Master of Science in Kinesiology Online
The Master of Science in Kinesiology online program broadens your career outlook in sports science, human performance, rehab science, and more.
Apply by:
1/2/25
Program Overview
Improve others’ health and well-being with a kinesiology master’s
The Master of Science in Kinesiology online program is designed for graduate students who are interested in advancing their careers in the fields of human movement, biomechanics and orthopedics, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, motor learning and control, and skill acquisition. This program will provide you with the skills necessary to work in the field of exercise science, injury prevention, and health and human movement.
In the online master’s in kinesiology, you’ll explore biomechanical processes that affect human health and learn how managing those processes can contribute to overall well-being. If you are aiming to expand your career in rehab science or human performance in sports science, this is the ideal program for you. Graduates of this program are well-suited for teaching, athletic training, allied health, ergonomics, and health and wellness roles.
Kinesiology career opportunities:
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist
- Athletic Trainer or Director
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Sports Coach
- Corrective Exercise Specialist
- Rehab Specialist in chiropractor office
- Fitness Entrepreneur or CEO of fitness company
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist
- Athletic Trainer or Director
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Sports Coach
- Corrective Exercise Specialist
- Rehab Specialist in chiropractor office
- Fitness Entrepreneur or CEO of fitness company
$18,600*
Total Tuition
12 months
Duration
31
Credit Hours
Tuition
Pay-by-the-course tuition designed for you
The M.S. in Kinesiology online program tuition is the same affordable, pay-by-the-course rate for all U.S. residents. Fees are included in the total tuition, and financial aid may be available. Choosing Avila University means choosing a top 10 affordable online master's program, according to Forbes (2024).
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.S. Kinesiology | $600 | $1,800 | $18,600* |
*An additional leveling course (KN516 Anatomical Kinesiology) is required for students coming into the program without an undergrad degree in kinesiology or related field and students accepted into the program provisionally.
Tuition breakdown:
$18,600*
Total Tuition
$600
Per Credit Hour
Calendar
Our class schedule for the master’s in kinesiology
Ideal for working professionals, the M.S. in Kinesiology online program features 8-week courses and multiple start dates each year so you can begin at the time that works best for you. View the full calendar for all upcoming starts and corresponding deadlines.
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 2025 | 1/6/25 | 1/2/25 | 1/2/25 | 1/3/25 | 1/6/25 | 3/2/25 | 8 weeks |
| Spring 2 2025 | 3/3/25 | 2/26/25 | 2/26/25 | 2/28/25 | 3/3/25 | 5/4/25 | 8 weeks |
Now enrolling:
1/2/25
Apply Date
1/6/25
Class Starts
Ready to take the next steps toward earning your next degree?
Admissions
Review the master's in kinesiology admission requirements
We’ve simplified the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. You can find all requirements for admission to the Avila online M.S. in Kinesiology below.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- No GRE required
In order to be eligible for admission to the M.S. in Kinesiology program from Avila University, you must have the following:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- GPA requirements for unconditional admission: 2.75 cumulative grade point average at the completion of the undergraduate degree
- GPA requirements for provisional admission: 2.5 cumulative grade point average at the completion of the undergraduate degree
- Official transcripts from all institutions previously attended
Submit all official transcripts to:
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Avila University
11901 Wornall Road
Kansas City, MO 64145
Courses
Course topics for the master’s in kinesiology
In order to earn the M.S. in Kinesiology online, you will complete 11 courses for a total of 31 credit hours. The leveling course is required for students who do not have a bachelor's degree in kinesiology or related field OR for students who are provisionally admitted.
This course is only required if a student is provisionally admitted or if they do not have a bachelors degree related to kinesiology.
KN 516: Anatomical Kinesiology
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A broad introduction to the anatomy and physiology of body systems with an emphasis on the skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems. Participants apply a working knowledge of the body systems to make connections between humans and their environment, conduct an individual or team needs analysis, and investigate special topics related to health and human performance. This course helps establish a solid foundation for studying biomechanics, motor behavior, exercise physiology, and researching topics in kinesiology.
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Explain how the skeletal, muscular and nervous systems work together to cause human movement and respond to external forces (e.g., instability, training load)
- Describe the integrated structure and function of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive systems including acute responses to stressors (e.g., physical, psychological)
- Analyze basic movements or activities of daily living, exercise, and sport
- Evaluate key performance indicators of an individual or team performance
- Research current topics associated with kinesiology
KN 519: Applied Biomechanics
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Study of external forces and their effects on the body and its movement. Students will analyze, describe, and explain motion as they apply biomechanical principles to sport, exercise, and understanding causes of injury. This course emphasizes the application of core concepts of biomechanics using problem-based strategies that bridge the gap between the classroom and professional relevance. Special emphasis is placed on the biomechanics of resistance exercise.
Learning outcomes
- Describe the motion of an object (i.e., kinematics) and causes of motion (i.e., kinetics).
- Identify common problems with exercise and sport technique.
- Determine key biomechanical performance indicators for monitoring health and performance.
- Develop biomechanical strategies to reach health and performance goals.
KN 520: Environmental Physiology
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Acute challenges from the environment (e.g., ambient temperature, altitude, psychological stressors) activate the body’s stress response to mobilize energy for movement, regulate core body temperature, and deliver oxygen to tissues for the primary purpose of survival. Chronic environmental challenges may stimulate positive adaptations associated with health and performance or contribute to overtraining, burnout, and compromised health. A systems approach is used to study the physiological responses (i.e., cardiorespiratory function, neuroendocrine regulation) to environmental stressors and the effects of stress on health and performance.
Learning outcomes
- Explain physiological mechanisms associated with the human stress-response and its regulation. (i.e., cardiovascular and respiratory function, neuroendocrine response and regulation).
- Predict the effects of chronic stress on body systems.
- Determine key performance indicators of physiology for health and performance.
- Develop physiological strategies to reach health and performance goals.
KN 576: Motor Performance
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course combines a conceptual model of motor learning and performance with a principles-to-application learning approach. Emphasis is placed on applying knowledge about neuromuscular control of movement and psychological regulation of behavior to the observation, evaluation, and development of motor skills. Research and examples related to ADLs, rehabilitation, and athletic performance are examined and used to help students learn to ask better questions, identify solutions, and support their answers with established theory.
Learning outcomes
- Make the connection between the physiological and psychological components of motor behavior (i.e., the mind-body connection).
- Explain physiological mechanisms for planning and initiating, executing, and monitoring movement.
- Assess key performance indicators of motor development with an emphasis on skill acquisition, retention, and transfer of learning.
- Develop evidence-based exercise programming for postural control, functional training, and skilled movements.
KN 581: Exercising Muscle
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Exercising muscle is the study of how the human body functions. Cells, tissues, organs, and systems communicate and integrate to coordinate the body’s physiological functions. This course builds on the knowledge developed during basic coursework with an emphasis on studying bioenergetics, exercise metabolism, endocrine regulation during exercise, and neuromuscular control of movement. Special attention is given to understanding how the body responds to the added demands of an acute bout of exercise and adapts to exercise training.
Learning outcomes
- Describe conceptual frameworks for homeostasis, flow-down gradients, and cell-cell communication.
- Explain physiological mechanisms associated with exercising muscle (i.e., bioenergetics, exercise metabolism, neuroendocrine regulation, neuromuscular control of movement).
- Determine key performance indicators of physiology for fitness and sport.
- Develop evidence-based strategies to increase strength and anaerobic performance.
KN 618: Clinical Kinesiology
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course uses a case-based approach organized in three levels of neuromechanical analysis: tissue, single- and multi-joint, and whole body. Students will describe and explain motion as they apply movement concepts (e.g. mechanopathology and pathomechanics) to reducing movement related injury and optimizing motor learning and performance. Emphasis is placed on the integrated relationships between structure and function of the skeletal-articular, myofascial, and motor control systems. Practical activities include measuring joint range of motion, movement assessment, and corrective exercise programming.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the neuromuscular production of force, sources of resistance, and basic biomechanics of resistance exercise.
- Assess movement for range of motion, balance and coordination, and dynamic stability. Develop multi-joint stabilization strategies that facilitate motor control (i.e., pattern assisted, unloaded, resisted) through a full range of neurodevelopmental postures.
- Take a position on the role of strength and conditioning professionals involved with rehabilitation including scope of practice, communication with licensed professionals, and legally defensible strategies that promote joint motion and whole-body stabilization.
KN 627: Evidence-Based Recovery for Performance
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Recovery from the stressors of training and/or competition is complex and varies according to the demands placed on an individual or team. Incorporation of recovery strategies into high-performance programs has become the standard, benefiting from and helping drive the growing research in the area. Using an evidence-based approach to recovery and performance helps practitioners identify best practices and share objective information with athletes and clients. This course establishes a framework for reading, understanding, and integrating research with practical experience.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the basics of research
- Evaluate peer-reviewed journal articles.
- Research strategies for optimizing recovery for performance.
- Develop an evidence-based approach to recovery for performance that supports training and/or competition.
KN 639: Advanced Sport Psychology
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The primary academic objectives of the course include the introduction of the short but rich history of sport psychology, to provide an overview of the specializations within the field, to take a comprehensive and in-depth look at practical applications of sport/positive psychological research and theory to exercise and athletic competition, and to familiarize the student with potential careers and interest areas within sport psychology.
Learning outcomes
- Display data using tables, charts, and figures to enhance understanding and communication of scientific results.
- Compare individual and team data to performance norms or expectations.
- Use statistics as a tool to analyze quantitative data and make decisions.
- Make data informed recommendations to improve individual and/or team performance.
KN 643: Measurement and Evaluation
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Sport and exercise science practitioners are increasingly asked to measure and evaluate information for individuals and/or teams. This course reviews evidence-based concepts of athlete monitoring and practical strategies to use with athletes or clients. Practitioners will learn to ask better questions about monitoring and how to use data to inform the programming and coaching of their athletes. Instruction includes the practical use of statistics as a tool to help those in the movement sciences analyze quantitative data, and employs basic statistical software to calculate mathematical equations and display results.
KN 652: Mental Performance Coaching
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduces students to multiple cognitive strategies and psychological approaches in finding meaning through adversity to assist in various practices within the field of Kinesiology. Special emphasis is placed on introspection, critical thinking, challenging assumptions and biases, reality testing, cognitive reframing, developing empathetic listening skills, experimentation, exploration and asking more resourceful questions to position ourselves for our own brand of success despite adversity.
Learning outcomes
- Identify adverse conditions both in sport and life to which application of specific psychological techniques might mitigate the strain.
- Synthesize historical and current narrative and systematic reviews of research to make sense of the existing literature and to develop a better understanding of practical applications.
- Explore multiple strategies to engage, motivate, and communicate to facilitate behavior change both personally and within one’s own practice with students, athletes, patients and/or clients
- Develop a reliable plan to establish and execute a consistent response strategy for optimal growth in spite of perceived obstacles and inevitable adversity.
KN 665: Science and Practice of Strength Training
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The field of strength training continues to advance, but the principles that regulate the development of strength remain constant. This course integrates and applies exercise science knowledge to the practice of strength training. Practitioners will engage in advanced study of strength training basics, concepts of strength training, and strength training for special populations. Special attention is given to better understanding the complex relationships between training, injury, illness, and performance outcomes.
Learning outcomes
- Describe the basic principles, theories, and practical applications of strength training
- Explain key concepts of strength training program design.
- Investigate traditional and contemporary approaches to strength training.
- Design strength training programs to reduce the risk of injury, increase general fitness, and athletic development.
KN 685: Professional Portfolio (Capstone)
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
This course is designed to provide direction for students as they complete their electronic Professional Portfolio. Content from all courses in the program will be included. Students will have the opportunity to present their Professional Portfolio to industry experts.
Learning outcomes
- Prepare a professional portfolio that will demonstrate knowledge of the field of study.
- Integrate theory and practice to meet organizational goals.
- Present and implement solutions to address workplace problems.
