Jul 27, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Master of Science in Kinesiology

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Students should consult the General Regulations section of the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding Graduate School admission requirements, transfer credit, and other critical policies and procedures.

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Kinesiology offers advance study in the science of human physical activity, particularly as movement, exercise, psychology, and sport applied to health promotion and disease prevention. The mission of the Kinesiology program is to advance the discovery, development, interpretation, dissemination, and application of knowledge that relates the study of human movement and physical activity to human well-being. As members of the American Kinesiology Association (AKA), American Psychology Association (APA), Society of Physical Educators (SHAPE), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and the North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA). The Faculty at Troy University are committed to the process of learning in order to better prepare students entering the various fields of human movement.

This degree is ideal for:

  • Students who wish to continue their education in a doctoral program.
  • Students who wish to continue their education in a professional school such as medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.
  • Certified physical/health education teachers who wish to further their education in human movement.
  • Sport coaches who wish to continue their education to better prepare them for high school, collegiate or professional coaching.
  • Clinical sports psychologists

Prerequisite Requirements

Candidates for admission must hold a baccalaureate degree in Kinesiology, Psychology, or related field.

Admission Requirements

Unconditional Admission

  1. Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution. Students with a baccalaureate degree from an unaccredited or otherwise accredited institution should see Unaccredited or Otherwise Accredited Student Admission.
  2. Applicants must have an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale with the last 30 hours being at least a 3.0 GPA.
  3. All hours attempted in the term in which the 30 semester hours were reached will be used to calculate the grade point average.
  4. Applicants must also submit a statement of purpose (Cover) letter.

Conditional Admission

  1. Students not satisfying the unconditional admission requirements may be conditionally admitted to the program pending satisfactory completion of the first 9 semester hours with a 3.0 grade point average. Once the student has completed 9 semester hours with at least a 3.0 grade point average they will be granted unconditional admissions Students with a baccalaureate degree from an unaccredited or otherwise accredited institution should see Unaccredited or Otherwise Accredited Student Admission.
  2. Students not satisfying conditional admission requirements will be dropped from the program for one calendar year, after which time the student must petition for readmission.

Enrollment Start

Due to course prerequisites and program flow students will only be allowed to enroll at the program start. Students will only be admitted starting Term 1 for the Coaching, Exercise Physiology, Sports Psychology, and Strength and Conditioning concentrations. Exceptions to the start will need prior permission from the KHP graduate program coordinator.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 12 semester hours taken at another regionally accredited institution of higher learning, with a grade of “B” or better, can be applied toward the degree. These courses must be comparable to Troy University’s courses and must be approved by the KHP graduate faculty.

Degree Requirements

Successful completion of the courses listed below with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better and successful completion of the required comprehensive examination is necessary to fulfill requirements for the degree. If a student makes a “D” or “F” in a core or concentration course, the course must be retaken. If the student earns a “D” or “F” in an elective course, the course may be retaken, or another elective taken in its place. The student can satisfy the research component requirement by successfully completing KHP 6617  and KHP 6691  or PSY 6689  and PSY 6690  with a grade of “B” or better

Options

The Coaching, Exercise Physiology, Sports Psychology, & Strength and Conditioning concentrations are offered with a choice between a thesis and a non-thesis option. All students will begin the program in the non-thesis option, then at the discretion of the Graduate Faculty and Graduate Program Coordinator, students can be approved for the thesis option.

Thesis Option

The M.S. with a thesis is for those who wish to engage in research and are considering or planning on pursuing a Ph.D. (Many Ph.D. programs require completion of a master’s thesis.) For the non-thesis track, the student will not take the graduate comprehensive examination. The thesis track is a two-year academic plan and each student will begin their first semester in Term 1 of the academic year. The thesis track for all concentrations in the program is a total of 33 semester hours.

Non-thesis Option

This option prepares people for professional jobs by equipping them with knowledge of and providing them with an appreciation for the research process, so they can be a consumer of research. Students are required to complete an internship in their field of interest. For the non-thesis track, the student will also take the graduate comprehensive examination. The non-thesis track is a one-year academic plan and each student will begin their first semester in Term 1 of the academic year. The non-thesis track for all concentrations in the program is a total of 30 semester hours.

Students may choose one of the four areas of emphasis:

  • Coaching
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Sports Psychology
  • Strength and Conditioning

Required Core Courses (6-9 sh)

Option 1: 9 sh (Coaching, Exercise Physiology, & Strength and Conditioning)

Option 2: 6 sh (Sports Psychology)

COACHING CONCENTRATION

Non-Thesis Option:

KHP Required Core Option 1 9 semester hours
Coaching Concentration 18 semester hours
KHP 6690 3 semester hours
Total 30 semester hours

OR

Thesis Option:

KHP Required Core Option 1 9 semester hours
Coaching Concentration 18 semester hours
Thesis I 3 semester hours
Thesis II 3 semester hours
Total 33 semester hours
Coaching Concentration Courses:
Select one of the following:

EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY CONCENTRATION

Non-Thesis Option:

KHP Required Core Option 1 9 semester hours
Exercise Physiology Concentration 18 semester hours
KHP 6690 3 semester hours
Total 30 semester hours

OR

Thesis Option:

KHP Required Core Option 1 9 semester hours
Exercise Physiology Concentration 18 semester hours
Thesis I 3 semester hours
Thesis II 3 semester hours
Total 33 semester hours
Exercise Physiology Concentration Courses:
Select one of the following:

SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY CONCENTRATION

Non-Thesis Option:

KHP Required Core Option 2 6 semester hours
Sport Psychology Concentration 21 semester hours
KHP 6690 3 semester hours
Total 30 semester hours

OR

Thesis Option:

KHP Required Core Option 2 6 semester hours
Sport Psychology Concentration 21 semester hours
Thesis I 3 semester hours
Thesis II 3 semester hours
Total 33 semester hours
Sports Psychology Concentration Courses:
Select one of the following:

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CONCENTRATION

Non-Thesis Option:

KHP Required Core Option 1 9 semester hours
Strength & Conditioning Concentration 18 semester hours
KHP 6690 3 semester hours
Total 30 semester hours

OR

Thesis Option:

KHP Required Core Option 1 9 semester hours
Strength & Conditioning Concentration 18 semester hours
Thesis I 3 semester hours
Thesis II 3 semester hours
Total 33 semester hours

 

Strength and Conditioning Concentration Courses:
Select one of the following:

Degree Plan

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