
- McNeese State UniversityLake Charles
- West Virginia State UniversityInstitute
- Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery
- University of Central MissouriWarrensburg
- William Paterson UniversityWayne
- Millersville UniversityMillersville
- San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco
- Hardin–Simmons UniversityAbilene
- United States Sports AcademyDaphne
- Minot State UniversityMinot
- Coastal Carolina UniversityConway
- University of the PacificStockton
- Vermont Technical CollegeRandolph
- Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaMoraga
- Jackson State UniversityJackson
- CitadelCharleston
- Grand View UniversityDes Moines
- Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton
- Catawba CollegeSalisbury
- Adelphi UniversityGarden City
- University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville
Frequently asked questions
What background is needed to apply for this master's degree?
Applicants usually need a bachelor's degree in a related field such as kinesiology, biology, or physical education. A solid foundation in science courses is important.
Is practical experience part of the program?
Yes, the program includes practical sessions like laboratory work and field training, and often requires internships to gain real-world experience.
Can this degree lead to teaching physical education?
Graduates can work as physical education instructors, though additional certification may be required depending on the state or institution.
Are there opportunities to continue studying after this master's?
Yes, students can pursue doctoral degrees in related fields or obtain professional certifications to specialize further.
Is this degree suitable for someone interested in sports coaching?
Yes, the program covers knowledge and skills useful for sports coaching and working with athletes to improve performance.
How competitive is admission to this program?
Admission is selective, with universities evaluating academic records, relevant experience, and motivation.
Does the program offer part-time or alternating work-study options?
Typically, this master's degree does not include alternating work-study or apprenticeship options.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?
Graduates find work as fitness trainers, rehabilitation assistants, physical education teachers, health promoters, and other related roles.


























