Graduate Catalog: Kinesiology Program

Philosophy & Goals || Program Features || Program Goals || Admission Requirements || Program of Study || Sequencing of Courses

Chairperson: Martin A. Donahue, Ph.D., A.T.C.

Philosophy and Goals

Through course work and active engagement in research, the master’s degree in Kinesiology offers students the opportunity to study the neuromuscular, metabolic, biomechanical, biochemical, pharmacologic, physiologic, and behavioral components of human movement. Graduates have the opportunity to apply expertise in such health related fields as fitness, biomechanics, and exercise physiology, within medical, industrial, and educational settings. The M.S. in Kinesiology will expose students to leading edge technology, which they can use to creatively design research projects, develop exercise prescriptions for general health and wellness, and to improve fitness and performance in a variety of populations.

Program Features

The M.S. in Kinesiology offers two tracks: coaching/teaching or exercise science/wellness. The coaching/teaching track meets the needs of teachers and coaches and is designed to serve secondary school teachers who desire to earn ACT 48 credits and earn an M.S. degree along the way (whether physical education teachers or otherwise). The exercise science/wellness track responds to science-oriented teachers or health professionals who may be interested in athletic training, coaching, continued graduate study in exercise science or sports medicine. Students in either track can select a thesis or non-thesis option. The thesis option is available for students interested in conducting original research, who may have interest in further graduate studies. The non-thesis option is available for students more interested in clinical application of health, fitness, and exercise techniques.

The M.S. in Kinesiology places students in a unique position to respond to the challenges in health care delineated in Healthy People 2010 and the American Heart Association CV Health Guidelines (i.e., increase the number of adults who are at a healthy weight; decrease the number who are obese; achieve and maintain a healthy eating pattern, a normal blood pressure, and a desirable blood cholesterol level).

The M.S. in Kinesiology is a 33-credit program requiring 11 credits in core Kinesiology courses, 9 credits in the research sequence and 12 credits in a specialization area. In addition to the required courses, the candidate may choose to complete and defend an original research project or the non-thesis option. Students, after consultation with the chairperson, will be assigned a member of the Health and Physical Education faculty as a mentor. The mentor and two other committee members will work with the candidate on an individual basis throughout the research thesis project.

Program Goals

1. The M.S. in Kinesiology will expose students to leading edge technology that they can use to creatively design research projects as well as exercise prescriptions for wellness and athletics to improve fitness, performance, and health.
2. The M.S. in Kinesiology (coaching/teaching and exercise science/wellness tracks) will produce graduates with a unique combination of areas of expertise. Graduates will be poised to apply this expertise in academic, clinical, fitness, and health care facilities.

 

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the M.S. in Kinesiology program, potential candidates must submit evidence of:

1. A completed application form and fee.
2. A bachelor’s degree in either nutrition or exercise science, athletic training, or physical education, or a related field. Individuals with other degrees are encouraged to apply with the understanding that they may be required to take undergraduate courses as prerequisites to satisfy the departmental admissions committee.
3. Satisfactory undergraduate academic record.
4. Satisfactory performance on Miller’s Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
5. Satisfactory completion of an undergraduate Anatomy and Physiology course.
6. Satisfactory completion of an undergraduate Kinesiology course.
7. Satisfactory completion of an undergraduate Exercise Physiology course.
8. Two letters of reference from prior faculty and/or professionals in a Kinesiology or related field.
9. A personal statement identifying career goals congruent with the purposes of the program.

Program of Study

Research Core Courses (6 to 9 credits):

P ED/N D 590	Research Methodology	3
OR
P ED/P A 580	Epidemiology/Research Methods	3
P ED/N D 591	Statistical Analysis	3
P ED 595	Thesis	3

Discipline Core Courses (12 credits):

P ED 502	Exercise Testing and Prescription	3
P ED XXX	Anatomy and Physiology I	3
P ED/N D 574	Exercise Physiology	3
P ED XXX	Motor Learning/Behavior	3

Specialization Electives – Coaching/Teaching (12 credits)

P ED/N D 502	Kinesiology	3
P ED/N D 549	Sports Nutrition	3
PSY 521	Social Psychology	3
P ED/N D 509	Principles of Strength and Conditioning	3
PSY 514	Human Development	3
EDUC 554	Contemporary Learning Theories	3

Specialization Electives – Exercise Science/Wellness (12 credits)

PSY 508	Biological Bases of Behavior	3
P ED/N D 510	Kinesiology	3
P ED/PUB 512	Grantsmanship Process	3
N D 513	Exercise and Aging	3
P ED/GER 520	Psychological Perspectives on the Aging Process	3
P ED/N D 530	Health Promotion	3
N D 575	Nutrition and Exercise for Weight Management	3
P ED 599	Independent Study/Research	3

Non-thesis option includes 6 credits of electives in lieu of 3 credit P ED 595 sequence

Sequencing of Courses

Fall (Year One)

P ED/N D 590	Research Methodology	3
P ED/N D 574	Exercise Physiology	3
	Specialization Elective	3

Spring (Year One)

P ED/N D 591	Statistical Analysis	3
P ED 502	Exercise Testing and Prescription	3
P ED XXX	Motor Learning/Behavior	3

Fall (Year Two)

P ED/P A 522	Anatomy and Physiology	3
	Specialization Elective	3
	Specialization Elective	3

Spring (Year Two)

P ED/P A 522	Specialization Elective	3
	Specialization Elective – Non-thesis option	3
P ED 595	Thesis	1

Summer (Year Two)

P ED 595

Thesis completion

2

* The sequence above would allow a student who enrolls on a full-time basis to complete the program in two years. However, the program is also available to part-time students who may elect to take only one or two courses each semester.

Kinesiology Program Courses