Kinesiology
Kinesiology
Turn your passion for movement, fitness, and health into a future you can build on. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ's Associate of Arts in Kinesiology gives you a strong, transfer-ready start toward a bachelor's degree in the field. This degree parallels the first two years of kinesiology baccalaureate programs at state colleges and universities across Texas. You'll complete 48 semester credit hours from the Core Curriculum, plus 15 semester credit hours of kinesiology. From your first course to your transfer, you'll build the knowledge and skills that prepare you for a meaningful career — close to home.
Top Careers in Kinesiology
A career in kinesiology lets you help people move, heal, and live healthier lives. You'll study how the body works, how exercise affects it, and how movement supports wellness. Your studies blend science with hands-on practice, so you graduate ready to keep moving toward your goals.
Kinesiology professionals serve in many roles. You could step into athletic training, rehabilitation, or consulting. You might work in recreation, education, or sports programs. Personal training and public health are open to you, too — and non-profit organizations often need people who understand fitness and care about their communities.
Your skills travel with you across many settings. Critical thinking, clear communication, and teamwork matter in every corner of the field. So does a sense of social and personal responsibility that guides good decisions.
Strong skills open doors. With a solid academic foundation behind you, you can keep building toward a bachelor's degree and a career that makes a difference.
Wages in kinesiology-related fields reward your education and effort. In Texas, Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn about $76,480 a year on average. Pay grows as you gain experience: the lowest 10% of workers statewide earn around $38,200, while the top 10% earn about $123,750 or more.
Schedule a Meeting
Steven J. Zani
Chair of General Education and Developmental Studies
Education Annex Building, Office 133
Phone: 409-984-6341
Email: zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Program Information
| course | title | sch |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | |
| HIST 1301 | United States History I | |
| PHIL 1301 | Introduction to Philosophy | |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | |
| KINE 1304 | Personal/Community Health | |
| EDUC 1100 | Learning Frameworks | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENGL 1302 | Composition II | |
| HIST 1302 | United States History II | |
| MATH 1314 | College Algebra | |
| KINE 1301 | Foundations of Kinesiology | |
| * | Creative Arts | |
| Third Semester | ||
| GOVT 2305 | Federal Government | |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | |
| KINE 1321 | Coaching Sports/Athletics | |
| BIOL 2301 | Anatomy & Physiology I ( Lec) | |
| BIOL 2101 | Anatomy & Physiology I (Lab) | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| GOVT 2306 | Texas Government | |
| PSYC 2317 | Statistical Methods in Psychology | |
| BIOL 2302 | Anatomy & Physiology II ( Lec) | |
| BIOL 2102 | Anatomy & Physiology II (Lab) | |
| KINE 1308 | Officiating | |
| KINE 2356 | Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries | |
| Total | ||
The Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Kinesiology program is built to move with you — toward a four-year degree and the career you want. As a two-year academic transfer degree, it gives you an affordable, smart start before you continue at a university. Here's how the program sets you up for success:
- Start with an academic transfer degree. The Associate of Arts in Kinesiology parallels the first two years of kinesiology baccalaureate programs at state colleges and universities in Texas. Your courses are built to carry forward, so you keep your momentum.
- Finish core complete. Complete the Â鶹Æƽâ°æ curriculum and you're considered core complete — a strong head start that lets you focus on your major after you transfer.
- Transfer toward a bachelor's degree. Up to 60–66 semester credit hours from Â鶹Æƽâ°æ apply toward a bachelor's degree at Lamar University, with an additional 60 hours or more needed to finish the four-year degree. An advisor can help you map your plan from day one, so no time or credits go to waste.
- Step into a meaningful career. Your foundation prepares you for paths in athletic training, rehabilitation, recreation, education, sports programs, and more — including roles like personal trainer and public health worker.
With a core-complete, transfer-ready foundation, you can continue toward a bachelor's degree and grow your career on a timeline that fits your goals.
What is the Kinesiology program at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
The program is an Associate of Arts in Kinesiology designed for students who plan to pursue a bachelor's degree. It focuses on human movement, exercise, and health, and it parallels the first two years of kinesiology baccalaureate programs at Texas colleges and universities. You'll complete 48 core credit hours plus 15 hours of kinesiology.
Is this an academic transfer degree?
Yes. This is a two-year academic transfer degree built to set you up for a four-year university. Complete the Â鶹Æƽâ°æ curriculum and you're considered core complete, giving you a strong head start toward your bachelor's degree — close to home.
Do I need prerequisites to start?
No. There are no specific prerequisites beyond Â鶹Æƽâ°æ's general admission standards. A solid background in science and health-related subjects helps, but it's not required to begin.
What skills will I build in this program?
You'll build skills that nearly every field values. Your training focuses on:
- Critical thinking, inquiry, and analysis of information
- Clear written, oral, and visual communication
- Empirical and quantitative reasoning with data and facts
- Teamwork and flexibility in working with others
- Social responsibility and civic engagement
- Personal responsibility and ethical decision-making
These are practical, transferable skills you can carry into a career or a four-year degree.
What will I learn about the body and movement?
You'll learn to describe the fundamentals of kinesiology, including anatomy and physiology, health promotion, the body's physiological response to exercise, and the mechanics of movement. You'll also apply scientific principles to evaluate physical activity and conditioning programs, and model behavior consistent with a kinesiology professional.
What careers can this degree lead to?
A degree in kinesiology opens doors across health, fitness, and sports. Graduates pursue roles in athletic training, rehabilitation, consulting, recreation, education, and sports programs. You could also work as a personal trainer, in public health, or with non-profit organizations.
Can I attend part-time?
Yes. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ offers flexible scheduling, so you can attend full-time or part-time. You can build a plan that fits your work, family, and budget.
Can I take Kinesiology courses online?
Three of the five kinesiology courses are taught online. That flexibility helps you balance school with the rest of your life.
Are there hands-on learning opportunities?
Yes. You'll learn through activity-based courses and fitness labs that give you real experience in exercise, wellness, and sports.
How many credits transfer to Lamar University?
Up to 60–66 semester credit hours from Â鶹Æƽâ°æ apply toward a bachelor's degree at Lamar University. From there, you'll complete an additional 60 hours or more to finish your four-year degree. You can also transfer to other Texas universities. An advisor can help you map your plan from day one.
Will I need certification to work in the field?
Some careers in fitness and wellness require certifications, like a Certified Personal Trainer credential. Paths in athletic training, physical therapy, or coaching call for additional coursework from a four-year university. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ gives you the foundation to pursue them.
How long does it take to finish?
You can complete this two-year academic transfer degree in about two years of full-time study. Part-time students may take longer. An advisor will help you choose a pace that fits your schedule.
How do I get started?
Take the first step today. Apply through ApplyTexas, then talk to an advisor about your goals and transfer plans. They'll walk you through enrollment, financial aid, and your course plan — one clear step at a time, close to home.
The Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Advantage
Ready to turn your interest in fitness and health into a career you can build on? Your path in kinesiology starts at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ. This two-year academic transfer degree gives you a strong, affordable foundation — and sets you up to transfer toward a bachelor's degree with confidence.
At Â鶹Æƽâ°æ, you learn from supportive instructors who know your name. You'll study anatomy and physiology, health promotion, the body's response to exercise, and the mechanics of movement. You'll sharpen real skills: critical thinking, clear communication, working with data, teamwork, and the kind of social and personal responsibility that good health work demands. You'll also gain hands-on experience through activity-based courses and fitness labs. Complete the Â鶹Æƽâ°æ curriculum and you're core complete, giving you a head start on your bachelor's degree at Lamar University.
By graduation, you'll have more than a degree. You'll have a transfer-ready foundation and the skills that open doors in athletic training, rehabilitation, recreation, education, and beyond. It's affordable, flexible, career-focused learning that meets you where you are — and prepares you for wherever you want to go.