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.
Careers after further study
These careers require a higher level of study than this degree.
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
- Naropa UniversityBoulder
- Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh
- Oakland Community CollegeAuburn Hills
- University of IowaIowa City
- University of CincinnatiCincinnati
- University of Western StatesPortland
- Kansas State UniversityManhattan
- Andrew CollegeCuthbert
- Harrisburg Area Community CollegeHarrisburg
- Baker UniversityBaldwin City
- Florida State UniversityTallahassee
- Northeast Mississippi Community CollegeBooneville
- Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester
- Provo CollegeProvo
- Waubonsee Community CollegeSugar Grove
- South Dakota State UniversityBrookings
- William Woods UniversityFulton
- University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaChattanooga
- Life UniversityMarietta
- University of FloridaGainesville
- Clark CollegeVancouver
- Stillman CollegeTuscaloosa
- University of ConnecticutStorrs
- Midland CollegeMidland
- Central Oregon Community CollegeBend
- Central CollegePella
- University of ToledoToledo
- Seward County Community CollegeLiberal
- McDaniel CollegeWestminster
- Chapman UniversityOrange
- The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington
- Drury UniversitySpringfield
- Westfield State UniversityWestfield
- Jones County Junior CollegeEllisville
- LaGrange CollegeLagrange
- University of Wisconsin–SuperiorSuperior
- University of Virginia's College at WiseWise
- Southwestern Oregon Community CollegeCoos Bay
- Columbia-Greene Community CollegeHudson
- Illinois Eastern Community CollegesOlney
- SUNY PlattsburghPlattsburgh
- Creighton UniversityOmaha
- Southern Union State Community CollegeWadley
- Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeSioux City
- University of CharlestonCharleston
- University of Hawaii at HiloHilo
- University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg
- Virginia Western Community CollegeRoanoke
- Ave Maria UniversityAve Maria
- Chesapeake CollegeWye Mills
- Arapahoe Community CollegeLittleton
- Towson UniversityTowson
- Northwest CollegePowell
- Northeastern UniversityBoston
- Hendrix CollegeConway
- University of DaytonDayton
- Amarillo CollegeAmarillo
- Pace UniversityNew York
- Lincoln University - PennsylvaniaLincoln University
- Bentley UniversityWaltham
- Santa Fe Community CollegeSanta Fe
- Meredith CollegeRaleigh
- Garden City Community CollegeGarden City
- California State University, FullertonFullerton
- Texas A & M University-College StationCollege Station
- American Public University SystemCharles Town
- College of the CanyonsSanta Clarita
- University of MemphisMemphis
- Texas State UniversitySan Marcos
- Mt. San Antonio CollegeWalnut
- California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge
- Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington
- The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio
- University of HoustonHouston
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill
- San Diego State UniversitySan Diego
- The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe
- Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick
- University of Central FloridaOrlando
- California State University, SacramentoSacramento
- University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleKnoxville
- California State University, FresnoFresno
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing
- University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia
- University of North TexasDenton
- University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor
- California State University Los AngelesLos Angeles
- James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin
- Mississippi State UniversityStarkville
- California State University, Long BeachLong Beach
- Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro
- San Jose State UniversitySan Jose
- Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix
- Miami University-OxfordOxford
- Appalachian State UniversityBoone
- Iowa State UniversityAmes
- SUNY CortlandCortland
- University of Nevada, Las VegasLas Vegas
- Tarleton State UniversityStephenville
- Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw
- University of GeorgiaAthens
- Concordia University IrvineIrvine
- Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse
- Oregon State UniversityCorvallis
- Coastal Carolina UniversityConway
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins
- Concordia University ChicagoRiver Forest
- University of LouisvilleLouisville
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park
- University of KansasLawrence
- West Virginia UniversityMorgantown
- California State University, San BernardinoSan Bernardino
- Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia
- Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant
- University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park
- University of Wisconsin–La CrosseLa Crosse
- Cabrillo CollegeAptos
- University of AlabamaTuscaloosa
- University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia
- California State University, ChicoChico
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana
- Riverside City CollegeRiverside
- California State Polytechnic UniversityPomona
- Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton
- San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco
- Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus
- Georgetown UniversityWashington
- Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityDurant
- University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington
- California State University, San MarcosSan Marcos
- University of OklahomaNorman
- University of Massachusetts BostonBoston
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge
- West Chester UniversityWest Chester
- Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro
- Utah State UniversityLogan
- SUNY BrockportBrockport
- California State University, East BayHayward
- University of North GeorgiaDahlonega
- University of DelawareNewark
- Bryan UniversityTempe
- University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro
- The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso
- University of Illinois ChicagoChicago
- Stephen F. Austin State UniversityNacogdoches
- Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville
- Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville
- Ohio University LancasterAthens
- Montclair State UniversityMontclair
- University of ArkansasFayetteville
- California State University, Monterey BaySeaside
- California Baptist UniversityRiverside
- Brigham Young UniversityProvo
- Minnesota State University, MankatoMankato
- William & MaryWilliamsburg
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State UniversityGreensboro
- Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst
- Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction
- Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green
- University of Rhode IslandKingston
- California State University, Dominguez HillsCarson
- Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro
- Carroll UniversityWaukesha
- Saint Louis UniversitySt Louis
- Prairie View A&M UniversityPrairie View
- North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh
- Salisbury UniversitySalisbury
- Utah Valley UniversityOrem
- Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver
- University of Central ArkansasConway
- East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City
- University of MississippiOxford
- Fresno City CollegeFresno
- Logan UniversityChesterfield
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo
- Kent State University at KentKent
- University of Northern ColoradoGreeley
- University of West FloridaPensacola
- Texas A&M University – San AntonioSan Antonio
- High Point UniversityHigh Point
- University of IndianapolisIndianapolis
- Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond
- Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem
- Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville
- Texas Tech UniversityLubbock
- Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles
- NUC UniversityBayamon
- Texas Woman's UniversityDenton
- University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonolulu
- Blinn CollegeBrenham
- Campbell UniversityBuies Creek
- Southern Methodist UniversityDallas
- Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater
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.



























