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) focuses on the mechanisms, prevention, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. The primary emphasis is on biomechanical considerations related to exercise and 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 faculty to pursue research in the areas of biomechanics of lower extremity function, footwear biomechanics, and the biomechanics of injury mechanisms and injury prevention.

The exercise physiology concentration (Master of Science) involves the study of the acute and chronic effects of exercise on the human body. Master’s students may elect to do a 6-credit thesis, which is recommended for those intending to pursue a doctorate in the field. 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. 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 studentsapply for PhD programs after completing master’s degree requirements and aspire to careers as faculty members at the university level.

Biomechanics Concentration (MS) - Required courses:
All master’s students in Biomechanics must complete the following courses during their 30-credit hour program of study:
KNS 508 - Research Methods (3)
KNS 513 - Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury (3)
KNS 515 - Qualitative Analysis of Movement in Sport and Exercise (3)
KNS 531 - Biomechanics (3)
KNS 602 - Research Seminar (1) – taken two times
KNS 634 - Advanced Methods and Instrumentation in Biomechanics (3)
Kinesiology elective - one additional 3 hour Kinesiology course

**NOTE: If you select the Thesis option you must take a statistics course approved by your advisor

Exercise Physiology Concentration (MS) - Required courses:
All Master’s students in Exercise Physiology must complete the following courses during their 30-credit hour program of study:
KNS 508 - Research Methods (3)
KNS 532 - Exercise Physiology (3)
KNS 565 - Advanced Physiology of Exercise (3)
KNS 567 - Exercise Testing and Prescription (3)
KNS 602 - Research Seminar (1) – taken two times
KNS 635 - Physical Activity and Positive Health (3)
Kinesiology elective- one additional 3 hour Kinesiology course

*highly recommended for students interested in cardiac rehabilitation
** NOTE: If you select the Thesis option you must take a statistics course approved by your advisor (Social Work 605 or Statistics 531 are recommended)

Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior Concentration (MS) - Required courses:
The master’s degree concentration in sport psychology and motor behavior has a great deal of flexibility that allows students to take courses that best suit their individual professional goals and interests. Students are required to take 30 hours, with at least 20 of those hours comprised of 500 or 600 level courses. A minimum of 15 hours must be selected from the following list of courses:
KNS 490 - Psychology of Coaching (3) (must be taken for graduate credit)
KNS 533 - Psychology of Sport (3)
KNS 534 - Motor Behavior and Skill Acquisition (3)
KNS 535 - Health and Exercise Psychology (3)
KNS 536 - Expert Performance in Sports (3)
KNS 538 - Professional Practice Issues in Kinesiology (3)
KNS 543 - Women, Sport and Culture (3)
KNS 633 - Advanced Sport Psychology (3)

Additional courses may be selected from either kinesiology or other departments, with the advisor’s approval. In addition, if a student takes any 400-level classes in the graduate catalog, the student must consult with the instructor regarding the additional class requirements needed to earn graduate credit. The non-thesis option, which consists of 30 hours and a written comprehensive exam, is designed for graduates seeking positions as practitioners (e.g., teachers, coaches, athletic trainers, etc.). The thesis option, which consists of 24 hours of course work and a 6-hour thesis (KNS 500), is recommended for students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. degree after graduating and is available only upon consultation with and approval by the student’s advisor.

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Kinesiology Major, MS