Kinesiology vs. Exercise Science: What Is the Difference and Which Degree Is Right for You?

While you may have a general idea of your dream career, it’s difficult to get specific about what exactly you want to do. That decision is even harder when the differences between two career paths aren’t immediately apparent. For example, if you’re passionate about health and movement, you may be unsure whether a degree in kinesiology or exercise science is a better fit for you.

As it turns out, kinesiology and exercise science have a great amount of overlap, with many exercise science programs covering the topic of kinesiology in their coursework. Nevertheless, there are some key differences worth considering when choosing a degree program. Luckily, we’re going to break down the differences between these two fields—and which one will be a better fit for your goals!

Key Takeaways

• Kinesiology and exercise science are similar but distinct fields, and coursework often overlaps between these two degrees.
• Whereas kinesiology students learn about human movement, a degree in exercise science provides a comprehensive look at how movement impacts health, fitness, and sport performance.
• Both degrees can lead to careers in the health and fitness industry as well as in physical therapy or occupational therapy.

What Is Kinesiology? 

Simply put, kinesiology is the study of movement. Its practitioners dip into the study of anatomy, motor function, and the brain’s ability to create new neural pathways and modify existing ones in response to change. If you’ve ever worked with an occupational therapist, a personal trainer, or a massage therapist, it’s possible they had a background in kinesiology!

Kinesiology draws upon Chinese acupuncture theory, chiropractice, and applied kinesiology to discover and alleviate imbalances in the body. Practitioners of kinesiology typically accomplish this through muscle monitoring, or biofeedback, and consider how physical activity impacts a person’s overall health. Kinesiology is often studied within exercise science programs, acting as a complementary and broader field of study.

What Is Exercise Science?

Exercise science encompasses the multi-faceted study of how movement impacts physical health and athletic performance. Whereas kinesiology studies human movement more broadly, exercise science focuses on how movement impacts the body. Even so, its practitioners consider exercise as only one piece of the health puzzle. As a result, the field of exercise science utilizes kinesiology, biomechanics, nutrition, and physiology to understand how humans respond to exercise.

Through an exercise science program, you develop the expertise necessary to assess movement patterns and design evidence-based exercise programs. Exercise science practitioners apply clinical exercise principles to enhance athletic performance, address and mitigate physical stressors during exercise, and improve overall health and wellness for clients.

Key Differences Between Kinesiology and Exercise Science

Now that you understand what each of these disciplines entails, it’s time to learn what makes them distinct disciplines. While kinesiology and exercise science overlap, their differences may make one a better fit for you over the other.

Coursework

If you choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology, you may take the following coursework along with general education courses:

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Physical activity and health
• Fitness assessment
• Biomechanics
• Nutrition
• Physics in sports
• Strength training and conditioning

In an undergraduate exercise science program, students could expect to take many of the same courses as kinesiology students in addition to courses specific to exercise science, such as health program planning, applied nutrition, and exercise testing.

On the graduate level, the curriculum for a master’s degree in exercise science may include:

• Advanced exercise physiology
• Human pathophysiology and performance
• Nutrition and ergogenic aids
• Science and practice of mind body medicine
• Risk management for exercise and fitness professionals
• Evidence-based practice and research in health and wellness
• Wellness leadership

Degree Types and Programs

From associate to doctoral programs, there are a variety of degrees in kinesiology and exercise science available at every educational level. The level of education you’ll need to attain for either field will depend on your desired career path, as well as your potential interest in academia or research.

For both kinesiology and exercise science, a typical undergraduate degree will be a Bachelor of Science that emphasizes a basic understanding of human anatomy, movement, and physiology. A positive to either degree is the ability to pursue a master’s degree in a different field than your bachelor’s. For example, many master’s programs in exercise science only require that your bachelor’s degree be in a related field, which would include kinesiology.

Career Preparation

Most entry-level roles in either kinesiology or exercise science will require a bachelor’s degree. With a bachelor’s degree, you’ll be equipped with the necessary skills to succeed within your own field as well as closely related ones. Pursuing a master’s degree, typically a Master of Science in kinesiology or exercise science, positions you to move into advanced or higher-earning roles.

If you have an interest in research or teaching, a doctoral degree in your field may also be beneficial. Many universities offer PhD programs in kinesiology, exercise science, and related fields like physical therapy. It’s also important to note that some careers may require additional certifications, such as:

• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
• Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS)
• American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP)

Fortunately, many degree programs prepare you for these credential exams! Ultimately, either degree is another step toward meeting your career goals.

What Can You Do with This Degree?

Whether you’re just starting out or pivoting mid-career, one question is probably on your mind: what can you do with this degree? As it turns out, both kinesiology and exercise science are versatile degrees that open the door to varied career opportunities—depending on your interests, experience, and educational background.

Careers Opportunities in Kinesiology

According to the American Kinesiology Association, there are abundant career opportunities for kinesiology practitioners. Along with working as a kinesiologist in a gym, the most common careers in kinesiology include:

• Personal training
• Fitness consulting
• Strength and conditioning coaching

However, these are only a few of the potential career paths in kinesiology. With additional education, you can utilize your background in kinesiology in a variety of fields, such as:

• Occupational therapy
• Adapted physical activity
• Physical therapy
• Chiropractice
• Massage therapy
• Epidemiology

It’s important to remember that between the two degrees, kinesiology is a broader degree. As a result, this provides kinesiology practitioners the flexibility to specialize and pursue a multitude of potential careers.

Career Opportunities in Exercise Science

Exercise science professionals are currently experiencing a boom in career growth. The numbers don’t lie: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports job growth for exercise physiologists at 10% by 2033, a much faster rate than average. Partially, the demand for these professionals stems from adults wanting to combat weight gain and become more physically active.

For those with a graduate degree in exercise science, there are a wide range of career prospects! These include:

• Exercise and Sport Physiologist
• Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Personal Trainer or Fitness Instructor
• Applied Sports Scientist
• Fitness and Wellness Coordinator
• Corporate Wellness Coordinator
• University Educators
• Physical Education Instructor

You may think an exercise science degree only prepares you to work in a gym, but that’s far from the truth. Exercise science professionals are valued in many settings: physician’s offices, hospitals and clinics, community wellness organizations, fitness centers, and universities. Additionally, if you’ve ever dreamed of a career as an athletic director, a degree in exercise science is a perfect pathway.

Which Degree Is Right for You?

There’s no doubt about it: picking the right degree program can be difficult. It’s a deeply personal decision and is entirely dependent on your individual goals for the future. If you’re stuck between kinesiology and exercise science, consider the following factors when choosing your degree program.

Main Differences

On an overall level, the difference between these disciplines is that kinesiology is the study of movement, whereas exercise science is the study of how movement impacts health and physical performance.

If your interests are broader, a kinesiology degree may allow you to explore more subsets of the field; however, if you are primarily focused on physical activity as it relates to health and fitness, then an exercise science degree may be a better fit for you.

Overall Scope

While there is an overlap in coursework for both fields, the overall scope is different. A degree in kinesiology will look at human movement in both athletic and non-athletic environments. In contrast, a degree in exercise science typically assumes an interdisciplinary approach to exercise’s impact on the body.

If you’re interested in movement in primarily non-athletic contexts, a kinesiology degree’s broader scope may align more with your interests. If your focus is the health and fitness industry, a degree in exercise and sport science will be more relevant.

Career Trajectory

Still unsure which degree is for you? Don’t stress. In many cases, a degree in kinesiology or exercise science can help you land your dream job. Reviewing the common career trajectories for both degree programs may solidify which one is the right choice for you.

Do the roles of kinesiologist, physical therapist, or chiropractor have your name written on them? If so, a kinesiology program will provide more opportunities to look at the biomechanical and physiological mechanisms of human movement.

If your passions lie squarely in health, athletics, or sports, then a degree in exercise science is perfect for you. It will jumpstart your experience in those niches before you even enter the workforce.

Whether Your Passion Is Fitness, Health, or Movement — UC Can Help You Take the Next Step!

You’ve decided which degree is perfect for you—now what? Let UC help you take the next step. Our online MS in exercise and sport science will prepare you to thrive in the health and fitness industry. Ideal for advancing your career in exercise science and sports performance, this program can be tailored to your needs.

Best of all, at the University of Cincinnati, we’re pros at offering high-quality degree programs in an online and 100% asynchronous format. Our online staff is committed to supporting you as you balance work, life, and an online degree—and we want it to feel easy!

Ready to start your journey in the exercise science program? Reach out to your Enrollment Services Advisor and begin your UC Bearcat journey today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is kinesiology better than exercise science?

Neither field is inherently better than the other. While kinesiology and exercise science are distinct fields, which one is better for you will depend on your individual goals and interests.

Which field pays more: kinesiology or exercise science?

Salaries for kinesiology and exercise science vary based on education level and specific job title. For example, while the median salary for a fitness trainer is $46,180 annually, exercise physiologists can make $79,830 annually in the top 10% of earners.

Can I become a kinesiologist with an exercise science degree?

Yes! Kinesiology and exercise science overlap in many ways and can often lead to the same careers. Because they are related fields, you can become a kinesiologist with an exercise science degree.