Arizona State University Online Kinesiology (BS)

ASU's online B.S. in Kinesiology is a science-heavy bachelor's built for people headed to physical therapy, occupational therapy or physician assistant school. It's the same curriculum ASU teaches on campus, at $580 per credit plus program fees. But it isn't tied to a certification, and its pages don't list CAAHEP or CASCE accreditation for the online degree, so check that before counting on ACSM or NSCA rules.

Arizona State University is a large public research university, and this degree sits in its College of Health Solutions. The Higher Learning Commission accredits the university. The degree is 120 credits across 38 classes, each 7.5 weeks long, and the next start is January 11, 2027. It's also offered in person, and your diploma won't say online.

To be admitted you need a high school diploma and 14 of ASU's competency courses. Then you meet one of three tests: top 25% of your class, a 3.00 GPA in those courses, or an ACT or SAT score. Test scores aren't required. If you miss those, Earned Admission lets you qualify with online courses at a 2.75 GPA.

Classes run 7.5 weeks, and ASU says the same faculty teach online and on campus and follow the same curriculum. Starts come several times per semester, so you aren't locked into a single fall intake. An enrollment coach helps with admission and transfer credit.

The checksheet names one in-person catch. If you choose General Organic Chemistry I with its lab, CHM 237 needs hands-on experiments during a one-week summer session on the Tempe campus. You can pick microbiology or physics instead.

At the university level, IPEDS shows a 90% admission rate and a 68% graduation rate.

Who It Fits

• Future physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant and chiropractic students. ASU says the curriculum includes the prerequisites for those graduate programs, and it names clinical exercise physiology too. The sciences are real: two semesters of general biology, human anatomy and physiology, and general chemistry.
• Students who want experience on the transcript. The college requires a three-credit experiential learning course, and options include an internship, undergraduate research, and applied health experience.
• Transfer students. ASU accepts up to 64 transfer credits for most undergraduate programs, and it awards credit for C-or-better coursework from regionally accredited schools.

Who Should Skip It

• Skip it if you want a degree that ends in a personal trainer or strength coach certification. The kinesiology pages name no certification prep.
• Skip it if you need the lowest price. Tuition is $580 per credit and fees are on top, so it isn't a budget option.
• Skip it if you want the accelerated B.S. plus M.S. in Clinical Exercise Physiology. ASU says that option isn't available to online students.

The core is KIN 101 Introduction to Kinesiology, KIN 290 Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice, KIN 334 Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology, KIN 335 Biomechanics, KIN 340 Physiology of Exercise, KIN 345 Motor Behavior, KIN 352 Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Activity, MED 320 Applied Medical and Health Care Ethics, and PSY 366 Psychological Disorders.

You then choose 21 credits of upper-division electives. The list includes EXW 427 Exercise Prescription for Cardiometabolic Health, KIN 447 ECG Interpretation, KIN 460 Theory of Strength Training, KIN 466 Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology, SSP 316 Exercise and Sport Physiology Laboratory, and KIN 484 Internship.

Foundational courses add 41 credits of biology, chemistry, physics, math, statistics and psychology.

Courses the School Names

• KIN 101 Introduction to Kinesiology
• KIN 290 Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice
• KIN 334 Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology
• KIN 335 Biomechanics
• KIN 340 Physiology of Exercise
• KIN 345 Motor Behavior

Standout Features

• Same degree also offered on campus; ASU diploma does not say 'online'
• Required 3-credit College of Health Solutions experiential learning course; KIN 484 Internship is one of several options
• Campus version has accelerated BS+MS with Clinical Exercise Physiology MS, but not available to ASU Online students

ASU Online charges $580 per credit for most undergraduate programs, plus program fees that vary by major. At 120 credits, tuition alone is $69,600.

If you transfer the 64-credit maximum, you'd pay for 56 credits, or $32,480 in tuition. ASU has a tuition estimator, and you'd want the fee figure for this specific major.

A payment plan splits costs into three installments per semester and charges $50 to $200 to join, depending on residency.

120 credits at $580 a credit comes to $69,600 in tuition, before fees.

The Higher Learning Commission accredits ASU as a whole. But the online kinesiology degree itself doesn't appear on our CAAHEP or CASCE lists. ASU's CAAHEP listing is the campus-based B.S. in Clinical Exercise Science, and its CASCE listing is the campus B.S. in Strength and Conditioning.

That matters for two dates. From August 15, 2027, ACSM-EP and ACSM-CEP candidates must graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited program or one that has started the process. From January 1, 2030, U.S. CSCS candidates need a bachelor's from a CASCE-accredited program.

Ask ASU which route this online degree takes, in writing. Personal trainer exams don't need a degree.

Where this degree can lead: Exercise Science Jobs.

The full rubric is on the methodology page. A factor marked Peer Median had no published input, so it counts at half weight.

• The pages list no program fees. Get the estimator's full number before comparing prices.
• Grade floors are strict. Most required courses need a C or better, and KIN 101 needs a B-, so one bad semester can mean a retake.
• The career list on the program page includes MD, physical rehabilitation physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist and physician assistant. Each of those needs graduate or professional school after this degree.
• The BS/MS accelerated option with Clinical Exercise Physiology is campus-only.
• The program page calls the internship an opportunity. But the curriculum sheet makes a three-credit experiential learning course a requirement, with an internship as only one choice.

• How do the biology, chemistry and physics labs work online, and are any proctored or done at home with a kit?
• Which of the electives, such as KIN 447 ECG Interpretation or SSP 316 Exercise and Sport Physiology Laboratory, are taught online, and how often?
• What are the program fees per credit for this major, and what does the estimator say for 120 credits?
• Does the online kinesiology degree have CAAHEP accreditation, or has it started the process, and which ASU degree should I choose if I want ACSM-EP?
• Can I use KIN 484 Internship for the experiential requirement if I live outside Arizona, and who arranges the site?
• Would the prerequisites here match the list at the physical therapy or physician assistant program I'm targeting?

Large public research university whose College of Health Solutions houses the kinesiology program; ASU Online offers the same degree as its campus versions (diplomas do not say online). The college reports 6,500+ students, 160+ faculty and $14.5 million in research expenditures, with partnerships with Mayo Clinic, Banner Health, HonorHealth and Dignity Health.

• Best Online Exercise Science Degrees Rank 22 of 46, bachelor's
• Best Online Bachelor's Programs Rank 22 of 46, bachelor's
• Best Online Kinesiology Degrees Rank 9 of 18, bachelor's
• Accelerated Online Programs Rank 11 of 12, bachelor's
• Best for Working Adults Rank 14 of 23, bachelor's
• Best for Career Changers Rank 10 of 20, bachelor's
• Best Degree Completion Programs Rank 17 of 34, bachelor's
• Best Pre-Physical Therapy Programs Rank 9 of 24, bachelor's
• Best Pre-Health Programs Rank 8 of 23, bachelor's
• Best 100% Online Programs Rank 20 of 34, bachelor's
• Best Online Programs in Arizona Rank 3 of 4, bachelor's

• Health Sciences - Healthy Lifestyles and Fitness Science (BS)

  B.S., Bachelor's

  Fully Online $580 per credit Score 56.6

• University of Missouri

  Bachelor of Science in Sport Science with an Emphasis in Strength and Conditioning (Online)

  Missouri $841.70 per credit Score 55.9

• Maryville University of Saint Louis

  Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

  Missouri $575 per credit Score 56.0

• Franklin University

  B.S. in Exercise Science

  Ohio $398 per credit Score 55.1

• Tarleton State University

  Kinesiology, B.S.

  Texas Score 55.0