Degree Requirements, Kinesiology
Graduate handbook information is updated and maintained by each program. Graduate handbooks are available within each program's office and online at https://utexas.box.com/v/UTAustinGraduateHandbooks. Please contact the program with concerns or questions.
Master of Science
Master of Science in Kinesiology with thesis. The specializations in exercise physiology and movement and cognitive rehabilitation science consist of at least 30 semester hours of graduate study; the sport management specialization consists of at least 36 hours. All students seeking the Master of Science in Kinesiology concentrate coursework and research in an area of departmental specialization. Six semester hours of upper-division coursework is allowed in the program of work. No more than six semester hours may be 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 33 semester hours of graduate study; the sport management specialization consists of at least 36 hours. Students concentrate coursework and research in an area of departmental specialization. Six semester hours of upper-division coursework is allowed in the program of work. No more than six semester hours may be 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 36 semester hours of graduate study. Students concentrate coursework in an area of departmental specialization or pursue a general program in kinesiology. Six semester hours of upper-division coursework is allowed in the program of work. No more than six semester hours may be taken outside the department. All specializations require at least 21 semester hours of approved coursework within the department. To complete any of the specializations, satisfactory performance in an approved culminating experience is required.
Master of Education in Kinesiology Option III degree program with a concentration in Sport Management. This degree program requires completion of 30 semester hours of coursework. Coursework is designed to cover the functional areas of sport management education and prepare students for managerial and executive positions within the sport and recreation industry. All courses are delivered in an asynchronous online format.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in kinesiology degree program involves specialization in exercise physiology, rehabilitation and movement science, or physical culture and sports studies. Exercise physiology involves in-depth study in basic and applied exercise physiology. Movement and cognitive rehabilitation science students concentrate in biomechanics; motor control and learning; clinical movement science; sport movement science; or developmental science: pediatrics and aging. Physical culture and sports studies involves coursework in sport history, sport management, 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 18 hours in the dissertation courses. More detailed descriptions and requirements for each of the specializations are available from the graduate advisor.
During the students' first year in the program, they work with their advisor 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. It deals with basic questions in the area of specialization and must constitute a scholarly contribution to the body of knowledge in the profession.