Best Online Master’s in Kinesiology Degree Programs

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Find top-ranked online master’s in kinesiology degree programs for students wanting to qualify to teach physical education in a K-12 setting as well as work in the health or fitness sectors.

Top 10 Online Master's in Kinesiology Programs

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  1. University of Kentucky
  2. University of Alabama
  3. University of Alabama at Birmingham
  4. University of Nebraska at Kearney
  5. Nova Southeastern University
  6. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
  7. Illinois State University
  8. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  9. A.T. Still University
  10. Georgia Southern University
  1. University of Alabama
  2. University of Kentucky
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  4. University of Alabama at Birmingham
  5. Illinois State University
  6. Sam Houston State University
  7. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
  8. Nova Southeastern University
  9. Georgia Southern University
  10. University of Nebraska at Kearney
  1. University of Kentucky 95%
  2. University of Texas at Tyler 94%
  3. Georgia Southern University 89%
  4. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 88%
  5. Hardin–Simmons University 88%
  6. University of Alabama at Birmingham 87%
  7. Illinois State University 86%
  8. University of Nebraska at Kearney 86%
  9. Sam Houston State University 85%
  10. Houston Christian University 84%
  1. Georgia Southern University 22 to 1
  2. Sam Houston State University 20 to 1
  3. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 19 to 1
  4. Illinois State University 19 to 1
  5. University of Alabama 19 to 1
  6. University of Alabama at Birmingham 18 to 1
  7. California Baptist University 18 to 1
  8. Nova Southeastern University 17 to 1
  9. University of Kentucky 17 to 1
  10. Hardin–Simmons University 16 to 1
  1. California Baptist University $38,058
  2. Jessup University $37,150
  3. Houston Christian University $36,750
  4. Nova Southeastern University $36,300
  5. Fresno Pacific University $34,188
  6. Hardin–Simmons University $31,686
  7. University of Kentucky $11,496
  8. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $11,304
  9. University of Alabama $11,100
  10. Illinois State University $10,907
  1. A.T. Still University $37,062
  2. Nova Southeastern University $22,062
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $15,600
  4. Fresno Pacific University $15,369
  5. Hardin–Simmons University $14,310
  6. Jessup University $14,196
  7. California Baptist University $13,680
  8. University of Kentucky $12,583
  9. University of Alabama $11,100
  10. Houston Christian University $10,924
  1. Jessup University
  2. Fresno Pacific University
  3. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
  4. California Baptist University
  5. Hardin–Simmons University
  6. University of Texas at Tyler
  7. Houston Christian University
  8. Southern Arkansas University
  9. Sam Houston State University
  10. Georgia Southern University
  1. Jessup University
  2. Fresno Pacific University
  3. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
  4. Southern Arkansas University
  5. Hardin–Simmons University
  6. A.T. Still University
  7. University of Texas at Tyler
  8. Houston Christian University
  9. California Baptist University
  10. University of Nebraska at Kearney
  1. Southern Arkansas University 64%
  2. Jessup University 66%
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 73%
  4. Fresno Pacific University 75%
  5. Nova Southeastern University 76%
  6. California Baptist University 80%
  7. University of Alabama 80%
  8. Houston Christian University 84%
  9. Sam Houston State University 85%
  10. University of Nebraska at Kearney 86%
  1. Fresno Pacific University 10 to 1
  2. Jessup University 11 to 1
  3. University of Nebraska at Kearney 13 to 1
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 14 to 1
  5. Southern Arkansas University 15 to 1
  6. Houston Christian University 15 to 1
  7. University of Texas at Tyler 15 to 1
  8. Hardin–Simmons University 16 to 1
  9. Nova Southeastern University 17 to 1
  10. University of Kentucky 17 to 1
  1. Georgia Southern University $4,371
  2. Sam Houston State University $5,856
  3. University of Nebraska at Kearney $6,270
  4. Southern Arkansas University $7,020
  5. University of Texas at Tyler $7,020
  6. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley $7,857
  7. University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,832
  8. Illinois State University $10,907
  9. University of Alabama $11,100
  10. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $11,304
  1. Georgia Southern University $4,986
  2. Southern Arkansas University $5,472
  3. Sam Houston State University $5,765
  4. University of Nebraska at Kearney $6,216
  5. University of Texas at Tyler $6,264
  6. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley $7,002
  7. Illinois State University $7,694
  8. University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,424
  9. Houston Christian University $10,924
  10. University of Alabama $11,100

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Kinesiology Degrees

The master’s in kinesiology degree can come with several concentrations. The specialization in physical education is among the most popular. Those who earn their master’s in kinesiology physical education will take courses like Pedagogical Applications in PE, Coordinated School Health Program, Qualitative Methods, Research in PE Pedagogy, and Inclusive Physical Activity.

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With programs available online or on campus, students can complete the required 30-40 credits in about one to two years. Most students will also be required to pursue a thesis project and pass state-specific certification exams.

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After graduation, students will qualify to teach physical education in a K-12 setting as well as work in the health or fitness sectors.

There are numerous career opportunities for graduates of an online master’s in kinesiology program, including physical therapy assistant, dietician, kinesiologist, among others. Find out what you can with a kinesiology degree.

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Best Online Master's in Kinesiology Degree Programs
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Best Online Master’s in Kinesiology Physical Education Degree Programs

  1. #1

    University of Kentucky

    Lexington , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    33K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1180/24

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at University of Kentucky

    Cost of Degree: $13,946
    Expenses: $20,206
    Starting Salary: $44,151
    Salary after 4 years: $53,729
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Kinesiology and Health Promotion

    Concentrations

    • Health Promotion
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. #2

    University of Alabama

    Tuscaloosa , AL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    42K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1270/27

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at University of Alabama

    Cost of Degree: $11,790
    Expenses: $20,084
    Starting Salary: $42,188
    Salary after 4 years: $51,341
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MA in Kinesiology
    • Required Credits: 30-33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    26K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1305/26

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Cost of Degree: $8,424
    Expenses: $20,077
    Starting Salary: $39,572
    Salary after 4 years: $48,157
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Kinesiology

    Concentrations

    • Physical Education Teacher Certification
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #5

    Nova Southeastern University

    Fort Lauderdale , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/23

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Nova Southeastern University

    Cost of Degree: $23,911
    Expenses: $20,570
    Starting Salary: $46,629
    Salary after 4 years: $57,750
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MHS in Health Sciences

    Concentrations

    • Sports Medicine
    • Required Credits: 43
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    960/19

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

    Cost of Degree: $8,333
    Expenses: $13,704
    Starting Salary: $36,138
    Salary after 4 years: $43,978
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Kinesiology
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    22K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1105/24

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Illinois State University

    Cost of Degree: $9,648
    Expenses: $17,288
    Starting Salary: $42,188
    Salary after 4 years: $51,341
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Kinesiology and Recreation

    Concentrations

    • Athletic Training
    • Biomechanics
    • Exercise Physiology
    • Physical Education Pedagogy
    • Psychology Of Sport and Physical Activity
    • Recreation Administration
    • Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. #9

    A.T. Still University

    Kirksville , MO

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at A.T. Still University

    Cost of Degree: $38,212
    Starting Salary: $179,051
    Salary after 4 years: $221,755

    Online Degrees

    MS in Kinesiology

    Concentrations

    • Adaptive Sports
    • Corrective Exercise & Orthopedic Rehabilitation
    • Exercise and Sport Psychology
    • Geriatric Exercise Science
    • Sports Conditioning
    • Dual Track
    • Required Credits: 42
    • Completion time: 24 months
    • Format: Online
    MS in Athletic Training
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 12- 24 months
    • Format: Online
  8. #10

    Georgia Southern University

    Statesboro , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    31K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/20

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Georgia Southern University

    Cost of Degree: $6,520
    Expenses: $18,990
    Starting Salary: $37,692
    Salary after 4 years: $45,868
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Kinesiology, Coaching Education
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 14 months
    • Format: Online
    MS in Kinesiology, Physical Education
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 14 months
    • Format: Online
  9. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1047/20

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Southern Arkansas University

    Cost of Degree: $7,092
    Expenses: $15,765
    Starting Salary: $31,887
    Salary after 4 years: $38,804
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Kinesiology

    Concentrations

    • Coaching
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  10. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/21

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at University of Texas at Tyler

    Cost of Degree: $8,140
    Expenses: $15,520
    Starting Salary: $41,289
    Salary after 4 years: $50,246
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Kinesiology
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  11. Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1104/21

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Hardin–Simmons University

    Cost of Degree: $15,074
    Expenses: $14,233
    Starting Salary: $40,507
    Salary after 4 years: $50,168
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    14K

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at California Baptist University

    Cost of Degree: $14,410
    Expenses: $15,414
    Starting Salary: $39,836
    Salary after 4 years: $49,337
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Kinesiology
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  13. Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1104/21

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Hardin–Simmons University

    Cost of Degree: $15,074
    Expenses: $14,233
    Starting Salary: $40,507
    Salary after 4 years: $50,168
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  14. Online Degrees

    MS in Applied Kinesiology
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 12 months
    • Format: Online
  15. Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Fresno Pacific University

    Cost of Degree: $15,429
    Expenses: $12,927
    Starting Salary: $38,242
    Salary after 4 years: $47,363
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MA in Kinesiology

    Concentrations

    • Physical Education
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  16. #20

    Jessup University

    Rocklin , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Jessup University

    Cost of Degree: $14,805
    Expenses: $17,452
    Starting Salary: $37,823
    Salary after 4 years: $46,844
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Kinesiology
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online

Career Outlook for Students with Kinesiology Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Exercise Science And Kinesiology

Degree Level: Master's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,868
  • Avg. Expenses*: $16,569
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $41,773
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $50,836
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 7 years
  • Job Growth: 10.30%
  • Number of Jobs: 16,500
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Athletes and Sports Competitors8.57%$83,195
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary3.07%$71,084
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling8.33%$69,366
Exercise Physiologists10.30%$54,089
Athletic Trainers13.91%$53,251

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$33,337$53,827$90,763

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 Texas10% higher than average$66,485
#3 Colorado3% higher than average$72,514
#4 New Jersey13% higher than average$79,168
#5 Michigan15% higher than average$56,002
#6 Minnesota4% higher than average$59,896

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Athletes and Sports Competitors$83,195
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$71,084
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$69,366
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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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