Key Takeaways:
- Doctoral programs in exercise science and kinesiology range from research-focused PhDs to applied EdD and clinical doctorate tracks, with estimated total costs from roughly $14,700 to $53,000.
- Most programs accept students with a master’s degree already in hand, and many skip the GRE, making the path to enrollment more accessible than it once was.
- Graduates often move into university faculty roles, clinical leadership, sports science research, or advanced practice in athletic training.
An online PhD in exercise science and kinesiology can open doors to teaching, research, and leadership roles that a bachelor’s or master’s degree alone usually can’t reach. If you already work in athletic training, coaching, or health promotion and want to move into a more advanced position, a flexible doctoral program can make that jump possible without putting your career on pause.
GetEducated has spent years helping students sort through tuition costs and program formats so they can make a confident, informed choice. Below, you will find a mix of PhD and applied doctoral online kinesiology programs worth a closer look.
Top Online PhD Exercise Science & Kinesiology Programs
These nine programs blend research-driven PhDs with applied doctorates in education and athletic training, so you can match the format to your career goals. With estimated total costs ranging from $14,700 to $53,000, they cover a wide range of budgets and specializations, including exercise physiology, sport performance, and health and human performance leadership.
GetEducated's Picks
- Liberty University Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences - Exercise & Sport Science
- Ohio University Doctor of Athletic Training
- Temple University Doctorate of Athletic Training
Liberty University: Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, Exercise & Sport Science
Liberty University’s PhD in Health Sciences with a specialization in Exercise and Sport Science is designed for people who want to pursue careers in academia, research, or high-level industry roles in allied health. Coursework digs into sports performance and conditioning, occupational and environmental physiology, and biomechanics, so graduates leave with a genuinely research-ready skill set.
- Credits: 60
- Format: 100% Online, institution-paced
- Admission: Master’s degree required
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Students without a certification can still pursue roles as exercise physiologists, strength and conditioning coaches, or professors after completing their dissertations. Visit Liberty’s tuition and fees page for current pricing.
Ohio University: Doctor of Athletic Training
Ohio University offers one of the more budget-friendly doctorates on this list, a fully online Doctor of Athletic Training built for certified athletic trainers who want to step into advanced leadership. You can choose between a Clinical Practice or Clinical Research track depending on whether you want to stay hands-on or move toward scholarship.
- Format: 100% Online, no campus visits required
- Admission: Master’s degree, current athletic training certification recommended
- Timeline: As few as four semesters
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Coursework covers neuromechanics, evidence-based care, and health informatics, all while you keep working. Check Ohio University’s graduate tuition page for the latest rates.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro: Doctor of Education in Kinesiology
UNC Greensboro’s EdD in Kinesiology builds a professional learning community around leadership and research in physical activity and health. The four-year program mixes online coursework with three short campus visits, giving you an in-person connection without a full relocation.
- Credits: 54
- Format: Mostly Online
- Admission: Master’s degree, GRE required
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduates go on to work as university faculty, sports medicine directors, or wellness directors, among other paths. Details are available on UNCG’s graduate tuition and fees page.
Temple University: Doctorate of Athletic Training
Temple’s online Doctorate of Athletic Training is built specifically for currently certified athletic trainers who want sharper clinical decision-making skills, with a notable emphasis on concussion and mild traumatic brain injury care. Weekly live class sessions keep the program feeling collaborative rather than isolating.
- Credits: 36
- Format: 100% Online, institution-paced with live weekly sessions
- Admission: Master’s degree, current athletic training certification
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Faculty expertise in concussion research and shoulder injury gives the program a clinical edge. Pricing details are on Temple’s tuition and fees page.
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences: Doctor of Athletic Training
A.T. Still’s Doctor of Athletic Training is aimed at practicing athletic trainers and educators who want practical, applied experience rather than a purely theoretical degree. The program is designed around real-world problem-solving in athletic training and community health.
- Credits: 69
- Format: Mostly Online
- Admission: Master’s degree
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
It’s a solid fit for educators who teach athletic training coursework and want firsthand clinical grounding to bring back to the classroom. Current costs are listed on ATSU’s tuition page.
Concordia University, St. Paul: Doctorate in Education in Kinesiology
Concordia St. Paul’s EdD in Kinesiology focuses on human movement and physical activity, with coursework in health behavior change, disease prevention, and program management. The applied dissertation lets you tackle a real industry problem instead of a purely academic exercise.
- Credits: 61
- Format: 100% Online, institution-paced
- Admission: Master’s degree
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Career paths for graduates include athletic trainer, health educator, and exercise physiologist roles. Tuition information is on Concordia St. Paul’s tuition and financial aid page.
Concordia University, Chicago: Doctor of Education in Leadership, Health & Human Performance
This EdD from Concordia Chicago blends leadership training with health and human performance research, aiming to prepare graduates for clinical, academic, and research positions across exercise science and health promotion. It’s an interdisciplinary option for people who want a doctorate with a broader leadership lens.
- Credits: 61
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Master’s degree
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Career outcomes include exercise physiology research scientist, biomechanics specialist, and university professor. Visit Concordia Chicago’s cost of attendance page for tuition figures.
Concordia University, St. Paul: Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology
Concordia St. Paul’s PhD in Kinesiology is designed for mid-career professionals who want deep specialization in exercise physiology, sports nutrition, or strength and conditioning without pausing their current job. There’s no GRE or GMAT requirement, which removes a common barrier for working adults returning to school.
- Coursework: 55 credit hours plus 12 hours of dissertation research
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Master’s degree, no standardized test required
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
The program leans into research and leadership preparation for academia, healthcare, and the sports industry. See Concordia St. Paul’s tuition and financial aid page for current pricing.
Concordia University, Chicago: Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership, Health & Human Performance
Concordia Chicago’s PhD in Leadership with a Health and Human Performance focus is the most research-intensive of the university’s two offerings on this list, built for people aiming at clinical, academic, or leadership roles tied to kinesiology and exercise science. Coursework covers cardiovascular and neuromuscular responses to exercise alongside program design in physical activity and health.
- Credits: 67
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Master’s degree
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
The dissertation requirement ensures graduates leave with an original contribution to the field. Tuition details are available on Concordia Chicago’s cost of attendance page.
Online PhD Exercise Science & Kinesiology FAQ
Here are answers to some common questions people ask before applying to an online doctorate in this field.
What can you do with a PhD in exercise science or kinesiology?
Graduates often move into university teaching, applied research, or leadership roles in athletic training and sports medicine. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong demand for exercise physiologists and athletic trainers over the next decade, and a doctorate can help you qualify for the higher-level positions in both fields.
Do I need a GRE score to apply?
It depends on the school. Concordia St. Paul’s PhD in Kinesiology waives standardized testing entirely, while UNC Greensboro’s EdD in Kinesiology still requires the GRE, so check each program’s admission page before applying.
How long does an online doctorate in kinesiology take to finish?
Most programs on this list run three to four years, though Ohio University’s Doctor of Athletic Training can be finished in as few as four semesters for students who stay on pace. The timeline usually depends on dissertation progress more than coursework.
Is a PhD or an EdD better for a career in exercise science?
A PhD tends to lean toward original research and academic careers, while an EdD often suits people aiming at applied leadership in clinical or educational settings. If you are still weighing the difference, GetEducated’s guide on choosing the right online PhD walks through the factors worth considering.
What if I want a master’s degree first instead of jumping straight to a doctorate?
That’s a common and reasonable path. You can compare affordable online master’s in kinesiology programs to build the foundation before committing to doctoral-level work.
Are there other doctoral options outside of kinesiology specifically?
Yes. If your interests lean more toward broader health leadership than exercise science, a Doctor of Health Science program might be a better fit, since it covers healthcare leadership and policy rather than sport-specific research.
Start Your Online Doctorate in Exercise Science Today
Whether you are drawn to the clinical focus of an athletic training doctorate or the research depth of a PhD in kinesiology, the programs above give you a solid starting point for comparison. Take a closer look at the schools that fit your budget and career goals, and use GetEducated’s directory of online doctoral healthcare programs to keep exploring related options before you apply.