Students with a passion for human health and exercise might enjoy pursuing a major in kinesiology and exercise science. Kinesiology and exercise science students study human movement and how the body responds and adapts to physical activity, health, exercise, and sports.

Kinesiology and exercise science majors explore human movement through a diverse range of studies in the biological, psychological, physical, and social sciences, including health, exercise science, physical education, health and nutrition, exercise and health psychology, anatomy, physiology, motor behavior, and biomechanics.

Students can expect to learn about these topics within a traditional classroom; however, due to the nature of the major, kinesiology and exercise science programs often require exposure to a variety of physical and recreational activities outside of the classroom, allowing students to enhance their overall health and well-being. Field work is sometimes required of students in this program, allowing them to gain hands-on, real-world experience in their chosen career field.

All students who complete a degree designated as a Tennessee Transfer Pathway will be able to do the following:

• Demonstrate a sound foundational knowledge and understanding of the principles of biology, chemistry, and nutrition, and an advanced understanding of human anatomy and physiology as they relate to responses and adaptations to physical activity and exercise.
• Demonstrate basic laboratory skills pertaining to assessments, laboratory methods, sound experimental and analytical practices, data acquisition and reporting in the exercise sciences.  
• Demonstrate knowledge of the importance and influence of physical activity, kinesiology, nutrition and exercise on health and be an advocate for physically active lifestyles as a means to improve quality of life and reduce the risk and prevalence of lifestyle related diseases.
• Plan, administer, and evaluate wellness and fitness programs, nutrition projects, and exercise physiology tracks based in sport, clinical, industrial, and/or corporate environments.
• Demonstrate requisite skills and abilities for meaningful employment in exercise science related areas or pursue graduate studies in an exercise science related area.

Students in this major typically pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree; however, for career goals such as a physical or occupational therapist, exercise physiologist, kinesiologist, and/or dietician/nutritionist, an advanced degree may be required. Some programs allow students to curb their education toward their career goals by choosing a concentration or degree track, for example Physical Education Teacher, Athletic Training, Public Health, or Sport Management. Those interested in pursuing graduate study to become a physical or occupational therapist might consider a Pre-Health Professions track.

Exercise Physiologist: As an exercise physiologist, you'll assess the physical fitness of patients in hospitals and other medical facilities to measure strength, blood pressure, heart rate, and the amount of oxygen in the blood. You'll develop progressive exercise regimens that are safe for patients with varied, sometimes serious conditions, in addition to monitoring small groups of patients who are exercising and documenting their progress.  Other settings where exercise physiologists might work include nursing homes, sports medicine clinics and physical therapy offices. Exercise physiologists also work with healthier client populations, managing fitness programs at gyms or developing corporate fitness programs. You may even choose to pursue work in professional sports, developing exercise regimens to maximize athletic potential for particular sports.

Kinesiologist:  Kinesiology is a natural health care process that entails the thorough study of mechanics and anatomy of the human body. Kinesiologists specialize in the analysis of human body movement. They monitor human muscle movement to alleviate muscle ailments through the application of various healing techniques.

Kinesiologists help individuals cope with physical injuries and also work to manage, rehabilitate, and prevent disorders that impede movement. They demonstrate proper muscle movements to ward off further sprains and injuries. A skilled kinesiologist can, through prescribed muscle movements, reduce the physical crick that a patient undergoes in his/ her post-operative days.

Physical Education Teacher:  Physical education (PE) teachers organize games and challenges that promote physical activity among children and young adults from kindergarten to high school. Their goal is to develop motor skills and physical development among younger children and proper exercise and eating habits among older children. PE teachers must adjust their curricula to adapt to children with disabilities or different physical abilities. Some PE teachers also coach sports teams.

Like all instructors, PE teachers must have strong speaking and listening skills. Besides being knowledgeable about an activity, they need to be able to communicate and demonstrate it properly. PE teachers must be able to observe all their students and maintain discipline within the class. In addition to students, they interact with parents, other teachers and school administrators.

Athletic Trainer:  Athletic trainers diagnose and treat injuries to bone and muscle under the direction of licensed doctors or other health-care professionals. They work with anyone who engages in athletic activities, from elementary school children on playgrounds to professional athletics in Olympic competition. They prevent injury through the use of devices such as tape and braces, recognize and evaluate injuries, and provide emergency care. They rehabilitate hurt athletes and plan programs to prevent injury and illness. They also perform administrative tasks such as meeting with administrative officials, keeping records and dealing with sports budgets.

Sport Management:  A sports manager has numerous responsibilities that revolve around making it easier for their clients to focus on winning without worrying about the business or organization side of sports. Unlike sports agents, managers don't focus on contracts for their clients, instead managers ensure that their clients are getting the proper attention and training to allow them to compete at their highest level. Sports managers are hired at a variety of venues including academic institutions, amateur and professional leagues, sporting goods companies, and even sports marketing firms.

• Apply for financial aid at www.FAFSA.gov
• A student is encouraged to apply early for financial aid. He/she must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the FAFSA Renewal Application as soon as possible after October 1 to ensure that the Financial Aid Office receives the Institutional Student Information Record and other documents prior to the priority deadline. July 1st is the priority deadline for applying for the fall semester and December 1st for the spring semester.