Exercise and Sport Science
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ESS is a founding member of the American Kinesiology Association
Graduate Program: Ph.D. Specializations
- Exercise Physiology
- Motor Behavior (clnical biomechanics, motor control, motor learning, motor development)
- Sociohistorical Studies of Physical Activity
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Teaching and Teacher Education
A student selects a specialization from among those listed. Opportunities for integrated work between specializations are available and in some cases encouraged.
The Ph.D. degree is designed as a disciplinary degree for the development of research scholars. It encourages in-depth, specialized study with a strong research base leading to acquiring new knowledge and testing theory. The student selects a specialization for focused study (see below). The Ph.D. graduate is qualified to pursue a variety of careers within diverse academic and technical settings where highly developed research competencies are required.
Requirements
See the Graduate School catalog for the overall University requirements for the Ph.D. degree. The following requirements by the Department of Exercise and Sport Science may be more demanding than those of the Graduate School:
- Sixty hours of course work beyond the master's degree is a minimum requirement. Programs of study may require hours in excess of 60, depending on a student's background and the breadth and depth of his/her research interests. These hours are tailored to meet the particular academic goals of each student and include: (a) course work in a specialized knowledge base; and (b) course work in other areas of exercise and sport science and/or other departments. Students are encouraged to develop at least one secondary area of academic expertise in order to be qualified for a broader array of jobs upon graduation. Specific course requirements are subject to the recommendations of a student's Advisory Committee.
- After completion of 18 hours, a student's work is examined by means of the Preliminary Screening Review. This is an early review that permits counseling regarding the likelihood that a student can complete the program successfully.
- At least 70% of all course work must be at the 600 level or higher.
- There is a limit of 18 hours of transfer credit beyond the master's degree. Specific course transfers are subject to the recommendations of a student's Advisory Committee.
- The Department does not recognize summer session as part of the residency requirement for Ph.D. students. Two consecutive 16-week semesters of study in which a student is enrolled for a minimum of 9 hours of course work each term are needed to satisfy the residency requirement. Course work taken in summer sessions may, of course, be included in a student's program.
- A minimum of 12 hours of research tool course work (research methods, statistics, computer science, foreign language) is required of all students. Students lacking the desired research background in a master's program may be required to take additional work in this area.