The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Penn State Berks seeks to provide students with an interest in professions related to health and fitness with practical skills well-grounded in theory and scientific knowledge. The faculty in the department are dedicated to creating an active-learning atmosphere, giving students access to high-quality courses, developing an environment for growing applied skills, providing opportunities for novel research, and sharing connections to a network of businesses and clinics for internships and job placement.

All of this is done in brand-new, cutting-edge research laboratories and exercise facilities. For those interested in pursuing graduate education, the Kinesiology program provides options with built-in flexibility to meet admission requirements for clinical or research-based post-graduate degrees. The interdisciplinary nature of the Kinesiology program, the dedication of the faculty in the department, and an active student body make the Kinesiology program at Penn State Berks a desirable place for students interested in pursuing careers in health, fitness, and sports.

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Skills for the Real World

The skills learned in the Kinesiology degree (Exercise Science option) at Penn State Berks are meant to be directly applied to the real world. Students learn both the background and application of knowledge throughout their coursework. Active learning in hands-on labs, courses designed specifically to teach health and fitness assessments, student-led research projects, and internships in settings such as hospitals, physical therapy clinics and fitness facilities, all capitalize on the importance of the direct application of knowledge. Graduates of the Kinesiology program at Penn State Berks leave not only with theoretical knowledge about health, fitness, and sport science, but also with a strongly developed practical skill set that can be used in a variety of professions related to physical activity, fitness, health, and sport. Students also often leverage their internship experiences into career and job opportunities.

Concentrations or Academic Tracks

Learn more about the Academic Tracks, or view the Suggested Academic Plans for each.

  • Science
  • Business

Internship Opportunities

All students in the Kinesiology major complete an internship as part of their degree requirements. Our faculty have established a network of relationships with local businesses and clinics in health-related fields to serve students with various career aspirations. Students in these internships gain key hands-on learning experiences. Some internship placements lead directly to job placement after graduation while others provide necessary clinical hours for admission to graduate programs

Graduates from this degree program have completed internships at:

  • Taylored Physical Therapy
  • Penn State Health St. Joseph Sports Medicine
  • Surgical Institute of Reading Physical Therapy
  • Tower Health Medical Group Sports Medicine
  • Berks Elite Training

Research Opportunities

Students in the Science Emphasis design and produce their own senior research thesis. This opportunity exposes students to cutting-edge technology in the Kinesiology field and the process of scholarly investigation. Students may also take advantage of other research opportunities with the Kinesiology faculty to work on projects beyond their thesis. Student research projects often lead to conference presentations and publications in academic journals, such as The American Society of Biomechanics, American College of Sports Medicine, American Heart Association, International Society of Hypertension, Association for Applied Sport Psychology, and the Journal of Sport Behavior.

The Kinesiology faculty maintain active research programs in a variety of subdisciplines, including biomechanics, exercise physiology, sport psychology, sport philosophy, and sport history.

Graduates from this degree program have conducted research in:

  • Cadaver bone geometric and mechanical integrity
  • Testing the efficacy of psychological interventions to improve body image in gymnasts, service performance in volleyball players, pitching performance in softball
  • Examining the role of emotions in swimming performance, team sports, and track & field
  • Validating activity monitors including Apple Watch & Actigraphs
  • Mechanical risk factors of injury in wrestling

After Graduation

The Kinesiology program at Penn State Berks provides background and applied experience in health and movement assessment, sport science, fitness testing, and healthy living practices. Graduates from the Kinesiology program can expect to gain employment in a variety of health- and fitness-related fields. With regards to fitness, graduates often pursue careers including: Personal trainer, Coach, Corporate fitness consultant, Fitness facility manager, Fitness administrator, Fitness product developer, Medical equipment sales, Sports psychologist, and Wellness consultant.

For those interested in allied health fields, graduates may pursue employment and graduate studies for the following careers: Physical therapist, Physician assistant, Athletic trainer, Clinical exercise physiologist, Chiropractor, Prosthetist/orthotist, Occupational therapist, Healthcare administrator, Physician, Massage therapist or Mental Performance Consultant.

Graduates from this degree program have gotten jobs at:

  • Yale Athletics
  • Physical Therapy Technician at Surgical Institute of Reading
  • Core Health Chiropractic
  • Stryker
  • Geisinger Health

Students interested in pursuing careers in allied health fields may need to pursue graduate education. Clinical, post-baccalaureate degrees are required for graduates pursuing employment as physical therapists, physician assistants, athletic trainers, chiropractors, occupational therapists, or clinical exercise physiologists. Some students may also choose to pursue research-oriented master's or doctoral degrees in the subdisciplines of Kinesiology, such as biomechanics, exercise physiology, sport and exercise psychology, and sport philosophy and history.

Graduates from this degree program have gone on to graduate school at:

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy: Alvernia University, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Scranton, DeSales University
  • Dual Doctor of Physical Therapy & Master of Science in Athletic Training: Shenandoah University
  • Physician Assistant: DeSales University, Johnson & Wales University, Penn State College of Medicine
  • Exercise Physiology: East Stroudsburg University, Bloomsburg University
  • Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology: Barry University