Graduate Degree

Kinesiology - Doctor of Philosophy

Program:
Kinesiology - Doctor of Philosophy
Plan Code:
KINESI_PHD
Program Level:
Graduate
Award Type:
Doctor of Philosophy
College:
College of Education
Department:
Kinesiology


Excerpt from the official Academic Programs Catalog:

Listed below are the approved requirements for the program from the official Academic Programs Catalog.
Students must consult their advisors to learn which specific requirements apply to their degree programs.


College of Education

Department of Kinesiology

Graduate Study
Kinesiology - Doctor of Philosophy

The primary objective of the doctoral degree program in kinesiology is to develop scholars who are competent in teaching, conducting research, and serving in leadership roles in various educational, governmental, public, or private agencies.  In addition to developing expertise in an area of specialization, students must be able to interpret and integrate information from related academic disciplines.  Individualized programs of study may be developed, taking into consideration students' academic needs and professional goals.

Each doctoral student in kinesiology chooses one of four areas of concentration:
    Athletic Injury and Rehabilitation
    Cognitive and Motor Neuroscience
    Exercise Physiology
    Psychosocial Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity

While enrolled in the doctoral degree program in kinesiology, students are expected to present at least one paper at a professional meeting.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Education, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Ordinarily, to be considered for admission into the doctoral program, a master’s degree is required; however, in cases of exceptional scholarly promise, a student may enter the doctoral program following the completion of the undergraduate degree. Factors considered in admissions decisions include (a) clarity of applicant’s goals and research interests; (b) relationship between the program and the applicant’s goals and research interests; (c) previous academic experience and performance as indicated by transcripts from previous degrees (a competitive cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale); (d) TOEFL for international students; (e) evidence of research competence such as a master’s thesis, senior research project, or other research experience; and (f) three letters of recommendation. An interview with a committee of faculty members is strongly recommended.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Kinesiology

Breadth requirement. Students who have completed a previous degree in kinesiology, or similarly named program such as physical education or exercise science, must complete a minimum of 6 credits of kinesiology courses at the 800-900 level outside of the student’s area of concentration.  Students who have not completed a previous degree in kinesiology must complete a minimum of 9 credits of kinesiology courses at the 800-900 level representing at least two different disciplinary areas (adapted physical activity, athletic injury and rehabilitation, biomechanics, exercise physiology, growth and motor development, psychosocial aspects of sport and physical activity) outside of the student’s major area of concentration. Courses used to satisfy the breadth requirement must be approved by the student’s guidance committee. Courses that are used to satisfy the requirements referenced in the area below titled Educational Inquiry and Research may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

The student must complete a minimum of 60 credits and meet the requirements specified below:

1. Educational Inquiry and Research
a. The following courses:
KIN 995 Research Practicum in Kinesiology 1 to 3
b. Complete 9 credits of 800-900 level research methods courses approved by the student's guidance committee.
2. Area of Concentration
A minimum of four courses at the 800–900 level totaling at least 12 credits in one of the four concentrations approved by the student's guidance committee referenced above.  At least 6 of the 12 credits must be in Kinesiology courses. Courses that are used to satisfy the requirements referenced in item 1. above may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
3. Related Studies
A cognate that consists of a minimum of three courses at the 400–900 level totaling 9 credits.  All 9 of the credits must be in courses outside the Department of Kinesiology and must be related to the student's concentration.  Both the cognate and the related courses must be approved by the student's guidance committee.
4. Successful completion of the research practicum.
5. Successful completion and defense of the dissertation. The dissertation must be in the student's concentration. Students may not earn more than 30 credits in KIN 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
6. Teaching
Competency in teaching the subject matter of the student's concentration to undergraduate students or to an outreach audience, as judged by the student's guidance committee.  This requirement may be met as part of a graduate teaching assistantship assignment.