Kinesiology, MS

Administrative Unit

The Office of Graduate Studies administers this program through the Human Performance faculty in the department of Human Performance, College of Health Science and Human Performance.

Program

The Master of Science in Kinesiology program is designed to extend students' understanding of the concepts, research, and theories related to the science of human development - kinesiology. Additionally, the program design recognizes students' desire to use such information to improve their professional competencies as physical educators, coaches, athletes, sport administrators, fitness program directors, and in other professions that are grounded in the discipline of kinesiology. The program is offered online.

Graduate students have an opportunity to focus on one of three interest areas within the discipline of Kinesiology:

  1. Exercise physiology;
  2. Psychology of exercise and sport; and
  3. Teaching, coaching, and administration.

Working with their faculty advisors, students are encouraged to design programs that meet their professional needs, goals, and interests.

As a partner in a UT System collaborative program, UT Permian Basin offers most graduate courses online. It is possible to complete the entire Master of Science in Kinesiology online through web-based courses.

 

Objectives

Regardless of students' area of interest and/or the course delivery mode, the following objectives should be met through the successful completion of the Master of Science in Kinesiology:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical bases of Kinesiology through oral and written expression.
  2. Discuss and describe the research literature related to the student's chosen interest area.
  3. Apply theoretical concepts from the research literature to the student's chosen profession.
  4. Design, implement, and complete a research or professional project.
  5. Develop a manuscript describing the results of a research or professional project suitable for submission to a professional journal.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Kinesiology graduate degree program must meet all admission requirements specified by the Office of Graduate Studies. Typically, students desiring to pursue a Master of Science in Kinesiology would possess a bachelor's degree with a major in Human Performance, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning, Coaching, Physical Education, or a related area. Individuals who do not hold such a degree may be required to complete leveling courses before to enrolling in certain Kinesiology graduate courses. Typically, such students must take an undergraduate anatomy and physiology course before taking the exercise science courses. The Graduate Acceptance Committee, comprised of the Department of Human Performance Graduate Faculty, will determine these leveling requirements, which will be specified in the student's acceptance letter. 

Regular Admission Status

 

Option 1

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Performance Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning, Coaching, Physical Education, or a related area.

GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours

Letter of intent (500-1000 words)

Option 2 

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Performance Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning, Coaching, Physical Education, or a related area.

completed a previous master's degree in any field. 

 

Conditional Admission Status

  • If a student has a GPA below 3.0 but not lower than 2.5 in the last 60 credit hours, entrance into the Kinesiology Program. 
  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university 
  • Two letters of reference, preferably a former professor or lecturer. 
  • A career goal statement.

If the student is conditionally admitted, he/she must earn a B grade or better in each course of his/her first 12 hours of coursework, including the first 6 hours of coursework.

Degree Requirements 

The Master of Science in Kinesiology degree may require a final project, a thesis, or extra courses for completion.

The total number of hours for the degree varies from 30 to 33 hours.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Exercise Science degree requires (a) the completion of twelve credit hours of core course requirements (4 courses); (b) 9 credit hours in an interest area (three courses); (c) elective hours; and (d) a final project or thesis. The total number of hours for the degree is 36.

Exercise Physiology

KINE 6360Advanced Exercise Physiology

3

KINE 6361Exercise Physiology Laboratory Methods-Procedures

3

KINE 6362Training And Conditioning Methods

3

KINE 6363Methods and Procedures for Coronary Heart Disease Risk Detection and Reduction

3

KINE 6364Heat Stress And Exercise

3

KINE 6370

3

KINO 6380

3

KINO 6382

3

Psychology of Exercise and Sport

KINE 6320Advanced Sport Psychology

3

KINE 6322Applied Sport Psychology

3

KINE 6323Advanced Psych Of Exercise

3

KINE 6340Sport And Society

3

Teaching, Coaching, and Administration

KINE 6380Analysis of Teaching and Coaching Behavior

3

KINE 6381Curricular Innovations

3

KINE 6382Administration of Physical Education and Athletics

3

KINO 6354

3

KINE 6322Applied Sport Psychology

3

KINE 6370

3

Thesis and Non-Thesis Options

In addition to the various interest area choices, students may select either a thesis option or a non-thesis (project) option. Although there are differences between the 2 options, either option provides the student with an opportunity to work with a graduate faculty advisor to develop a proposal that describes what the student intends to do. The proposal is presented to and approved by the student's Graduate Committee and, once completed, defended by the student in an oral presentation.

I. Thesis Option. Students who select the thesis option will complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of course work plus a 6-semester credit hour thesis. The master's thesis consists of research in the application of principles and theories of human movement to some problem of interest. The research is usually a laboratory or field experiment requiring the testing of hypotheses and the collection and analysis of data.

II. Project Option. Students who select the project option will complete a minimum of 33 semester credit hours of course work plus a three-semester credit hour research project. Projects can take many forms. While they may involve hypothesis testing and the collection and analysis of data, master's projects are more likely to take the form of exploratory, field studies, secondary data analysis, and survey research. Acceptable projects also include such activities as the construction of physical education curriculum, the development of online instructional materials, and the design of employee wellness programs.

Both thesis and non-thesis options require completion of the core course requirements and at least 9 semester credit hours in one of the 3 emphasis areas.