Anatomy, Physiology and Psychology of Movement
A science-based major that keeps you close to sport, health, and human performance – and opens doors to clinical and performance careers.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology (APK) is designed for students who want a strong scientific foundation for careers in medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, athletic training, dentistry, nursing, and other health professions. You’ll study how the human body moves, adapts, heals, and performs – knowledge that directly supports success in advanced clinical programs.
APK blends rigorous coursework in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, motor behavior, and exercise science with hands‑on learning and research opportunities. Students graduate prepared for competitive professional programs and a wide range of health‑related careers.
Flexible upper-level coursework tailored to your interests/career goals
The undergraduate curriculum gives you a solid foundation in basic science, with classes focusing on the biological aspects of exercise. Depending on your interests, you can choose classes that dive deeper into exercise programming, techniques and the physical aspects of movement. If you’re thinking about a career in fitness, wellness or allied health professions, these classes could be a great fit for you.
If you’re aiming for graduate school, medical school or other advanced programs in health sciences after you graduate, we offer classes with more clinical and advanced physiological content. Gain knowledge and skills you need to excel in those programs later on.
APK distinguishes itself through a combination of excellence, access, and outcomes.
- Ranked #1 among Kinesiology & Exercise Science programs in the U.S.
- Smaller class/lab sections for meaningful, hands-on learning
- Nearly all core APK classes offered in both fall and spring to keep you on track
- APK applicants achieve a 46% admission rate to medical school and a 47% acceptance rate to PT programs
- APK enrollment has grown nearly 56% since 2014: a clear sign of rising interest, strong student outcomes, and the program’s expanding reputation, matched by nearly 60% increase in faculty to maintain an exceptional student experience
APK gives pre‑health students a powerful head start. They build the scientific reasoning, communication skills, and hands‑on experience that health‑professional schools expect – and it shows in our outcomes. With strong access to research, clinical observation, and applied learning, APK students consistently earn competitive acceptance rates to medical and PT programs.
- APK applicants achieve a 46% admission rate to medical school and a 47% acceptance rate to PT programs, matching or surpassing national acceptance trends
- Opportunities to participate in research, clinical observation, and applied experiences
- A curriculum that builds the scientific reasoning and communication skills valued by health‑professional schools
- Coursework that supports pre-health requirements and strengthens clinical preparation
Sample APK Pre-Health Plans
Career Paths
APK graduates pursue careers and advanced study in:
- Medicine
- Physical therapy
- Physician assistant studies
- Occupational therapy
- Dentistry
- Nursing
- Chiropractic medicine
- Exercise physiology
- Strength and conditioning
- Rehabilitation services
- Wellness and health coaching
- Recreational therapy
- Healthcare administration
Career Growth Projections
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects strong growth across many careers connected to applied physiology and kinesiology. Several key health, wellness, and rehabilitation professions are expected to grow faster or much faster than average through 2034, reflecting nationwide demand for preventive care, rehabilitation services, and performance optimization.
Students with a B.S. in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology can obtain a wide variety of professions. The percentages shown are the projected growth rates from 2024-2034 from the BLS for each occupation.
- Athletic trainers: specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses
- 11% growth (much faster than average)
- Coaches: (includes strength and conditioning): teach amateur or professional athletes the skills they need to succeed at their sport
- 6% growth (faster than average)
- Dentistry: diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth
- 4% growth (as fast as average)
- Exercise physiologists: develop fitness and exercise programs to help people improve their health
- 9% growth (much faster than average)
- Fitness trainer and instructors: lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities
- 12% growth (much faster than average)
- Medical and health services managers: (including health and wellness managers): plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare providers
- 23% growth (much faster than average)
- Occupational therapist: evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities to help them with vocational, daily living, and other skills that promote independence
- 14% growth (much faster than average)
- Physical therapist: help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain
- 11% growth (much faster than average)
- Physician assistant: examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a physician
- 20% growth (much faster than average)
- Recreational therapist: plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based medical treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses
- 3% (as fast as average)
- Registered nurse: provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions
- 5% growth (faster than average)
Students in the Applied Physiology & Kinesiology program build a strong foundation in human movement, health, and performance. These skills align with growing demand across clinical, fitness, rehabilitation, and human‑performance careers. Employers in health care, athletics, corporate wellness, and research increasingly seek professionals who can integrate scientific knowledge, assessment skills, communication, and technology to improve health outcomes and optimize performance.
As an APK student, you will learn to:
- Analyze movement patterns and assess posture to improve performance and reduce injury risk
- Critically evaluate scientific literature and conduct your own research
- Demonstrate a solid understanding of human anatomy, with emphasis on the structure of muscles, bones and joints
- Design evidence-based exercise programs for a range of populations, from athletes to those with clinical diagnoses
- Explore the psychological factors that influence physical activity, motivation and adherence to exercise programs
- Explain motor skill acquisition, motor control and recognize developmental milestones
These skills help students excel in upper‑level science courses, entrance exams, and professional program interviews.
All APK students complete 12 credit hours of internship, built into the degree, as a capstone experience. By graduation, APK students leave with more than a transcript; they gain practical skills, industry connections, and real-world experiences they can speak about in interviews and personal statements. Examples of past internship sites include:
- Apple, Inc.
- Army West Point Athletics
- Cleveland Guardians
- Duke University School of Medicine
- IMG Academy
- Minnesota Twins
- National Sports Medicine Institute
- Naval Medical Research Unit
- UF Athletic Association (UAA)
- UF College of Medicine
- UF Health
- University of Georgia Athletic Association
- University of Tennessee – Knoxville Olympic Sports Performance Department
- United States Marine Corps
- USAA
- Verizon
- Yale University
APK alumni are building meaningful careers at leading organizations across the country. Their success reflects the strength of the program and the real‑world preparation students gain throughout their time at UF. The employers below showcase the reach and momentum of the APK alumni network and represent only a sample of where our graduates are making an impact.
- Amazon
- Ascension
- Brooks Rehabilitation
- Classroom Champions
- Cora Physical Therapy
- Georgia Southern University
- Hillsborough County Public Schools
- IMG Academy
- Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
- Jackson Memorial Hospital
- Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
- JP Morgan Chase & Co.
- Lockheed Martin
- Nashville Predators
- Orthopedic Center of Florida
- Quest Diagnostics
- San Diego Padres
- Tampa Yacht & Country Club
- UF
- UF Health
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command
- U.S. Defense Health Agency
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Tennis Association
- USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Walt Disney World
- Whole Foods Market
- YMCA
Competitive Edge
APK applicants achieve a 46 percent admission rate to medical school and a 47 percent acceptance rate to PT programs
Center for Exercise Science
The Center for Exercise Science is a nationally recognized research hub focused on how physical activity influences health, aging, muscle function, cardiovascular performance, and chronic disease. Students have opportunities to engage in research, assist in labs, and learn from faculty conducting impactful work in human health.
Visit the CES“Every professor seems to be so good and cannot be topped, but then the next one is just as good. I don’t think there is a drop off with any APK professor.”
– Kyle G., APK Undergrad Student
APK Undergraduate Admission Information
Incoming Freshman
Freshman admissions are administered through the UF Office of Admissions. There’s no separate APK application for freshmen. Students transition into APK once they’ve completed the foundational prerequisites.
If you have recently been accepted as a freshman to UF, congratulations! You will select a major at your Preview session (regardless of what was listed on your UF application). We encourage you to explore the APK section of our website and attend one of our info sessions at Preview to learn more about the APK program and HHP. Preview advisors are available to help you map out a pre-health-aligned course plan.
If you’ve already attended Preview and wish to change your major to APK or want to connect with an advisor, you can reach out to one of our APK advisors.
Change of Major to APK
For a student to be considered as a change of major, the following criteria must be met accordingly:
Lower Division Students
- Minimum UF GPA
- Minimum UT GPA as designated by the Department curriculum
- No deficit points
- Must have the ability to complete all tracking requirements by the required UT term (based on desired major)
- Completion of the Change of Major form
Upper Division Students
- Minimum UF GPA
- Minimum universal tracking (UT) GPA as designated by the Department curriculum
- No deficit points
- Must be able to complete degree within 132 hours or 8 semesters (not including summer) without exceeding the maximum credit hours per semester. (Excludes AP/IB courses not needed for HHP degree program)
- Must have completed 75% of universal tracking courses for desired major
- Must have all writing and math requirements met
- Must have a minimum of 27 hours of General Education requirements met
- Completion of the Change of Major form
Additional Notes:
- Students admitted to UF as transfers are not able to change majors into the College.
- Current HHP students may not change into another HHP major unless they currently meet the major’s criteria.
- Students who were dismissed from a college major cannot change out of HHP and then be accepted back into the College as a change of major.
APK Transfer Students
Review the transfer admission requirements for APK.
For application information, transfer students should refer to the admission as a transfer section of the UF Undergraduate Catalog. Within space and fiscal limitations, applicants from other institutions who have satisfied minimum requirements will be considered for admission at the junior level.
Meet Our APK Advisors
