Three Students in Professional Wear Walking Down Hallway.

Kinesiology and Sport Management

Explore the science of human movement or the business of sport through the kinesiology and sport management major. With specializations in exercise science and sport management, this major offers you a variety of unique, real-world learning experiences as you prepare for your career or further education.

Why Study Kinesiology and Sport Management?

As a kinesiology and sport management major at USD, you will gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge as you prepare for a career related to human movement or sport. You'll embark on one of two specialization tracks: exercise science or sport management. Exercise science is a great choice for students interested in going on to graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, certified athletic training or chiropracty, as well as careers in health and wellness or strength and conditioning. The sport management specialization prepares you to work in the business of sport at any level from local recreational leagues to professional teams. Whichever direction you choose, you'll have the opportunity to learn from expert faculty who are nationally recognized for their work and have a wealth of professional connections. You will also benefit from a 12-week internship experience, which will equip you with invaluable real-world experience that will set you apart after graduation.

Prepare for a career in the business of sport or the science of human movement as a kinesiology and sport management major.


Degrees & Offerings

Kinesiology and Sport Management (B.S.)

Bachelor’s
  Vermillion Main Campus

The kinesiology and sport management major sets you up for careers or further education in the business of sport and the science of human movement. You'll specialize in either exercise science or sport management so you can pursue your unique interests and career goals.

View Curriculum

Kinesiology & Sport Management: Exercise Science (B.S.)

Bachelor’s
  Vermillion Main Campus

Kinesiology & Sport Management: Sport Management (B.S.)

Bachelor’s
  Vermillion Main Campus

Program Details

Undergraduate

College

Department

Contact

Admissions

Known For Excellence

With qualities like small class sizes, specialized programs and incredible student opportunities, USD is not your typical university. What makes us unique is what makes your education exceptional.

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.

As a kinesiology and sport management student, you'll get a full semester of real-world experience by the time you graduate. Through your internship, you'll gain invaluable experience, networking opportunities and knowledge about your industry.

Our program has the connections to place interns in hundreds of locations nationally and internationally. Here are just a few examples of fields and settings where our students have completed their internships.

  • Institute for Athletic Medicine – Burnsville, Minnesota
  • North Texas Professional Golf Association – Dallas, Texas
  • Avera Sports Institute – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  • Omaha Storm Chasers – Omaha, Nebraska
  • University of Hawaii Strength and Conditioning – Honolulu, Hawaii
  • Daktronics – Toronto, Ontario
  • Milwaukee Milkmen Minor League Baseball – Franklin, Wisconsin

USD Young Professionals of Exercise and Sport

USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including the USD Young Professionals of Exercise and Sport (YPES).

This organization is open to all kinesiology and sport management majors, as well as others interested in careers related to exercise and sport. You'll get to connect with other kinesiology and sport management students, attend leadership panels with professionals in the field, tour sport performance facilities off campus, network with industry leaders, plan events for the community and more.

Explore Student Organizations

A unique part of your USD education is access to undergraduate research opportunities. As a kinesiology and sport management student at USD, you will have the chance to explore your interests and conduct innovative research with the support of professors who care about your success. Grants and travel funding are available through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Our exercise science program offers an integrated research component. We also collaborate with other university departments to further outside experiences with research.

  • Our facility includes a $100,000 biomechanics laboratory that provides state-of-the-art equipment for student research:
  • BodPod for accurately measuring body composition
  • Portable New Leaf Metabolic Cart
  • Woodway Pro High-Speed Treadmill
  • Computerized Bertec Posturography Plate
  • Vicon 3D Motion Analysis Camera System with AMTI Force Plates and Delsys Wireless EMGs

In addition to gaining real-world experience through an internship, the Division of Kinesiology & Sport Management will connect you with other professional opportunities that expand your education.

Our exercise science students can attend the National Strength and Conditioning Association state clinic and the American College of Sports Medicine regional clinic. Our sport management students have the opportunity to participate in a Marketing Case Study competition held at the University of South Carolina, as well as a Mock Trial held at the USD Law School. Plus, with a large alumni network and a number of industry connections, we can help you access volunteering and employment opportunities so you can get a variety of real-world experiences beyond your internship. 

Departments & Facilities

Explore the departments, facilities and centers that contribute to your education in kinesiology and sport management
Student with Stethoscope Taking Another Students Blood Pressure.

Kinesiology & Sport Management

The Division of Kinesiology & Sport Management offers some of the most popular programs at USD. Home to state-of-the-art technology and nationally-recognized faculty, our division provides students with the networking connections, resources and research opportunities they need to progress in or launch careers in the business and science of movement and sport.

Faculty & Staff

Get to know your professors in the Division of Kinesiology & Sport Management. Our faculty are experts in their field, contributing research and scholarship in legal liability in sport, risk management in sport and athletics, the role of organizational behaviors in creating more inclusive sport and physical activity spaces, the relationship between gait performance and health disparities, and more.
Bio Image for Faculty Member Robin Wiebers

Robin Wiebers

Associate Dean, SOE/Lecturer
Bio Image for Faculty Member Amanda Anderson

Amanda Anderson

Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Steven Anderson

Steven Anderson

Instructor

Specialty

Exercise Physiology
Strength & Conditioning
Coaching
Bio Image for Faculty Member Jonathon Becker

Jonathon Becker

Instructor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Wendy Johnson

Wendy Johnson

Instructor

Specialty

Fitness, Health, Wellness, Sport Management
Faculty Default

Nancy Reemts

Senior Secretary
Bio Image for Faculty Member Hyung Suk Yang

Hyung Suk Yang

Assistant Professor
View All Faculty & Staff
Two Students Planning an Event Inside the DakotaDome

Hands-on Learning

In USD's kinesiology and sport management program, your learning will extend far beyond the classroom.


We offer you a variety of experiential, hands-on learning opportunities so you can set yourself up for success after graduation. Some examples of experiences you can look forward to include conducting research in our biomechanics laboratory, gaining 480 hours of experience in your industry through an internship, organizing community events and making professional connections through our large network of alumni. 

Students Working in the Biomechanics Laboratory

Study What Interests You Most

Our program is highly customizable, giving you the option to choose between the exercise science specialization and the sport management specialization. You also have the opportunity to tailor the curriculum to your career interests. From the classroom to the stadium to the biomechanics laboratory, you'll find opportunities to pursue your interests and carve your unique path.

Students at a Networking Event

Make Connections. Build Your Community

Our program offers a vibrant community for kinesiology and sport management students. Through the Young Professionals of Exercise & Sport student organization, you can connect with your peers while exploring unique professional experiences and gaining insights into your industry.

Tuition & Costs

USD offers low tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students, as well as scholarships, financial aid and employment opportunities to help make your education even more affordable.
SD Residents, SD Advantage* & Child of Alumni
Out-of-State
Tuition (30 cr.)
9432
12942
Fees (30 cr.)
1659
1659
Books (estimate)
1200
1200
Housing
4890
4890
Food Service
4194
4194
Total

* SD Advantage: The in-state rate is available to new undergraduate students who are residents of South Dakota, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas (starting Summer 2024), Minnesota (starting Summer 2024), Missouri (starting Summer 2024), Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming and children of alumni of USD.

More About Tuition & Costs

This is an estimated annual cost. Other factors may change the cost of tuition.

Undergraduate Tuition & Costs

Learn more about tuition and fees for undergraduate students and see how your out-of-pocket costs at USD compare to those at other colleges and universities.

Financial Aid

Navigating options for how to pay for college can be challenging, but you are not alone. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education even more affordable.

Scholarships

USD awards nearly $9.5 million in scholarships each year. View our scholarships to see which ones you may qualify for and how you can apply.

 

Hear from a USD Alum

Success story Michael Bartos smiling.
The Kinesiology and Sport Management program at USD was instrumental in giving me real life management skills that carried over into my career. The program challenges you to understand and retain the knowledge of subject areas rather than simply achieving a letter grade. The collaboration and hands on experience helps you discover skills and traits you might not have known you had.

Michael Bartos

B.S. Kinesiology and Sport Management, Sport Management '18
President & CEO, Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce

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