Kinesiology Degree Programs
Explore kinesiology's three major concentrations
Interested in the scientific perspective on physical activity and performance? Passionate about health and wellness? Planning on a career in coaching or athletic training? Pursue the exercise science major concentration, the health and physical education major concentration, or the physical activity and health promotion major concentration. You can also earn a coaching endorsement or authorization certification.
Why major in kinesiology at Cornell?
As a kinesiology student, you will be immersed in a flexible, science-based curriculum that will prepare you for a career in the health and fitness industries or for future health science studies.
Where can your kinesiology degree take you? Cornell graduates have gone on to pursue careers in medicine, athletic training, exercise science, personal training, health promotion, sport and exercise psychology, occupational therapy, biomechanics, cardiac rehabilitation, chiropractic medicine, sports medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, nutrition, coaching, and health and physical education teaching.
Our distinct One Course At A Time calendar sets us apart. You will spend 18 days focused on working on one subject or working side by side with professionals in your field. Plus, you’ll have the flexibility to engage in one- or two-block internships or work with faculty members on advanced academic projects. With our focus on providing a well-rounded liberal arts foundation, you’ll stand out to employers with your exceptional communication and critical thinking abilities.
Experiential learning and internships
Welcome to the real world
Want real-world, hands-on experience? Cornell offers plenty of opportunities for you. As a kinesiology major, you will have the chance to work closely with faculty to complete both independent and collaborative research projects. You can also apply for the Cornell Summer Research Institute or work with professors independently during the academic year.
If you’re interested in a high-profile internship, you’ll be glad to know our students have worked with NBA clinics, University of Iowa Athletics, the Iowa Sports Festival, Special Olympics Iowa, Grant Wood Area Education Agency, Iowa public schools, and a wide range of prominent hospitals and physical therapy clinics—to name just a few.
Pre-workout beverages--do they work?
A team of Cornell College researchers is testing what works and what doesn’t when it comes to pre-workout beverages–a popular trend for athletes and a growing multi-billion dollar industry.
CSRI: Pre-workout - Does it work? from Cornell College on Vimeo.
Kinesiology has a lab for that
Our Exercise Physiology Lab gives you access to a range of technologies that you can use in classroom experiments as well as in undergraduate research projects.
Our Movement Analysis Lab uses state-of-the-art technology to study biomechanical aspects of human movements, including motion tracking, ground reaction forces, and wireless EMG monitoring.
Our Sport and Exercise Psychology Lab enables you to work with people to understand social forces that shape exercise and sports behavior.
Our Psychomotor Learning and Development Lab introduces students to the acquisition and development of fine and gross motor skills as the foundation for lifetime physical activity skills.
Our Anatomy Lab is uniquely designed to help students immerse themselves in learning human anatomy and physiology through cadaver-based dissection and human physiology data acquisition systems.
Kinesiology course requirements
With our Ingenuity Curriculum, you’ll receive a solid academic foundation that will help you build the critical thinking and problem-solving skills you’ll need to excel in your major course of study.
Whether you choose to pursue a major in exercise science, physical activity and health promotion, or health and physical education (teaching), you will take a variety of foundational courses that will set you up for success.
Exercise science major concentration
As an exercise science major, you will explore a broad range of courses, including anatomy and physiology, sport and exercise psychology, exercise physiology, and exercise testing and prescription.
Physical activity and health promotion major concentration
As a physical activity and health promotion major, you will learn about how physical activity can lead to a more healthy society. You will take courses in the areas of anatomy and physiology.
Health and physical education teaching major concentration
As a health and physical education major, you will learn about methods for teaching health education; elementary foundational motor skills; and secondary individual, dual, team sports, and fitness activities. You will learn to teach adapted physical education to PreK-12 students with disabilities. You will connect theory to practice through hands-on experiences in public schools by observing and teaching for a week during elementary, secondary, and adapted P.E. methods courses. You will take additional education courses including three blocks of student-teaching at both elementary and secondary levels during your senior year. The coaching authorization enables you to work in PreK-12 schools as H.P.E. teachers while coaching your preferred sports.
Get your coaching endorsement or authorization certification
You will learn about coaching methods and philosophy and strategies for preventing athletic injuries while completing CPR and First Aid certifications if you pursue the coaching endorsement or authorization certification.
Learn more about kinesiology degree requirements by exploring our course catalog.
Student outcomes
Cornell offers exceptional support to students interested in physical therapy and other health-related professions through the Dimensions Program for Health Professions.
Seventy percent of sports medicine professionals possess graduate degrees. Through sports medicine assistantships and other opportunities, you will have opportunities to prepare for graduate programs in sports medicine.
With a deep commitment to research and a passion for learning, our faculty brings a diverse range of experiences and insights to the classroom every day.
We offer a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology with three different areas of concentration to choose from.
- Exercise science
- Physical activity and health promotion
- Health and physical education teaching
We also offer a coaching endorsement or authorization certification.
As a kinesiology student, you have a wide range of unique opportunities available to you, including hands-on work experience, certifications, honors, awards, sports medicine assistant internships, and strength and conditioning internships.