In the kinesiology major, you will study human movement and sport through various subdisciplines. The curriculum offers courses in exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control, motor development, and sport and exercise psychology. You will choose five additional courses based on your interests to further develop your knowledge. Additionally, you have the opportunity to work with faculty to conduct research in a specific area of kinesiology.
Graduates who majored in kinesiology work in private, public and corporate fitness centers, hospital wellness centers, high school and university strength and conditioning facilities, and pharmaceutical/biotechnology companies. The kinesiology major also offers excellent preparation for graduate school or professional school. In this major, you can also choose to pursue an optional clinical exercise physiology or sports medicine concentration, which allows you to gain practical experience to become a leading professional in health and fitness or athletic training.
Career Opportunities
Through the kinesiology major, you can prepare to take your next step in a wide range of careers, from athletics to corporate wellness and beyond. Below are just a few of the career fields available to you upon graduation:
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Health and wellness coach
- Strength and conditioning coach
- Wellness manager/coordinator
- Sport instructor/coach
- Pharmaceutical/biotechnology specialist
Potential Areas of Advanced Study
- Athletic administration
- Athletic training
- Biomechanics
- Chiropractic
- Dentistry
- Exercise physiology
- Occupational therapy
- Medicine
- Motor development/learning
- Physician assistant
- Physical therapy
- Product research and development
- Sport and exercise psychology
- Sport history
- University faculty
Learning Experiences
- Engage in hands-on lab activities in foundational courses.
- Design and implement a program to improve balance and motor function in older adults.
- Design and implement health and fitness programs for young and older adults.
- Participate in a research laboratory with our expert faculty.
Program Quick Facts
Degree Type:
Bachelor’s
Location:
West Lafayette
Department/School:
Department of Health and Kinesiology
Concentrations
Clinical Exercise Physiology Concentration
The Clinical Exercise Physiology concentration is a 24-credit optional concentration for students in the Kinesiology major in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. The concentration provides students with the knowledge and practical experience to become leading professionals in the field of health and fitness focused on promoting healthy lifestyles as well as preventing and treating chronic conditions. Students will be prepared for careers in specialties including cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, preventative cardiology, diabetes prevention and management, obesity prevention and treatment, and oncology rehabilitation. Students will be well positioned to sit for and pass certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, National Academy of Sports Medicine, and more. Students completing the concentration will also be competitive candidates for advanced training and education in areas such as physical therapy, clinical exercise physiology, occupational therapy, medicine, and other related disciplines.
Note: If you would like to major in kinesiology with a concentration in clinical exercise physiology, apply to kinesiology using the Common Application. Your academic advisor will add the concentration during a future appointment.
Career Opportunities
- Cardiac rehabilitation specialist
- Wellness manager/coordinator
- Group exercise instructor
- Personal trainer/strength and conditioning coach
- Fitness manager/coordinator/specialist
Potential Areas of Advanced Study
- Athletic trainer
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Exercise physiology
- Medicine
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Physician assistant
- Recreational therapy
- University recreational sports
Learning Experiences
- Gain more than 200 hours of hands-on clinical experience in the clinical exercise physiology courses.
- Learn the knowledge and skills needed to become a certified personal trainer.
- Spend a summer at one of our study abroad programs.
Sports Medicine Concentration
In this optional concentration, you’ll participate in 75 hours of hands-on clinical experience in athletic training courses, and you’ll have training fieldwork opportunities in collegiate, high school and clinical/industry settings. You’ll gain the base knowledge to pursue graduate coursework in a variety of areas, including athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine or chiropractic medicine. Students in this program may choose to apply to Purdue University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program.
Note: If you would like to major in kinesiology with a concentration in sports medicine, apply to kinesiology using the Common Application. Your academic advisor will add the concentration during a future appointment.
Potential Areas of Advanced Study
- Athletic training
- Chiropractic
- Medicine
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Physician assistant
Learning Experiences
- Gain 75 hours of hands-on clinical experience in the athletic training courses.
- Spend a summer at one of our study abroad programs.
“I chose Purdue because I fell in love with campus and its diversity the first time I visited. I knew it was a place I could learn more about different cultures in addition to continuing to pursue things I was passionate about.”
— Maggie
Maggie
Maggie
Hometown: Elkhart, Indiana
Major: Kinesiology with an optional concentration in Clinical Exercise Physiology
Why Purdue: I chose Purdue because I fell in love with campus and its diversity the first time I visited. I knew it was a place I could learn more about different cultures in addition to continuing to pursue things I was passionate about.
Favorite Place at Purdue: My favorite place on campus is the Olympic weightlifting room at the CoRec.
Advice to an Incoming Freshman: Advice I would give to incoming freshman is: Listen to yourself. Explore the opportunities campus provides to you; go out to try new things, but know that on days when you’re struggling, the bare minimum is OK. You know yourself better than anyone else; listen to what you need. In the end, you’re here investing in yourself and your future.
HHS Success Mentors, Boiler Gold Rush, Sigma Alpha Lambda