Best institutions to study Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist
A program that prepares individuals, under the direction of physicians, to treat the effects of disease, injury, and congenital disorders through therapeutic exercise and education.
6 U.S. institutions graduated 96 Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2311, a specialization of Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23), and leads most directly to the Physical Therapists occupation (BLS SOC 29-1123).
About Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist programs
A program that prepares individuals, under the direction of physicians, to treat the effects of disease, injury, and congenital disorders through therapeutic exercise and education. Includes instruction in human anatomy, human physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, therapeutic exercise and adapted physical education, human growth and development, motor learning and performance, testing and measurement, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, psychology, rehabilitation procedures, patient assessment and management, and professional standards and ethics.
See also: 31.0505 - Exercise Science and Kinesiology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist program prepares individuals to assist in the rehabilitation of patients affected by disease, injury, and congenital disorders. Under the guidance of physicians, students learn to utilize therapeutic exercise and education to improve patient outcomes and enhance physical functioning. This program is ideal for those passionate about health professions and helping others regain their physical capabilities.
Students in this program gain knowledge in human anatomy, kinesiology, biomechanics, and rehabilitation procedures. Coursework emphasizes critical skills such as patient assessment, treatment planning, and effective communication, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to support patients in their recovery journeys.
Credentials awarded
What Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree38 graduates / yr · 3 institutions40%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year28 graduates / yr · 1 institution29%
- Master's degree19 graduates / yr · 2 institutions20%
- Associate's degree11 graduates / yr · 1 institution12%
Graduates over time
Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 81 |
| 2013 | 86 |
| 2014 | 118 |
| 2015 | 97 |
| 2016 | 103 |
| 2017 | 98 |
| 2018 | 230 |
| 2019 | 144 |
| 2020 | 139 |
| 2021 | 110 |
| 2022 | 129 |
| 2023 | 106 |
| 2024 | 121 |
| 2025 | 96 |
Top 6 institutions for Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 85% | — | $39,836 |
| 2 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicBachelor's | 24 | 52% | — | $31,765 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicMaster's | 18 | 69% | — | — |
| 4 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor's | 13 | 64% | — | — |
| 5 | Truckee Meadows Community College Reno, NVPublicAssociate's | 11 | 32% | — | — |
| 6 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 2 | 53% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field (CIP 51.23) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 5 states
Where Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist graduates come from. Each state links to all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 2 | 37 | University of Akron Main Campus24 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 28 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus28 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 18 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte18 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 11 | Truckee Meadows Community College11 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 2 | Bridgewater State University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1123, Physical Therapists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Kinesiotherapy program can pursue careers as Physical Therapists or Exercise Physiologists. The job outlook for these professions is strong, with a projected growth rate of 10.9% and approximately 13,200 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is $101,020, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2311
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Physical Therapistsprimary SOC 29-1123 | $102,760 | +10.9% Much faster than average | ~13,200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Exercise Physiologists SOC 29-1128 | $59,460 | +9.5% Much faster than average | ~1,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
- Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
- Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
- Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
- Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
- Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.
Tools and technology used
Other Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions specializations
The 16 other 6-digit CIP codes under Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23).
- Physical Therapy/CIP 51.2308
Therapist 13,795 graduates / yr277 institutions - Occupational Therapy/CIP 51.2306
Therapist 9,796 graduates / yr250 institutions - Rehabilitation ScienceCIP 51.23141,023 graduates / yr47 institutions
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/CIP 51.2310
Counselor 935 graduates / yr58 institutions - Art Therapy/CIP 51.2301
Therapist 675 graduates / yr62 institutions - Therapeutic Recreation/CIP 51.2309
Recreational Therapy 640 graduates / yr49 institutions - Music Therapy/CIP 51.2305
Therapist 635 graduates / yr70 institutions - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.2399582 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Orthotist/CIP 51.2307
Prosthetist 302 graduates / yr17 institutions - Animal-Assisted TherapyCIP 51.2313108 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Play Therapy/CIP 51.2317
Therapist partial data93 graduates / yr6 institutions - Assistive/CIP 51.2312
Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering partial data52 graduates / yr8 institutions - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.2300partial data51 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Dance Therapy/CIP 51.2302
Therapist partial data39 graduates / yr5 institutions - Horticulture Therapy/CIP 51.2316
Therapist limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Drama Therapy/
Therapist51.2315
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs →
Common questions
What is Kinesiotherapy?+
Kinesiotherapy involves treating patients' physical dysfunctions through therapeutic exercise and education.
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You'll develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and patient assessment, among others.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Physical Therapist or Exercise Physiologist, with strong job growth and competitive salaries.
What is the CIP code for Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist?+
Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist is CIP 51.2311 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals, under the direction of physicians, to treat the effects of disease, injury, and congenital disorders through therapeutic exercise and education. Includes instruction in human anatomy, human physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, therapeutic exercise and adapted physical education, human growth and development, motor learning and performance, testing and measurement, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, psychology, rehabilitation procedures, patient assessment and management, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist programs?+
6 U.S. institutions reported Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 96 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions graduates.
How much do Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Physical Therapists occupation, which Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist most directly leads to, pays a median of $102,760 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field report median earnings of $39,836 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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