Why Choose Kinesiology at Bushnell?
Small classes, clinical faculty, and hands-on learning experiences help you build the knowledge and practical skills needed for careers in healthcare, human performance, coaching, and wellness. Bushnell’s Kinesiology program takes a graduate-school approach to learning, helping you develop a deep understanding of how the body functions from the cellular level to the complete organism through both scientific and clinical perspectives.
Faculty bring decades of experience in exercise science, rehabilitation, coaching, and human performance while providing personalized mentorship throughout the program. Through laboratory experiences, clinical assessments, internships, and applied learning opportunities, you’ll gain experience evaluating body mechanics, assessing physiological responses to exercise, and developing exercise and rehabilitation programs for real clients.
Whether your goal is graduate school or immediate entry into the workforce, you’ll graduate prepared for careers in physical therapy clinics, fitness and wellness facilities, athletic organizations, coaching environments, and other health-related professions.
100%
of students complete a senior capstone applying kinesiology concepts to a real client or patient
4+1
Accelerated pathway to earn a bachelor’s degree and M.A. in Sports Management
2
Specialized pathways in Exercise Science and Coaching & Athletic Administration
Internship Experience
You’ll gain hands-on experience through internships, clinical learning opportunities, and applied experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world healthcare, fitness, and athletic environments. You’ll work alongside therapists, trainers, coaches, and healthcare professionals while applying scientific concepts to fitness assessments, movement analysis, exercise programming, and client interactions.
Internship opportunities include physical therapy clinics, hospitals, athletic training centers, university athletics, fitness facilities, chiropractic clinics, and community wellness organizations. You’ll also gain experience assessing body mechanics, collecting physiological measurements, and working with individuals experiencing common health and movement-related conditions. These experiences help you build professional confidence, strengthen communication skills, and prepare for both graduate study and careers in health and human performance professions.
What You’ll Study
How the Curriculum is Structured
Bushnell’s Kinesiology curriculum combines foundational science coursework with specialized study in human movement, exercise, performance, and wellness. You’ll build knowledge in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, motor learning, and strength and conditioning while developing the analytical and problem-solving skills needed for careers in healthcare, rehabilitation, coaching, and human performance.
Through laboratory experiences, clinical assessments, exercise testing, and applied learning opportunities, you’ll learn how the body responds to movement, exercise, injury, and recovery. You’ll gain experience collecting physiological measurements, assessing movement patterns and body mechanics, and developing evidence-based exercise and rehabilitation programs for real clients. A senior capstone project provides an opportunity to apply your learning by designing and implementing an exercise or rehabilitation program for a real client while preparing for graduate study and professional practice.
Concentrations & Pathways
Exercise Science
Build a strong foundation in physiology, biomechanics, and exercise science while learning to assess fitness, interpret performance data, and design evidence-based exercise programs. This concentration is ideal if you’re preparing for careers or graduate study in physical therapy, athletic training, exercise physiology, and other health-related professions.
Coaching & Athletic Administration
Prepare for leadership roles in coaching, athletic administration, and sport management through coursework in leadership, sport psychology, communication, and athlete development. You’ll gain practical experience through internships while learning how to support athlete success, lead teams, and manage athletic programs.
Accelerated Dual Pathway (4+1)
Students can earn two degrees (B.S. and Master of Arts in Sports Management) in five years by enrolling in our Accelerated Dual Pathway.
Graduate Career Ready
What Can You Do with a Degree in Kinesiology?
Students who graduate from the kinesiology program at Bushnell go on to pursue these types of careers:
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and related rehabilitation fields
- Athletic training, strength and conditioning, and sports performance
- Corporate wellness, community health promotion, and fitness leadership
- Cardiac rehabilitation, clinical exercise roles, and allied health support
- Coaching, athletic administration, and sport management
- Graduate programs in exercise science, athletic training, health professions, or medicine
Skills You’ll Gain
Through Bushnell’s Kinesiology program, you’ll develop practical and career-ready skills, including:
- Assess physical fitness, movement, and human performance
- Design exercise, conditioning, and wellness programs for diverse populations
- Apply exercise science principles to health, fitness, and performance goals
- Analyze biomechanics, movement patterns, and performance data
- Communicate effectively with clients, athletes, and healthcare professionals
- Support injury prevention, recovery, and long-term wellness strategies
Where Our Graduates Go
Bushnell Kinesiology graduates apply their knowledge of human performance, exercise science, health, and wellness across a variety of careers and graduate programs. Many graduates pursue opportunities in fitness, sports performance, rehabilitation, healthcare, coaching, and wellness-related fields, while others continue their education through professional and graduate programs.
Recent graduates have launched careers with organizations such as:
- Bushnell University
- Tensegrity Physical Therapy
- University of Oregon
- Boss Sports Performance
- Run Hub Northwest
- Summit Chiropractice & Sports
Graduate Programs
Many graduates also continue their education through competitive graduate and professional programs, including:
- University of Southern California (Physical Therapy)
- High Point University (Physical Therapy)
- Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (Physical Therapy)
- University of Utah College of Health (Physical Therapy)
- Ross University School of Medicine
- University of Western States (Chiropractic)
- Eastern Washington University (Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy)
- Pacific University (Physical Therapy and Athletic Training)
- George Fox University (Physical Therapy)
- University of Florida (Exercise Physiology Ph.D.)
- Saybrook University (Functional Nutrition)
- Nursing and allied health programs at Lane Community College, Portland Community College, and Wayne State University
Wheter pursuing careers in health and human performance or continuing into advanced professional study, Bushnell graduates leave prepared to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.
Frequently Asked Questions?
A Kinesiology degree from Bushnell University prepares you for careers in healthcare, rehabilitation, fitness, coaching, wellness, and human performance. Graduates pursue roles in strength and conditioning, athletic training, corporate wellness, community health, coaching, recreation, and sport leadership. Many students also continue into graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, exercise science, medicine, chiropractic care, and other health professions.
Yes. Bushnell’s Kinesiology program provides a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise science, and human movement while helping students develop the analytical and clinical skills needed for graduate study. Many students use the Exercise Science pathway to prepare for physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, and other healthcare-related graduate programs.
The Exercise Science pathway focuses on human performance, exercise physiology, biomechanics, fitness assessment, and rehabilitation-related preparation. It is ideal for students pursuing healthcare careers or graduate study in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, or exercise science.
The Coaching & Athletic Administration pathway combines kinesiology coursework with leadership, coaching, sport psychology, and athletic administration concepts. This pathway prepares students for careers in coaching, athletic administration, sport management, youth development, and performance leadership.
Kinesiology students gain hands-on experience through internships in clinical, athletic, fitness, and community health settings. Internship opportunities may include physical therapy clinics, hospitals, athletic training centers, university athletics, fitness facilities, chiropractic clinics, and wellness organizations. These experiences allow students to apply classroom learning in professional environments while building practical skills, professional connections, and graduate school readiness.
Contact Us
Have questions about Bushnell’s Kinesiology program? An admissions counselor can walk you through requirements, discuss transfer credits, and help you figure out your next step.
Our faculty and staff are 100% committed to your learning and invested in your success.
Come learn with us!
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