Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies

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Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies website

Zan Gao, Department Head
Jared M. Porter, Associate Department Head
Steven N. Waller, Associate Department Head
Angela Wozencroft, Director of Graduate Studies

Professors
Crouter, S., PhD – Tennessee
Gao, Z., PhD – Louisiana State
Hardin, R.L., PhD – Tennessee
Porter, J., PhD – Louisiana State
Thompson, D.L. (Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School), PhD – Virginia
Waller, S.N., PhD – Michigan State
Zhang, S., PhD – Oregon

Associate Professors
Becker, K., PhD – Tennessee
Bemiller, J.H., JD – Tennessee
Coe, D.P., PhD – Michigan State
Dzikus, L. (Director of Academic Affairs in CEHHS), PhD – Ohio State
Fitzhugh, E.C., PhD – Alabama
Graham, J.A., PhD – Texas (Austin)
Hornbuckle, L.M., PhD – Florida State
Love, A., PhD – Tennessee
Scott, J.L., PhD – Pennsylvania State
Strohacker, K., PhD – Houston
Trendafilova, S.A., PhD – Texas (Austin)
Webster, E.K., PhD – Auburn
Weinhandl, J.T., PhD – Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
Wozencroft, A.J., PhD – Clemson
Zakrajsek, R.A., PhD – West Virginia

Assistant Professor
Blanton, J., PhD – Michigan State
Ostendorf, D., PhD – Colorado
Wagoner, C., PhD – North Carolina (Chapel Hill)

Associate Professors of Practice
Barnicle, S., PhD – Idaho
Kutz Fleming, J., PhD – Pennsylvania State

Assistant Professors of Practice
Davis, B., PhD – Louisiana State
Griffiths, H., PhD – Clemson
Halvorson-Weaver, A., PhD – North Carolina
Tatarski, R., PhD – Ohio State

Clinical Associate Professor
Hillyer, S.J., PhD – Tennessee

Clinical Instructor
Webb, K.P., MS – Tennessee

Academic Advisors and Internship Coordinators
Brehan, J., (Internship Coordinator), MS – North Florida
Davis, L., (Advisor I), MS – Belmont
Jacobs, A. (Advisor II), MS – Austin Peay
Thomas, H., (Advisor II), MS – Arkansas Tech

Director of Physical Education and Activity Program
Smith, S.S., PhD – Tennessee

Lecturer
Hamilton, A.D. (Director of Field Education), MS – Tennessee
Huffman, L., PhD – Tennessee
Mazer, C.M., MS – Clemson
Trexler, C.J., MS – Clemson

The Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies prepares scholars, practitioners, and leaders in exercise, sport, and recreation by conducting cutting-edge research and maintaining a commitment to inclusive excellence, social justice, and local-to-global initiatives.

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available. These assistantships are open to students in the master’s and doctoral programs. Students interested in these opportunities should file their applications before February 1.

Admission

Applicants are required to complete the online application found on the Office of Graduate Admissions website. Applications from persons who have less than a 3.0 GPA will, in general, not be considered.

Note: The department’s requirements for the English certification are more stringent than those of the Graduate School.

Any person whose native language is not English must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum score of 550 on the paper test or 80 on the Internet-based test typically with a score of 20 on each of the sections of the test (reading, listening, writing, and speaking) is required for admission consideration. For the IELTS, a minimum score of 6.5 is required. The score must be no more than two years old from the requested date of entry. Applicants who have received a degree from an accredited U.S. institution within the past two years are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.

The following retention policy applies to all graduate students seeking a degree in the department.

• Graduate students are required to maintain an overall 3.0 GPA.
• Any student who falls below this standard will be advised in writing by the department head of the need to discuss the matter with his/her advisor.
• If a student’s overall GPA remains below 3.0 for a second semester, the student will have his/her degree status revoked.

Kinesiology Major - MS

Kinesiology is an academic discipline that involves the study of human movement, especially the role of physical activity and its impact on health, human performance, society, and quality of life. Three concentrations are offered at the master’s level: (1) Exercise Physiology, (2) Biomechanics, and (3) Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior. The study of kinesiology can lead to a variety of careers in teaching, research, and delivery of services. These careers are usually related to physical activity, fitness, health promotion, rehabilitation, sports medicine, athletic training, coaching, and sport psychology consulting. Positions are found in a variety of settings including schools, colleges and universities, public and private agencies, clinical environments, government, business and the military. A description of each program along with application for each follows.

The biomechanics concentration (Master of Science) involves the study of biomechanical implications to exercise and rehabilitation. This program area focuses on the mechanism, prevention, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. The emphases in courses taught in this area include biomechanical as well as medical considerations related to exercise and/or rehabilitation. Master’s students may elect to do a 6-credit thesis, which is recommended for those intending to pursue a doctorate in the field. Graduate students work with biomechanics/sports medicine faculty to pursue research in the areas of biomechanics of lower extremity function, footwear biomechanics, core stability, flexibility, and the biomechanics of injury mechanism and prevention.

The exercise physiology concentration (Master of Science) involves the study of the acute and chronic effects of exercise on the human body. Students may elect to do internships in cardiac rehabilitation at several area hospitals and are encouraged to take the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise Specialist exam upon graduation. Master’s students may elect to do a 6-credit thesis, which is recommended for those intending to pursue a doctorate in the field. Graduate students collaborate with an exercise physiology faculty member to perform research in the areas of physical activity assessment, metabolism, the health benefits of exercise, and body composition assessment.

The sport psychology and motor behavior concentration (Master of Science) involves the study of psychological theory relevant to the performance of sport and movement skills, systematic research of both a quantitative and qualitative nature, the application of psychological concepts to the performance and learning of physical activities in a variety of settings. Students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to critically examine the literature in sport psychology and motor behavior, provide psychological assistance for sport performers in a variety of forms (e.g., mental training, injury rehabilitation, skill refinement, stress management, etc.), and design evidence-based approaches for teaching movement skills. The majority of graduates of the sport psychology and motor behavior master’s concentration obtain positions in teaching, coaching, athletic training, and strength and conditioning when they finish their degrees. The remaining students apply for PhD programs after completing master’s degree requirements and aspire to careers as faculty members at the university level.

Recreation and Sport Management Major - MS

Two concentrations are offered at the master’s level in Recreation and Sport Management: Sport Management and Therapeutic Recreation. One of the primary features of the concentrations is an emphasis on the experiential education approach to academic preparation. Students graduating from this program will gain a tremendous amount of practical experience to accompany their academic degree.

The sport management concentration (Master of Science) provides the opportunity for students to have a quality academic experience and to gain professional experience as they prepare for careers in the sports industry. Students learn a combination of skills related to the planning, organizing, leading, and evaluating of any organization or department for which the primary product or service is sport related. Sport management has been a formally recognized degree program since 1983, providing students with the cutting-edge knowledge necessary for a successful career in the sport industry. The standard curriculum offers students a unique combination of course work and practicum experience in both the public and private sector. Graduates obtain positions in collegiate and other amateur sport settings, professional sports and sport business.

The therapeutic recreation concentration (Master of Science) prepares students for employment in management and leadership positions with agencies that deliver health care services. Students are successful in gaining employment in physical rehabilitation hospitals, children’s programs, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment centers, programs serving individuals with developmental disabilities, long-term care and assisted living facilities, and in community, outdoor and school-based therapeutic recreation programs. Graduates of the program fulfill the requirements for national certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and have been successful in completing the national exam. In light of the fact that many public, quasi-public and nonprofit recreation and therapeutic recreation employers are mandating professional certification as a condition of employment, obtaining certification is a must. Courses in the program prepare the student to do so. The primary purpose of certification is to ensure that personnel employed in therapeutic recreation meet high standards of performance. Practice exams and study sessions provide students with ample opportunities to successfully pass the certification examination of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation (NCTRC).

Kinesiology and Sport Studies Major - PhD

The PhD degree with a major in Kinesiology and Sport Studies is a research-intensive degree focused on preparing individuals in the areas of kinesiology and sport studies. Specific areas of specialization are biomechanics, exercise physiology, physical activity epidemiology, socio-cultural studies, sport management, and sport psychology and motor behavior. Most individuals graduating from this program go on to careers in higher education. The program can usually be completed in 3 years (2 years of course work and 1 year for the dissertation). For more information on the PhD degree with a major in Kinesiology and Sport Studies, see our website.

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