Where Applied physiology & kinesiology can take you
A Major That Opens Doors
Built to help you get where you want to go.
Applied Physiology & Kinesiology (APK) puts you on a path toward a wide range of careers focused on health, performance, and helping others live better lives.
You might be preparing for medical or therapy school. You might want to work in strength and conditioning, fitness, or clinical exercise. Or you may see yourself in human performance, wellness, or applied science.
Whatever your path, APK gives you the scientific foundation and real-world experience to get there. This is more than a major, it’s a launch point for your future.
APK 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)
- Physicians and surgeons: diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance
- 3% growth (as fast as 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)
APK Alumni Spotlights
APK alumni are out in the world doing incredible things – leading in clinical settings, advancing human performance, shaping community wellness, driving research, coaching elite athletes, and building careers they love. Their stories show what’s possible when you start with a strong foundation in movement science and hands‑on experience. Explore where an APK degree can take you, and imagine the path you’ll create next.
Erin Beane (MSAPK ’22)
Erin Beane turned her interest in exercise science into a career focused on helping others feel their best, even at one of the most well-known destinations in the world, Walt Disney World Resort.
After realizing her first major wasn’t the right fit, Erin found her path in kinesiology and exercise science, eventually earning her master’s degree in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology. Today, she works as an exercise coordinator, leading wellness programs and providing personalized fitness guidance to a large community of employees.
Her role combines science, leadership, and real-world impact. From managing a wellness facility to supporting individuals with their health goals, Erin uses what she learned in APK every day to improve lives.
Her journey shows how APK can lead to unexpected and exciting careers, especially for students interested in fitness, wellness, and helping others through science-backed approaches.
Christopher Bucciarelli (BSESS ’06)
Christopher Bucciarelli, M.D., M.B.A. is the chief medical officer (CMO) of St. Joseph’s Hospital South. As CMO, Dr. Bucciarelli assists doctors by providing clinical oversight to physicians, ensuring compliance and evaluating quality of services. He is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Room Physicians.
Chance Jackson, M.S., CSCS (MSAPK ’24)
Chance Jackson turned his passion for training and performance into a career in professional sports. Today, he serves as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the St. Louis Blues, where he helps athletes build strength, speed, and resilience to perform at their highest level.
With a background as a collegiate athlete, Chance used his education in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology to deepen his understanding of performance training, injury prevention, and program design. His work focuses on helping athletes reach peak performance while staying healthy throughout their careers.
His journey shows how APK can lead to opportunities in elite sports, giving you the skills to work directly with athletes and make an impact behind the scenes.
Explore more alumni spotlights to see the diverse paths our graduates are taking and imagine where APK could take you next.
Organizations Powered by APK Grads
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
Guided by Leaders in the Field
APK is supported by an Industry Advisory Board made up of accomplished professionals who know what it takes to succeed in today’s health and human performance fields. These leaders provide insight, mentorship, and strategic guidance that help shape the student experience and keep the program aligned with real‑world needs. Their involvement ensures you’re learning skills that matter and preparing to become the next generation of industry‑ready professionals.
A Hub for Breakthrough Research
The Center for Exercise Science (CES) is home to cutting‑edge research exploring how physical activity influences the body: from muscle and heart function to brain health and aging. As an APK student, you’ll learn in an environment where discovery happens daily. CES scientists are advancing knowledge that improves human health, and students gain hands‑on experience in labs that prepare them for careers in research, clinical practice, and health‑related science. It’s a place where curiosity becomes impact.
The CES also hosts an ongoing speaker series featuring leading researchers in cardiovascular, muscle, nerve, brain, and behavioral sciences. These sessions give students the chance to hear cutting‑edge discoveries firsthand and ask questions during live Q&A discussions. It’s an accessible way to explore new areas of interest, connect with experts, and see how research shapes the future of human health and performance.
Undergraduate Admission Information
Your Path to HHP