Kinesiologists

High School

If you are interested in this field, you should prepare for your college studies by taking a strong college-preparatory course load. Classes in anatomy, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics will give you the basic science background you will need to study kinesiology in college. Health, psychology, and social science courses will also be very helpful. Be sure to take physical education classes in order to gain a better appreciation for the nature of movement and our muscles. Participating in a sport will also help you learn more about kinesiology from an inside perspective.

Postsecondary Training

In order to practice kinesiology, you will need to earn a bachelor's degree from a four-year program at an accredited school. Curriculum standards have been established by the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for Kinesiotherapy, which also reviews programs and makes recommendations for accreditation to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). To find out more about accredited programs, visit the CAAHEP Web site, https://akta.org/employment-opportunities/education/accredited-programs. Some kinesiologists major in physical education, exercise science, or health science and have kinesiology as a specialty, but a growing number of institutions in the United States are starting to offer undergraduate degrees in kinesiology. Approved programs include classes in education, clinical practice, biological sciences, and behavioral sciences. Specific courses may have titles such as Movement Coordination, Control, and Skill; Performance and Physical Activity; Biomechanics; Developmental Games; Personal and Community Health; and Motor Learning. Master's degrees in kinesiology and related programs are currently offered at more than 100 institutions; doctorates in the field are offered at approximately 55 universities.

Clinical internships are also required. These internships generally consist of at least 1,000 hours of training at an approved health facility under the supervision of certified kinesiologists. You may also seek out an assistantship with a practicing kinesiologist.

Certification

Some colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in kinesiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, biomechanics, and related fields. For example, the New York Institute of Technology offers an advanced certificate in kinesiology to students who complete three of the following courses: Physiology of Human Performance, Nutrition for Sport and Exercise, Strength and Conditioning, and Biomechanics of Human Performance. Visit https://www.nyit.edu/academics/degrees/kinesiology-advanced-certificate for more information, and contact schools in your area for information about available programs.

Other Education or Training

The American Kinesiotherapy Association offers continuing education (CE) opportunities at its annual conference, as well as via webinars, self-paced clinical courses, and other online course offerings. The National Academy of Kinesiology, American Society of Biomechanics, International College of Applied Kinesiology, and SHAPE America also provide CE classes and webinars. Contact these organizations for more information.