Kinesiology
Master of Science
Fitting into an active career
As we work to enhance individual, team and societal health, wellbeing and performance, the demand for fitness, health, sport, healthcare and sports medicine professionals will continue to grow. A degree in kinesiology will position you for careers in health organizations, dance, the sports industry, fitness centers, corporations, recreation programs and other wellness settings.
This program is designed so you will develop advanced knowledge and skills across a range of kinesiology and exercise science fields. Student-focused study plans include research and authentic professional engagements (e.g., internships) in online and face-to-face learning formats. You'll explore how exercise influences physical and mental health, grounding your studies in fitness, human and sport performance, sports administration, clinical exercise physiology, dance pedagogy, and behavioral health. You’ll examine exercise physiology, sport psychology, physical activity, and the connections between health and disease to understand wellness from a holistic perspective. Through hands-on learning, you’ll apply this knowledge to help people manage weight, strengthen heart and lung health, improve athletic performance, prevent illness and support long-term well-being. Students have opportunities to conduct research in one of our many laboratories or in field-based settings. The kinesiology degree has three specializations:
- Exercise, sport and health sciences (face-to-face specialization with some online course options).
- Sport and recreation management (available as either an online or hybrid specialization).
- Physical activity and dance pedagogy (face-to-face specialization with some online course options).
Overview
Related Topics
Fitting into an active career
Application information
To ensure you meet the requirements for admission, review the following degree-specific criteria:
- Education level: Bachelor's
- GPA: 3.0
- GRE: No
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
- Number of references: Three
- Other requirements: No
Program availability
- Concentration: Thesis and non-thesis
- Semester intake: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Deadlines: General application deadlines
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Contact information
Program contact: Philip W. Scruggs (pwscruggs@uidaho.edu)
Graduate Admissions contact: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4001
Find Department of Movement Sciences faculty advisor contacts.
Costs, funding and research opportunities
Movement Sciences (MVSC) scholarships
Learn how to fund your graduate degree by visiting the Graduate Funding resources page.
Visit Financial Aid to find detailed information about cost of attendance for grad students.
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Have a background in sport, health, physical education, recreation, exercise science, psychology, dance or another related field
- Lead an active lifestyle, value human movement and a desire to enhance human performance and health
- Enjoy helping clients, athletes, patients, students, etc. achieve goals
- Want to conduct field, laboratory or professional practice research
- Are passionate about managing sport and wellness programs, planning events, policy and ethics in sport and healthHands-on learning
Gain experience and skills within one of the many research laboratories, including the Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, Human Performance Laboratory, Integrated Sports Medicine and Movement Analysis Laboratory, Cardio-DREAM Laboratory, Applies Muscle Physiology Laboratory, Integrated Pilates Movement Laboratory, Physical Activity Pedagogy Laboratory, or the Innovation Laboratory for Sport and Recreation. In addition to laboratory research experience options, students can participate in field-based internships and directed study experiences as part of their coursework.
Career outcomes
Current job openings
1,207 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Athletic Trainers
$59,208 - Exercise Physiologists
$60,472 - Fitness and Wellness Coordinators
$32,639 - Biostatisticians
$98,789 - Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
$47,462
* Career data provided by Lightcast.