2026/07/29 by Zachary A. Riley, Jefferson W. Streepey
Health Professions · Psychology · #Athletic Training and Education #Outdoor and Experiential Education #Physical Education and Pedagogy
paper · doi:10.1080/00336297.2026.2711713
crossref issued 2026/07/29 · crossref published 2026/07/29 · crossref published-online 2026/07/29 · openalex publication_date 2026/07/29 · crossref created 2026/07/29 · crossref deposited 2026/07/29 · crossref indexed 2026/07/29 · openalex created_date 2026/07/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Exercise science and kinesiology undergraduate degrees remain very popular areas of study; however, a bachelor’s degree in these fields does not promise a high-paying job with benefits. Careers that used to be viable options for exercise science bachelor’s degree holders are either low paying, do not offer benefits, or have limited career advancement, which causes many graduates to switch careers completely. However, the purpose of this article is to encourage a reframing of how these undergraduate degrees create a good foundation for future study in fields of medicine, health, and research. Graduate study is now more of a requirement, and exercise science educators and advisors need to inform students of their options early and guide them in the correct plan of study while still showing the benefit of an exercise science bachelor’s degree.