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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Kinesiology and Sport Studies Major, PhD
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 Return to: College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
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. The program can usually be completed in 3 years (2 years of course work and 1 year for the dissertation).
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Campus Option
Knoxville Campus Admissions Standards/Procedures
Students must complete a Master’s degree prior to admission into the program. Kinesiology Concentration
The PhD major in kinesiology and sport studies offers a concentration in kinesiology, which deals with the study of human movement. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of skills needed for high quality research and innovative teaching. Students are expected to become proficient in research methods within their respective areas of specialization. The program prepares students for postdoctoral or faculty positions in higher education, or positions in applied sport and clinical settings and has specializations in Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Physical Activity Epidemiology and Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior. Credit Hours Required
72 graduate credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree (At least 24 of these credit hours, exclusive of the dissertation, must be beyond the Master’s level) Required Courses
- Concentration (15 credit hours)
- For options, please consult with faculty members in the concentration/specialization
- Research (18 credit hours)
- For options, please consult with faculty members in the concentration/specialization
- Specialization (9 credit hours)
- For options, please consult with faculty members in the concentration/specialization
- Cognate (6 credit hours)
- Must come from an area related to and supportive of the concentration and specialization
Additional Course Requirements
- The above are viewed as minimum requirements and are subject to modification by the student’s committee.
- Specialization Options
- Biomechanics: The PhD specialization in biomechanics focuses on mechanisms, prevention, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and diseases. Doctoral students in the biomechanics specialization receive research training under the direct supervision of a faculty member in the areas of lower extremity injury mechanisms, rehabilitation, and prevention, effects of impact loading to lower extremity joints during dynamic movements, gait mechanics following total joint replacement, gait retraining using real-time feedback, and evaluation of medical orthoses and footwear. They gain instructional experience by teaching laboratory sections of undergraduate biomechanics and anatomy courses. Students take courses in biomechanics, and supporting coursework in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, statistics, and/or mathematics.
- Exercise Physiology: The PhD specialization in exercise physiology focuses on applied human physiology, and uses a systems approach to study the acute responses to exercise and the chronic adaptations to physical training. Doctoral students in the exercise physiology specialization gain hands-on experience in research by working under the direct supervision of a faculty member in the areas of physical activity assessment, metabolism, the health benefits of exercise, and body composition assessment. They also gain experience in instruction by teaching undergraduate laboratories under the mentorship of a faculty member. The supporting coursework (i.e. cognate) can be taken in a number of areas, including Nutrition, Statistics, or Nursing.
- Physical Activity Epidemiology: The PhD specialization in physical activity epidemiology examines how the burden of chronic disease at the population-level can be impacted through the frequency, intensity, type and duration of physical activity. Doctoral students will receive training in physical activity assessment techniques, research designs, field-based skills, and secondary data analysis. In addition, doctoral students will have the opportunity to learn geographic information system and statistical techniques as well as design community-based interventions to promote physical activity across the lifespan.
- Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior: The PhD specialization in sport psychology and motor behavior emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to course work and research as well as the development of students’ proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students are expected to obtain a significant grounding in the allied parent disciplines. Students must have completed all requirements for a master’s degree in kinesiology, physical education, psychology, sport studies, or a related field prior to beginning the doctoral program.
Non-Course Requirements
- Students must pass comprehensive exams and file admission to candidacy paperwork prior to taking dissertation hours.
- The doctoral committee approves the course of study.
Sport Studies Concentration
The PhD degree with a major in Kinesiology and Sport Studies offers a concentration in Sport Studies with areas of specialization in Socio-Cultural Studies and Sport Management. The program stresses an interdisciplinary approach to course work and research as students obtain a significant grounding in the allied, parent disciplines. The program primarily prepares students to obtain faculty or administration positions in higher education. Students receive training in research design and methodology and are expected to conduct research outside the requirements of the classroom. The program consists of 15 credit hours within the concentration, 18 credit hours of research courses, nine credit hours within the specialization and a minimum of six credit hours in an outside or cognate area.
Credit Hours Required
78 graduate credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree (at least 24 of these credit hours, exclusive of the dissertation, must be beyond the master’s level)
Required Courses
- Concentration (15 credit hours)
- Research (18 credit hours)
- Specialization (9 credit hours)
- Cognate (6 credit hours)
- Area related to and supportive of the concentration and specialization
Additional Course Requirements
The aforementioned are minimum requirements and are subject to modification by the student’s committee.
Non-Course Requirements
- Students must pass comprehensive exams and file admission to candidacy paperwork prior to taking dissertation hours.
- The doctoral committee approves the course of study.
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Return to: College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
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