Required Credit Hours/Tuition and Fees
- 30
- Visit the Paying for College website for detailed tuition information
Curriculum
Students may begin in the fall, spring or summer semesters. Due to the versatility of the program, students can complete the program in as little as one year. However, students typically take four to five semesters to complete their degree. Students can choose either the thesis or non-thesis option.
Thesis Option-30 hours; Non-Thesis Option-30 hours
Required Courses (15 hours)
KIN 501 Exercise Psychology: Provides an in-depth analysis of psychosocial factors related to preventive and rehabilitative exercise behavior.
KIN 502 Sport Psychology: Explores the psychological factors influencing participation patterns and performance in sport, and effects of sport upon psychological responses.
KIN 503 Sport Sociology: Provides an in-depth analysis of the interaction between physical activity and society including the social and cultural processes and institutions which influence, and are influenced by physical activity.
KIN 506 Exercise and Sport Psychology for Special Populations: Provides an in depth analysis of the biological, psychological, social, environmental, and political factors that are related to successful application of exercise and sport psychology principles with special populations (e.g., injured, youth, differently abled).
KIN 509 Research Methods in Kinesiology: Prepare students to read, understand, and evaluate research in the field of kinesiology.
Thesis Option (15 hours)
KIN 599 Thesis in Kinesiology: Students selecting the thesis track must earn a minimum of three credit hours. This course may be repeated for a maximum of six hours.
Electives (9-12 credit hours) It is recommended that thesis students choose a statistics course to fulfill one elective requirement in consultation with their advisor. Options for statistics courses include PBHE 520 and PSYC 520.
The thesis option is ideal for students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in sport psychology and exercise psychology related fields. Students will learn research processes and investigate the impact of psychological factors in sport and/or exercise. Students will have opportunities to present at professional conferences and publish in scientific journals. Students pursuing the thesis option will typically take two academic years to complete the coursework and research thesis. The student and faculty advisor will match thesis and coursework with the goals of the student to provide an exceptional learning experience.
Admission to a graduate program in kinesiology does not guarantee the opportunity to complete a thesis. Students choosing to complete a thesis must do the following:
- Meet with the professor(s) with whom you would like to work, to discuss your research interests
- Submit a letter of interest to the professor(s) with whom you would like to work. Please use this form to guide your letter.
- Submit an example of your writing to the professor(s) with whom you would like to work
Faculty will choose thesis students based on a combination of the students potential for success, a match in research interests between the faculty member and the student, as well as the availability of the faculty member.
Non-Thesis Option (15 hours)
The non-thesis option is for students who are not interested in pursuing a doctoral degree.
KIN 598 Final Semester in Exercise and Sport Psychology: This course is intended for non-thesis students to complete their final project. The course will help each student navigate through project design and implementation.
Electives (12 credit hours)
Electives
KIN 504 Counseling Skills for Sport Psychology: The course will follow a scientist-practitioner model with an emphasis on theories grounded in counseling and performance psychology and the practical application of said theories.
KIN 505 Psychology of Coaching: Focuses on using best practices in coaching based on research and readings by those in the field.
KIN 507 Physical Activity Promotion: Designed to explore practical and theory-based strategies for increasing physical participation and adherence among various populations.
KIN 508 Professional Standard and Ethics in Sport Psychology: This course will deal with ethical issues within the field of applied sport psychology.
KIN 511 Fundamental of Exercise and Fitness: This course will help students develop knowledge, skills, and abilities regarding exercise and fitness so they can incorporate exercise into their own lives and promote an active lifestyle to others.
KIN 550 Selected Topics in Kinesiology: Analysis of reports, current problems, trends, and research in exercise science. Repeatable up to 12 hours at discretion of advisor, provided no topic is repeated.
KIN 555 Internship in Exercise Physiology: Individualized planned experience in agency, organization, or institution appropriate to student's area of professional interest.
KIN 580 Readings in Kinesiology: Supervised reading in selected topics.
