Doctorate In Kinesiology

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in kinesiology prepares students to be scholarly researchers who generate new knowledge in the field of kinesiology and the skills to apply the existing scholarship to questions concerning the prevention, assessment, and treatment of motor difficulties, chronic diseases, and musculoskeletal injuries.

About The Program

The program’s interprofessional and multidisciplinary curriculum, as well as its research focus, incorporates basic and clinical science approaches to identify disease markers and mechanisms, as well as evidence-based interventions designed to prevent and treat specific health conditions such as chronic illnesses and injuries in vulnerable and at-risk populations comprising obese, older, and/or minority persons. This program builds and extends the Department of Kinesiology’s existing research, education, and community outreach initiatives in health and the human condition across the lifespan.

Career Opportunities

• Post-Doctoral Fellowship Positions
• Faculty Positions in Academia
• Positions in Industry
• Clinical Research Coordinator

Degree Options

BS or MS to PhD

Depending on the student's current academic progress, the student will choose from one of the two-degree options:

• BS to PhD
• MS to PhD

Tracks & Focus Areas

Both degree options will be customized in a specialized area of kinesiology, organized into three tracks:

• Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences
• Focus Options: Postural Control, Motor Development, Biomechanics, Sports Medicine, Adapted Physical Activity
• Applied Physiology
• Focus Options: Cardiovascular Physiology, Pulmonary Physiology, Adapted Physical Activity
• Physical Education
• Focus: Innovative, Technology-Driven Delivery Approaches for Teaching High-Quality Health and Physical Education

Degree Plan

Degree Requirements for Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Kinesiology

The degree requirements differ slightly depending on if a student enters the B.S. to Ph.D. program or the M.S. to Ph.D. program.

• B.S. – Ph.D. program: Requires 18 required course credit hours, 42 credit hours (minimum) of track electives, and 9 – 12 credit hours of dissertation (69 total credit hours minimum).
• M.S. – Ph.D. program: Requires 11 required course credit hours, 22 credit hours (minimum) of track electives, and 9 – 12 credit hours of dissertation (69 total credit hours minimum).

Required Courses (B.S. – Ph.D.)

• KINE 6300 Research Methods
• KINE 5305 Applied Statistics in Kinesiology, or KINE 5376 Introduction to Biostatistics
• 3 hours of advanced statistics OR Advanced Research Methods (course can be taken outside of the department).
• KINE 6293 Grant Writing
• KINE 6105 Laboratory Techniques in Kinesiology I
• KINE 6106 Laboratory Techniques in Kinesiology II
• KINE 6103 Professional Development
• 4 hours of KINE 6100 Seminar in Kinesiology (this is a 1-hour credit course that must be taken in a minimum of 4 different semesters).

Required Courses (M.S. – Ph.D.) KINE 5300 Research Methods

• 3 hours of advanced statistics OR Advanced Research Methods (course can be taken outside of the department).
• KINE 6293 Grant Writing
• KINE 6105 Laboratory Techniques in Kinesiology I
• KINE 6103 Professional Development
• 4 hours of KINE 6100 Seminar in Kinesiology (this is a 1-hour credit course that must be taken in a minimum of 4 different semesters).

Electives for Either Track

• KINE 6322 Metabolism & Exercise Biochemistry
• KINE 6326 Cardio circulatory Physiology of Exercise
• KINE 6327 Pulmonary Physiology of Exercise
• KINE 6340 Environmental Physiology of Exercise
• KINE 6328 Neuromuscular Physiology of Exercise
• KINE 5329 Strength & Conditioning
• KINE 5331 Obesity and Weight Management
• KINE 6338 Exercise Prescription for Special Populations
• KINE 6350 Applied Biomechanics
• KINE 6360 Fundamental Principles of Integrative Physiology
• KINE 6393 Physiology of Exercise Internship
• KINE 6394 Research in Kinesiology

Students in the B.S – Ph.D. and the M.S. – Ph.D. tracks MUST complete 9 – 12 credit hours of dissertation

Andrea Piacquadio / pexels

Why Choose Us?

• Ranked as a leading Kinesiology Graduate Program by the National Academy of Kinesiology
• 100% of graduates accepted post-doctoral fellowship or industry positions
• Nationally and internationally recognized research faculty
• State-of-the heart research on various aspects of Health and the Human Condition
• Diverse programs of study and areas of research focus
• In-depth classroom and laboratory instruction

Admission Requirements

Admission Standards for Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology

Faculty Sponsorship

Please note that all Ph.D. students (regardless of Bachelors – Ph.D. or Masters to Ph.D.) must be accepted by a faculty member based on faculty research/mentoring alignment in order to be accepted into the program:

Admissions Standards

Please make sure to follow the admissions standards that apply to your degree option.

Masters to Ph.D. option:

1. Master’s degree from a US accredited institution or an equivalent foreign institution.
2. GPA of 3.25 on all graduate work.
3. GRE Quantitative score of 150 and Verbal score of 150. Additionally, satisfactory Writing scores are required. If scores are below these standards the application will still be considered as the Department takes all components of the application into consideration.
4. A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, a minimum score of 40 on the TSE, a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS, or a minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 79 with sectional scores that meet or exceed 22 for the writing section, 21 for the speaking section, 20 for the reading section, and 16 for the listening section.
5. A resume or CV of the applicant (maximum of 2 pages). This should highlight the educational background of the applicant, work/volunteer history, awards, research experience, etc.
6. A Statement of Purpose (maximum of 2 pages). This should highlight the previous achievements and experiences of the applicant that have led to the decision to consider a Doctoral graduate degree in Kinesiology as well as the previous achievements that would qualify the applicant for admission into the Kinesiology Doctoral Program. The statement should also include future career goals following obtaining a Doctoral degree in Kinesiology.
7. Three (3) letters of reference. The Department accepts letters through email and/or postal mail.

Bachelors to Ph.D. Option:

1. Undergraduate degree from a US accredited institution or an equivalent foreign institution.
2. GPA of 3.5 and/or 3.5 GPA during the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
3. 3.5 GPA on all Kinesiology-related work.
4. GRE Quantitative score of 150 and Verbal score of 150. Additionally, satisfactory Writing scores are required. If scores are below these standards the application will still be considered as the Department takes all components of the application into consideration.
5. A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, a minimum score of 40 on the TSE, a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS, or a minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 79 with sectional scores that meet or exceed 22 for the writing section, 21 for the speaking section, 20 for the reading section, and 16 for the listening section.
6. A resume or CV of the applicant (maximum of 2 pages). This should highlight the educational background of the applicant, work/volunteer history, awards, research experience, etc.
7. A Statement of Purpose (maximum of 2 pages). This should highlight the previous achievements and experiences of the applicant that have led to the decision to consider a Doctoral graduate degree in Kinesiology as well as the previous achievements that would qualify the applicant for admission into the Kinesiology Doctoral Program. The statement should also include future career goals following obtaining a Doctoral degree in Kinesiology.
8. Three (3) letters of reference. The Department accepts letters through email and/or postal mail.