Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Kinesiology and physical education
Listed by colleges as Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Focuses on activities and principles that promote physical fitness, achieve and maintain athletic prowess, and accomplish related research and service goals. Covers human movement studies, motivation studies, rules and practice of specific sports, exercise and fitness principles and techniques, basic athletic injury prevention and treatment, and organizing and leading fitness and sports programs.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 6 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General
- Focuses on activities and principles that promote physical fitness, achieve and maintain athletic prowess, and accomplish related research and service goals. Covers human movement studies, motivation studies, rules and practice of specific sports, exercise and fitness principles and techniques, basic athletic injury prevention and treatment, and organizing and leading fitness and sports programs.
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
- Prepares you to apply business, coaching and physical education principles to the organization, administration and management of athletic programs and teams, fitness/rehabilitation facilities and health clubs, sport recreation services, and related services. Covers program planning and development; business and financial management principles; sales, marketing and recruitment; event promotion, scheduling and management; facilities management; public relations; legal aspects of sports; and applicable health and safety standards.
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology
- Focuses on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics of human movement, and applications to exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation. Covers biomechanics, motor behavior, motor development and coordination, motor neurophysiology, performance research, rehabilitative therapies, the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative methods and equipment, and related analytical methods and procedures in applied exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation.
- Physical Fitness Technician
- Prepares you for employment in health and fitness clubs, wellness centers, public and private recreation facilities, hospitals and corporate fitness programs where they will perform a variety of instructional and administrative duties. Covers human anatomy and physiology, fitness techniques, exercise science, personal training, nutrition, and customer service.
- Sports Studies
- Focuses on the psychological, sociological, and historical aspects of sport and physical activity. Covers theory of sport, sport psychology, sport in American society, gender and race/ethnicity and sport, and sports history.
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other
- Sports, kinesiology, and physical education/fitness not listed above.
Also called Coaching
Also called Fitness Technician, Fitness Trainer, Personal Trainer
Also called Psychosocial Aspects of Sport
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
- Median pay
- $47,160
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.3%
- Job openings a year
- 68,000
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingCoaches and Scouts
- Median pay
- $47,320
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.1%
- Job openings a year
- 36,400
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingEntertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
- Median pay
- $79,520
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.0%
- Job openings a year
- 5,100
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyRecreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $77,270
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.2%
- Job openings a year
- 1,000
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing fastAthletic Trainers
- Median pay
- $62,520
- Hiring change through 2035
- 12.7%
- Job openings a year
- 2,400
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career GrowingAthletes and Sports Competitors
- Median pay
- $66,710
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.5%
- Job openings a year
- 2,200
To get hiredNo formal educational credential
Explore this career Growing fastExercise Physiologists
- Median pay
- $59,460
- Hiring change through 2035
- 12.8%
- Job openings a year
- 1,400
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $28,767 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Most careers connected to this field involve in-person work. About 64 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
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