Best Online Master’s in Kinesiology Degree Programs

Badge for BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN KINESIOLOGY

Published: Sep 21, 2021
Updated: Jan 15, 2024

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

University of Kentucky
University of Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Nova Southeastern University
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Illinois State University
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
A.T. Still University
Georgia Southern University

University of Alabama
University of Kentucky
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Illinois State University
Sam Houston State University
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Nova Southeastern University
Georgia Southern University
University of Nebraska at Kearney

University of Kentucky 95%
University of Texas at Tyler 94%
Georgia Southern University 89%
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 88%
Hardin–Simmons University 88%
University of Alabama at Birmingham 87%
Illinois State University 86%
University of Nebraska at Kearney 86%
Sam Houston State University 85%
Houston Christian University 84%

Georgia Southern University 22 to 1
Sam Houston State University 20 to 1
Illinois State University 19 to 1
University of Alabama 19 to 1
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 19 to 1
California Baptist University 18 to 1
University of Alabama at Birmingham 18 to 1
Nova Southeastern University 17 to 1
University of Kentucky 17 to 1
Hardin–Simmons University 16 to 1

California Baptist University $38,058
Jessup University $37,150
Houston Christian University $36,750
Nova Southeastern University $36,300
Fresno Pacific University $34,188
Hardin–Simmons University $31,686
University of Kentucky $11,496
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $11,304
University of Alabama $11,100
Illinois State University $10,907

A.T. Still University $37,062
Nova Southeastern University $22,062
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $15,600
Fresno Pacific University $15,369
Hardin–Simmons University $14,310
Jessup University $14,196
California Baptist University $13,680
University of Kentucky $12,583
University of Alabama $11,100
Houston Christian University $10,924

Jessup University
Fresno Pacific University
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
California Baptist University
Hardin–Simmons University
University of Texas at Tyler
Houston Christian University
Southern Arkansas University
Sam Houston State University
Georgia Southern University

Jessup University
Fresno Pacific University
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Southern Arkansas University
Hardin–Simmons University
A.T. Still University
University of Texas at Tyler
Houston Christian University
California Baptist University
University of Nebraska at Kearney

Southern Arkansas University 64%
Jessup University 66%
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 73%
Fresno Pacific University 75%
Nova Southeastern University 76%
California Baptist University 80%
University of Alabama 80%
Houston Christian University 84%
Sam Houston State University 85%
University of Nebraska at Kearney 86%

Fresno Pacific University 10 to 1
Jessup University 11 to 1
University of Nebraska at Kearney 13 to 1
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 14 to 1
University of Texas at Tyler 15 to 1
Southern Arkansas University 15 to 1
Houston Christian University 15 to 1
Hardin–Simmons University 16 to 1
Nova Southeastern University 17 to 1
University of Kentucky 17 to 1

Georgia Southern University $4,371
Sam Houston State University $5,856
University of Nebraska at Kearney $6,270
University of Texas at Tyler $7,020
Southern Arkansas University $7,020
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley $7,857
University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,832
Illinois State University $10,907
University of Alabama $11,100
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa $11,304

Georgia Southern University $4,986
Southern Arkansas University $5,472
Sam Houston State University $5,765
University of Nebraska at Kearney $6,216
University of Texas at Tyler $6,264
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley $7,002
Illinois State University $7,694
University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,424
Houston Christian University $10,924
University of Alabama $11,100

Table of Contents

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.

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.

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.

How do we determine the best online kinesiology degree programs?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online Master’s in Kinesiology Physical Education Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Kinesiology Degree

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Exercise Science And Kinesiology

Degree Level: Master's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $11,168
Avg. Expenses*: $17,548
Avg. Starting Salary*: $44,730
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $50,836
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 7 years
Job Growth: 10.23%
Number of Jobs: 21,500
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	3.09%	$75,770
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling	10.89%	$73,460
Athletes and Sports Competitors	10.76%	$70,280
Athletic Trainers	12.83%	$57,930
Exercise Physiologists	10.23%	$54,860
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	13.60%	$46,480
Coaches and Scouts	8.76%	$45,910

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	$75,770
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling	$73,460
Athletes and Sports Competitors	$70,280
Athletic Trainers	$57,930
Exercise Physiologists	$54,860
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$46,480
Coaches and Scouts	$45,910

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

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.

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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Best Online Master’s in Kinesiology Degree Programs

Top 10 Online Master's in Kinesiology Programs

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Kinesiology Degrees

What courses are required when getting a master’s in kinesiology?

How long does it take to get a master’s in kinesiology?

What can you do with a master’s in kinesiology?

Best Online Master’s in Kinesiology Physical Education Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at University of Kentucky

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at University of Alabama

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at University of Nebraska at Kearney

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Nova Southeastern University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

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

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Illinois State University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Online Degrees

Concentrations

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

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Georgia Southern University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Sam Houston State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Southern Arkansas University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Houston Christian University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at University of Texas at Tyler

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Hardin–Simmons University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at California Baptist University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Hardin–Simmons University

Online Degrees

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Fresno Pacific University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Kinesiology degree at Jessup University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Students with Kinesiology Degree

Exercise Science And Kinesiology

Degree Level: Master's

Career Salaries

Top Industries

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+

Will I be able to transfer my online college degree?+

Will employers respect my online degree?+

What are the disadvantages of online classes?+

What are the advantages of online classes?+

Resources for Prospective Grad Students