Students develop a strong background in kinesiology principles and conduct and disseminate research within an interdisciplinary curriculum.
Kinesiology
Program Overview
The kinesiology doctoral program provides advanced training in kinesiology principles with an emphasis on conducting rigorous research. Students are prepared in theory, research, and practical application in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science. Students learn global marketable skills, such as synthesizing and applying research, as well as discipline-specific marketable skills, such as creating exercise-focused best practices for preventable diseases and evidence-based decision-making in a rapidly changing sport services context. Graduates are highly qualified for employment opportunities in both industry and academic settings.
Course Work
The doctoral program requires the successful completion of coursework, a comprehensive exam, and 18 credit-hours of dissertation coursework, including a dissertation proposal and defense. Doctoral students will complete the 12-credit research core courses in an online modality (e.g., research methods, statistics, doctoral seminar). Dissertation credits allow for two semesters of full-time enrollment to ensure students have sufficient time to dedicate to the dissertation, under the mentorship of research-active faculty.
Students have opportunities to gain hands-on experience in research labs or field-based sites and present their research at regional and national conferences under faculty supervision. The degree can be completed in three years for a full-time student. Students are paired with a doctoral advisor upon entry to ensure timely degree progression and dissertation completion.
| DEGREE | CONCENTRATION | COURSEWORK | DISSERTATION | TOTAL HOURS | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEGREE Ph.D. | CONCENTRATION Exercise Science (Entering with a bachelor's degree) | COURSEWORK 60 hours | DISSERTATION 18 hours | TOTAL HOURS 78 hours | LOCATION San Marcos |
DEGREE Ph.D. | CONCENTRATION Exercise Science (Entering with a master's degree) | COURSEWORK 36 hours | DISSERTATION 18 hours | TOTAL HOURS 54 hours | LOCATION San Marcos |
For more information on online programs, certifications, and international restrictions, visit our Application Policy Information page.
Program Details
The program equips graduates with competitive skillsets through advanced training and rigorous research. Alumni will have a wide variety of career options available to them health and sport-related industries, government, and academia. Students also have opportunities to present their research at professional conferences, under the guidance of a faculty member, which provides opportunities to develop professionally and make connections with students and faculty attendees from both within and outside the Texas State University system.
Program Mission
The mission of the kinesiology doctoral program is to create and disseminate knowledge that informs evidence-based practice in the discipline. Program goals are to:
- provide a high-quality, relevant, and accessible degree program
- train students to meet economic, ethical, and scientific demands among the multifaceted academic and industry-related health and performance professions
- promote competitive employability of graduates in the rapidly changing, contemporary kinesiology job market
Career Options
Graduates are prepared to meet the leadership and research needs of the exercise, health, and sports industries, and scientific organizations. Graduates of the program’s comprehensive, interdisciplinary focus will be strong, marketable candidates for employment in health and sport-related industries. Career options include faculty positions in higher education in departments of kinesiology or related field (teaching and research); research positions at major corporations such as Gatorade Sports Science Institute, Nike, and PepsiCo, and research positions at federal, state, and local health-related institutions such as the National Institutes of Health.
Program Faculty
Program faculty are leaders in the field (e.g., past President of Texas chapter of American College of Sports Medicine, past President of American Kinesiology Association). They are nationally recognized in professional organizations and high-quality publications. Faculty also demonstrate expertise in distance learning, graduate education, and student mentoring. Program faculty have extensive expertise in kinesiology and various sub-discipline areas including:
- neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and performance physiology
- strength and conditioning
- biomechanics
- motor behavior
- psychology of physical activity
- exercise prescription
- sports coaching education
- sport facility management
- sport administration and leadership
- adaptive sport
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
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Application Deadlines
| DEADLINES | U.S. CITIZEN | INTERNATIONAL |
|---|---|---|
DEADLINES Fall - Priority | U.S. CITIZEN February 1 | INTERNATIONAL February 1 |
DEADLINES Fall - Standard | U.S. CITIZEN August 1 | INTERNATIONAL July 1 |
DEADLINES Spring - Priority | U.S. CITIZEN September 1 | INTERNATIONAL September 1 |
DEADLINES Spring - Standard | U.S. CITIZEN November 1 | INTERNATIONAL October 1 |
Priority Deadline: Ensures full consideration for admission and eligibility for certain funding opportunities, including scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships, and guarantees that your application will be considered in the initial review.
Standard Deadline: Represents the last day a complete application can be submitted, but does not guarantee admission consideration. After the priority deadline, applications are reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis until the program is full, at which point, applications will close.
For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international webpages.
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Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
Entering With a Bachelor's Degree Only
- Baccalaureate degree in kinesiology; exercise science; sport, recreation, or fitness management; or a closely related discipline from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- a minimum 3.25 overall GPA or a minimum 3.25 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
Entering with a Master's Degree
- Baccalaureate degree in kinesiology; exercise science; sport, recreation, or fitness management; or a closely related discipline from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- Master's degree in kinesiology; exercise science; sport, recreation, or fitness management; or a closely related discipline from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a U.S. master’s degree. Master’s degrees following a three-year bachelor’s degrees may not be equivalent; please contact Graduate Admissions if you are unsure.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores. -
Documents & Other Requirements
- resume/CV outlining education, work experience, scholarships/grants, publications/presentations, and other accomplishments
- statement of purpose outlining the applicant’s personal background, interest in this degree, research experiences, and career goals and potential departmental faculty member that would serve as their mentor for the doctoral degree
- three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s skill and potential in this degree program
- an interview may be conducted with semifinalists if deemed appropriate by the department
Review important information about documents.