Exercise Science and Kinesiotherapy

Overview

Exercise science and kinesiotherapy programs prepare people to teach therapeutic exercise to patients under the supervision of a physician.

Exercise science and kinesiotherapy programs include topics such as:

Human anatomy
Kinesiology
Therapeutic exercise and adapted physical education
Motor learning and performance
Patient assessment and management

Concentrations

In exercise science and kinesiotherapy programs students may be able to specialize in:

Exercise physiology
Kinesiology and exercise science
Physical fitness

Internships

Internships allow students to develop skills. Many exercise science and kinesiotherapy programs require students to complete an internship.

Schools

Several community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in exercise science and kinesiotherapy. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in exercise science and kinesiotherapy. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

Many colleges and universities offer graduate degrees in exercise science and kinesiotherapy. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

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Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Some schools require you to take the following courses before beginning a bachelor's degree program:

Abnormal Psychology
Anatomy and Physiology
Calculus
Communications
English Composition
General Biology
General Chemistry
Introduction to Biochemistry
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Medical Terminology
Physics

Other schools include these courses in their curriculum.

You should also be able to show a commitment to a physically active and healthy lifestyle.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Fitness and Conditioning Activities
Food and Nutrition
Food Science
Health and Fitness
Health Education
Healthcare Occupations
Healthcare Sciences Work Experience
Individual and Dual Sports
Introduction to Business
Lifetime Fitness Education
Physical Education
Psychology
Safety and First Aid
Sports Physiology
Team Sports
Weight Training

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree and good grades. You should major in a related field such as exercise science. In some cases, you can alternatively combine experience in fitness and health with several undergraduate courses in fitness, health education, and biological sciences.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
Letters of recommendation
Personal interview
Statement of career goals

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes courses similar to the following subjects:

Aerobic Conditioning
Basic Nutrition
Biomechanics
Coordination, Control, and Skill
Electrocardiography
Exercise Physiology
First Aid and Cardiovascular Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Foundations of Human Movement
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Methods of Fitness Exercise Instruction
Motor Development, Growth, and Form
Movement Experiences for Individuals with Disabilities
Neuromechanical Kinesiology
Personal Health and Fitness
Social Scientific Bases of Sport
Sport Psychology
Sports Medicine
Strength Training

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate programs that lead to a master's or doctoral degree typically include:

Core courses
Elective courses
Thesis or comprehensive exam (master's degree)
Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)

Core courses vary by program, but you can expect more advanced science courses and courses that teach you how to conduct more sophisticated research and analysis.

Many programs include clinical practicums or internships in their curriculum. This gives you the opportunity to practice and apply your knowledge and skills to a variety of different clinical settings. You would also benefit from the direct supervision of an experienced sports scientist or kinesiotherapist.

Things to Know

Many organizations offer certification exams in exercise science. Some of these organizations require that you complete a certain number of hours in clinical experience before you can take the certification exams.