Degree Requirements

Master of Science

Master of Science in Health Behavior and Health Education with thesis. The Master of Science in Health Behavior and Health Education (MSHBHE) consists of at least thirty-six semester hours of graduate study. All students seeking the MSHBHE concentrate coursework and research in an area of departmental specialization. Of the nine semester hours of upper-division coursework allowed in the program, no more than six hours may be included in either the major or the minor. The minor field consists of six semester hours taken outside the department. A statistics course, a course in research methods, and the thesis course are required.

Master of Science in Kinesiology with thesis. The specializations in exercise physiology and movement science consist of at least thirty semester hours of graduate study; the sport management specialization consists of at least thirty-six hours. All students seeking the Master of Science in Kinesiology concentrate coursework and research in an area of departmental specialization. Of the nine semester hours of upper-division coursework allowed in the program, no more than six hours may be included in either the major or the minor. The minor field consists of six semester hours taken outside the department. A statistics course, a course in research methods, and the thesis course are required.

Master of Science in Kinesiology with report. The specializations in exercise physiology and movement science consist of at least thirty-three semester hours of graduate study; the sport management specialization consists of at least thirty-six hours. Students concentrate coursework and research in an area of departmental specialization. Of the nine semester hours of upper-division coursework allowed in the program, no more than six hours may be included in either the major or the minor. The minor field consists of six semester hours taken outside the department. A statistics course, a course in research methods, and the report course are required.

Master of Education

This degree program consists of at least thirty-six semester hours of graduate study. Students concentrate coursework in an area of departmental specialization or pursue a general program in either kinesiology or health behavior and health education. Of the nine semester hours of upper-division coursework allowed in the program, no more than six hours may be included in either the major or the minor. All specializations require at least twenty-one semester hours of approved coursework within the department and six hours outside the department. To complete any of the specializations, satisfactory performance in an approved culminating experience is required.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree designed to prepare students as scholars in a designated area of specialization.

During the student’s first year in the program, the student works with his or her adviser to prepare a program of study, which must be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee. Prior to admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree, the student must successfully complete the comprehensive examination covering the area of specialization. The student must present the dissertation proposal to the Graduate Studies Committee. The dissertation must represent an independent scholarly investigation of a problem pertinent to the field of kinesiology or health behavior and health education. It deals with basic questions in the area of specialization and must constitute a scholarly contribution to the body of knowledge in the profession.

The PhD programs in health behavior and health education and kinesiology are outlined below. More detailed descriptions and requirements for each of the specializations are available from the graduate adviser.

Health Behavior and Health Education

The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in health behavior and health education is designed to allow the student to develop a Program of Work appropriate to his or her research interests. The program includes at least fifteen semester hours of core coursework in health behavior and health education, twelve hours of statistics and research methods, and six hours of supporting coursework outside the department.  Students must also complete research experience that includes at least eight hours of independent study, four hours of departmental seminar, and eighteen hours in the dissertation courses.

Kinesiology

The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in kinesiology involves specialization in exercise physiology, movement science, sport management, or interdisciplinary sport studies. Exercise physiology involves in-depth study in human performance or exercise biochemistry. Movement science students concentrate in biomechanics; motor control and learning; clinical movement science; sport movement science; or developmental science: pediatrics and aging. Sport management involves training students to undertake research in the management and marketing of sport organizations and enterprises. Interdisciplinary sport studies involves coursework in at least one academic department on campus other than the Department of Kinesiology and Health Behavior and Health Education; the curriculum includes sport history, exercise history, sport and gender, and other sociocultural aspects of sport.

Each student completes coursework in preparation for a comprehensive examination in one of these specializations. The program also includes a departmental elective taken outside the area of specialization; six semester hours of graduate coursework in statistics, biometry, or an appropriate area of mathematics; nine hours of supporting work outside the department; research experience that includes at least six hours of independent study; and eighteen hours in the dissertation courses.