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Kinesiology PhD program ranked No. 1 in US for excellence

In the national academy of kinesiology’s 2023 rankings of doctoral programs, the college’s program studying the science of movement moved up..

The college’s exercise science laboratories offer high-tech equipment for studying the science of movement.

Students come from far and wide to enroll in highly ranked program 

Balea Schumacher was born and raised in Florida and earned two degrees from the University of South Florida. But when it came time to earn a doctorate, her first and only choice was the college’s Kinesiology PhD program.  

As a doctoral student, Schumacher revels in the rich research she conducts with like-minded faculty members. “It’s great to be part of such an elite program,” she said. “I was born to be a Buckeye.” 

Ibrahim Salem Almahaireh, now a doctoral candidate who hails from Jordan, found key reasons to apply only to Ohio State’s Kinesiology program for his PhD. “The program has some of the best faculty in the world,” he said. “It is a mainstay as one of the best in the United States.” 

The recent 2023 Doctoral Program Evaluations released by the National Academy of Kinesiology last autumn confirm his choice. The rankings place the college’s PhD program as No. 1 in the country, adjusted for faculty size.  

This year’s rankings process, to be issued in three-year cycles, evaluated 35 doctoral programs that submitted the required data. When considering all the programs without adjusting for faculty size, Ohio State’s program ranks No. 10 in the nation. 

“Kinesiology departments vary greatly in size from 40 or more faculty to smaller programs,” said Jackie Goodway , professor of kinesiology and chair of the college’s program. “The unadjusted metrics look at total volume of the indices for each program. Adjusted rankings take into account the size of the faculty. Given how small we are with 14 faculty, it is a testament to how productive we are.” 

The rankings examined 11 components related to faculty, such as productivity in publications and presentations. Six components related to students, such as placement after graduation in tenure-track positions, postdoctoral positions or other positions requiring a doctorate. 

In a related area, the college’s Master of Science in Sport Management placed at No. 4 in the United State and No. 5 in the world in the 2023 rankings by SportBusiness.  

Students appreciate specialization choices for PhD 

The college’s kinesiology doctorate offers three specializations: 

• The Health and Exercise Science specialization trains students using physiological- and behavior-based approaches to studying movement. It also expands the breadth of knowledge of and experience with basic and applied laboratory and field-based research skills. Even within the specialization two tracks are offered: exercise physiology track or health and physical activity behavior. 

In her research, Balea Schumacher looks at the psychology and physiology of individuals, particularly in terms of sports performance, with guidance from her advisor, Professor Brian Focht . “I have attended numerous conferences where I have shared my research with others in the field,” she said. “I currently have nine published abstracts and am working on three articles to submit to journals.”  

Her most recent abstract appears in the conference proceedings of the International Society on Sports Nutrition (scroll down). She teams up with the college’s Postdoctoral Diversity Fellow John Paul Anders to study the mechanisms of how isometric squats cause muscle fatigue. They especially focus on sex differences because females are often not included in such studies. 

“Dr. Anders has great enthusiasm and passion for our research,” Schumacher said. “As an alum of the program, he has great connections from over the years that have allowed our lab collaboration to be even better.” She also points to the faculty of the Exercise Science specialization. “We have many of the leading experts in the field, and to have them as professors is incredible.” 

Schumacher also has been a graduate teaching associate for three and a half years. She has been the primary instructor for KNHES 5590: Comprehensive Laboratory in Exercise Science. In the college’s lab, she teaches undergraduates to conduct comprehensive fitness testing and fitness evaluation and to develop training programs for healthy and older adults.

“This experience has helped build and shape me into the future professor I may be one day,” Schumacher said. “I love being able to teach such an advanced and useful course. Being completely hands-on with the students and being the primary decision maker about what is taught is extremely beneficial.” 

• The Physical Education specialization emphasizes preparing teachers of physical education and conducting research to find solutions to educational problems or to move the practice forward. Specific faculty specialize in adapted physical education. 

“Ohio State has state-of-the-art research facilities at its fingertips,” said Ibrahim Salem Almahaireh, a professional swimming coach who twice received Best Coach of the Year in his homeland of Jordan. He also was recognized as the youngest coach for elite level by the Jordanian Minister of Youth and Sports.  

Earlier in May, he published an article online in the European Journal of Sport Science . Most recently, he has presented his research at the Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (OAHPERD). 

He serves as a graduate teaching assistant for KNHES 2601: Teaching Sport, Leisure and Exercise. He also volunteers as a swimming coach with the university’s Men’s Swim and Dive Team.

Ohio State offers “many field experience opportunities that provide the development you need to become successful in your career,” he said. “Working with world-class coaches and athletes alongside nationally renowned faculty for my PhD helps me apply what I’m learning in the classroom to practice. It has enriched my experience and growth immensely.” 

Almahaireh is particularly grateful to his dissertation advisor, Professor Phil Ward , as well as his committee members Sam Hodge , Weidong Li and Sue Sutherland . He also appreciates his time working with Professor Jackie Goodway. 

“Their unwavering support and understanding have been a beacon of light in my journey,” he said, “particularly as I navigate the challenges of being an international student. Dr. Ward's mentorship has been nothing short of extraordinary, guiding me with wisdom and patience.” 

Having recently passed his candidacy exam, Almahaireh is nearing the completion of his time at Ohio State. “The diversity within the program, from students to faculty and staff, fosters a warm, inclusive environment that has become a second home to me, filling the void of being far from my own family,” he said.  

“OSU has helped me discover new skills and challenge myself to reach my full potential and become a better coach to my athletes.”

• The Sport Management specialization cultivates students’ research and leadership skills. The flexible program involves students with several types of research and the opportunity to engage with interdisciplinary areas at Ohio State. Columbus offers many venues for research, from professional sports teams to K-12 school sports to the vast choice of sports offered by Ohio State Athletics. Students master research skills across disciplines. For instance, some choose sports psychology. Others have selected sports policy. 

Alina Cioletti chose this specialization because of “the phenomenal faculty as well as the opportunities in the program.” She has published several journal articles with her advisor, Associate Professor Leeann Lower-Hoppe . Her article with Lower-Hoppe and colleagues in the September issue of the Recreational Sports Journal explored how success of collegiate sport club programs is measured and perceived.  

Cioletti is first author of an article in press with The Physical Educator titled “The Clash of Sports Officials and Fans: When Free Speech Borders Harassment.” 

“The highlight of working towards attaining my degree has been the opportunity to be a graduate teaching associate,” Cioletti said. During the spring semester, she will teach KNSISM 4411: College Sport, which covers the historical development of college sport and its place in American higher education and culture. She will also direct and supervise undergraduate Sport Industry majors in their internship course. 

“I have loved teaching undergraduate courses,” she said, “and having a positive impact on future sport managers.” 

Cioletti also works with Professor Donna Pastore , who helps her develop her teaching skill and connects her with opportunities to present at conferences. Both Lower-Hoppe and Pastore “support me with everything related to my candidacy exams, dissertation and the application process as I am currently applying for jobs in academia,” she said. “I get the best of both worlds.”  

Phil Yackee said the ability to continue to work full-time at Ohio State in the Department of Athletics while pursuing his PhD brought him to this program. He is the director of ticketing finance for the Athletic Ticket Office.  

In this role, he is the primary ticket manager for Ohio State Men’s Basketball. In addition, he directs all financial and accounting responsibilities for the Department of Athletics Ticket Office. 

Yackee works with Professor Donna Pastore as his advisor His research interest is in organizational behavior and intercollegiate athletics.  

“I especially appreciate the opportunity to work with and learn from the amazing faculty members within this program,” he said. 

Additional faculty who make up the 14 who teach in the Kinesiology PhD Program are professors William Kraemer (retired but continuing research) , Carl Maresh , Rick Petosa , Professor Emeritus David Porretta , Brian Turner and Jeff Volek . 

In addition, Assistant Professor Cathy Saenz teaches in the Exercise Science Program. Clinical Associate Professor Carmen Swain serves as an administrator, coordinating practical and internship experiences for undergraduate students, and teaches in the Health and Exercise Science specialization. Similarly, Visiting Assistant Professor Moetiz Samad teaches in the undergraduate Sport Industry program and is the undergraduate studies chair for that degree. 

Four lecturers round out the teaching faculty in Kinesiology, which includes the Sport Industry program for undergraduates: Ben Buchanan, Marc Horger, Rio Watanabe and Melissa Wiser. 

Suggested Stories

• UNC Chapel Hill

The National Academy of Kinesiology ranks UNC’s Human Movement Science PhD program as one of the top five US doctoral programs in kinesiology

October 2, 2020

By Peggy Felix

“The Human Movement Science Curriculum is successful because of the dedication and hard work of our outstanding faculty and students, and the support of leadership at all levels within the School of Medicine and the College of Arts and Sciences. The interdisciplinary nature of the program and the wide range of faculty research interests attract top-notch PhD students from around the country. We are thrilled to see the rise in our rankings in recognition of the growth of the program and the quality of the research we are conducting on topics such as prevention and treatment of knee arthritis, shoulder injury, concussion, and stroke,” said Vicki Mercer , director of the Human Movement Science Curriculum .

The NAK rankings reflect five years of data collected on program faculty (productivity, funding, and visibility), and program students (admissions, support, publications, and employment). UNC’s program is ranked #2 in the unadjusted rankings and #5 in the adjusted rankings.* Other programs ranking in the top five are listed below:

Unadjusted Rankings

• University of Michigan
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Pennsylvania State University
• University of South Carolina
• University of Delaware

Adjusted Rankings*

• University of Connecticut
• Columbia University

The Human Movement Science PhD program is designed to develop research and train scholars to produce and disseminate new knowledge in the field of human movement science. Through interdisciplinary training, students study and develop theory and methods for maintaining health, preventing disability, and improving movement ability.

Stephen Hooper, Associate Dean of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Allied Health Sciences, shared, “We couldn’t be more proud of this program with respect to its accomplishments, and very excited for all of its faculty and students. This program should serve as an exemplar for interprofessional education, departmental collaborations, and innovative thinking with respect to preparing our next generation of leaders in human movement science. It is truly a beacon of excellence!”

*Scores adjusted to account for the number of faculty members in each program.

Vicki S. Mercer, PT, PhD, is an associate professor in the Division of Physical Therapy within the Department of Allied Health Sciences.

Stephen Hooper, PhD, has served as associate dean and chair of the department since 2013.

Filed Under:

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Exercise Physiology

Doctoral Program

Department of Kinesiology and Health Education

Exercise Physiology is the study of how our bodily systems respond and adapt to stimuli of acute and chronic exercises and how these changes are related to health, disease, physical function, and performance. Our Exercise Physiology program offers students the opportunity to explore practical areas of study that prepare them for a career promoting healthy lifestyles.

Additionally, graduate students can focus on a research-intensive route that benefits from the vast amount of resources and knowledge provided by the university and faculty.

Application Requirements

Students applying to the Ph.D. degree program are expected to hold a master’s degree in kinesiology or a related field from an accredited college or university. Exceptional students with only a bachelor’s degree may be admitted straight into the Ph.D. program.

Meeting the Requirements

Competency is typically demonstrated by completion of specific undergraduate courses taken in kinesiology or other disciplines.  Students may be admitted to the graduate program without these core courses, provided that they fulfill these requirements either prior to starting their degree for master’s students or prior to advancement to candidacy for doctoral students.

Students can meet these competencies by taking the necessary course(s) at the University of Texas, as noted above.  Students taking any of these courses at the University of Texas will also need to fulfill any prerequisites for these courses. Undergraduate core competencies are in addition to the required courses in the student’s graduate program.

It is recommended that any deficiencies be completed prior to entering the program.  It is typically possible to complete the core competencies during the summer prior to beginning the program. All courses must be taken for a letter grade to fulfill the competency area requirement. 

After entering the program, the student should download and submit the  prerequisite form  to the faculty advisor for approval before it is submitted to the graduate program coordinator for filing.

Additional Ph.D. Requirements

• Demonstrated capability of independent research. Examples include completing a thesis or presenting a poster at a scientific conference or publishing a research article.
• Approval of a faculty advisor willing to supervise the student’s doctoral program. The laboratory in which student’s research project is conducted provides the setting for student’s most crucial learning experiences.

Applicants without a faculty member willing to supervise them will not be admitted into the program.  Prior to applying to the program, students should contact the professor that they are interested in working with. 

Establishment of Program of Study

During their first year, each student and their academic advisor will develop an individualized program of study. The program will be based on the student’s research interests and dissertation topic. This will outline the coursework the student will take to complete their degree.

This program of study will be presented for approval to the graduate studies committee during the student’s second year. It will include any and all coursework deemed necessary to meet the degree requirements described in the Program Overview below.

Proposed Program Schedule

• The sequencing of course offerings favors admission in the fall semester.
• Prerequisites, if needed, should be completed in the first semester of study, and must be completed prior to advancement to doctoral candidacy. Submit the prerequisite form  signed by the faculty advisor to the graduate program coordinator.
• At the end of each academic year, the yearly progress report checklist will be filled out by the student, signed by the faculty adviser, and submitted during the doctoral seminar.    
• During the second year of doctoral study, the program of study should be established and presented to the exercise physiology faculty and the graduate studies committee for approval.
• By the end of the second year of post master’s study, organized coursework in the program of study should be near completion, and the comprehensive examination should be taken.
• Following successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the student may be advanced to candidacy (see Doctoral Candidacy below).
• In the year following the successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the dissertation proposal should have been defined and presented to the dissertation committee.
• The dissertation defense will be conducted and evaluated by the dissertation committee.  

Ph.D. Student Evaluation

Ph.D. students must make satisfactory progress and will be evaluated for satisfactory progress each year. The evaluation will be based on completion of coursework, GPA, and research involvement.

• Incompletes . Graduate students are expected to complete courses within the time frame of the semester. In unusual cases where this semester framework is not in the best interest of the student, the professor may report the symbol X (incomplete) in place of a grade. The student must then complete the course requirements and the instructor must report a final grade by the end of the grade reporting period in the student’s next long-session semester of enrollment (i.e., spring or fall semester). If this deadline is not met, the symbol X is converted to the symbol I (permanent incomplete). The symbol I cannot be converted to a grade. The GSC considers two or more grades of incomplete including permanent incompletes as unsatisfactory progress. (TAs, GRAs, etc., may acquire no more than two grades of X or one grade of X and I. They cannot have two or more grades of I.)
• GPA . The student is expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 required by the Graduate School. This GPA pertains to all coursework within the major department, outside the department, and also to the overall combined GPA.
• Research Involvement . It is the responsibility of the student to meet with the Academic Advisor to be certain that all research expectations are made clear. Students who are not actively involved in research will be considered as not making satisfactory progress.

Program Overview

Specific requirements for the doctoral degree program are outlined below. All organized graduate courses (i.e., not including Directed Research) taken in Exercise Physiology must be taken for a letter grade. Courses taken outside of Exercise Physiology may be taken on a credit/no credit basis (with advisor’s approval), as allowed by the Graduate School (i.e., no more than 6 credit hours, or 20% of the total hours on the Program of Work).

Ph.D. Required Coursework

• KIN 382 Advanced Lab Techniques in Exercise Physiology
• KIN 395 Cardiovascular Responses and Adaptations to Exercise
• KIN 395 Human Cardiovascular and Autonomic Physiology
• KIN 395 Pulmonary Exercise Physiology
• KIN 395 Sports Nutrition
• KIN 395 Endocrine Physiology
• KIN 196 Doctoral seminar for 2 consecutive Fall semesters
• KIN 296 (or KIN 396) Directed or independent research for 2 semesters 
• KIN 386 Research Methods: Grant Writing (offered every other year)
• At least two advisor-approved graduate statistics or research methods courses ( see flowchart )
• At least two advisor-approved courses (see below for a list of suggested courses)
• KIN 999R/999W (or KIN 699 and KIN 399) Dissertation

Department Courses

Organized Courses in Exercise Physiology

• KIN 395 Aging and Cardiovascular/Disease Risks
• KIN 395 Conditioning for Competitive Athletics
• KIN 395 Environmental Physiology
• KIN 395 Ergogenic aids for exercise
• KIN 395 Exercise and Preventive Medicine
• KIN 395 Exercise as Medicine
• KIN 395 Human Anatomy Dissection

Sample Graduate Statistics Courses

• EDP 380C Fundamental Statistics
• EDP 480C Statistical Analysis for Experimental Data
• EDP 482K Experimental Design and Statistical Inference
• EDP 480C Correlation and Regression
• EDP 380K Survey of Multivariate Methods
• SSC 382 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
• SSC 385 Topics in Applied Statistics: Experimental Design
• SSC 385 Topics in Applied Statistics: Applied Regression
• SSC 385 Topics in Applied Statistics: Applied Multivariate Methods

Research Methods Course Options

• KIN 386 Research Methods: Proposal Writing
• KIN 386 Research Methods: Grant Writing

Laboratory Techniques Course

• KIN 382 Advanced Laboratory Techniques in Exercise Physiology

Sample Non-department Courses (Electives)

Exercise Physiology students have taken a variety of non-departmental courses to complement their degree plans and programs of study.

• ANT 391L Analysis of Primate Anatomy
• ANT 392L Physical Anthropology: Morphology/Evolution
• BCH 395J Genes/Genomes/Gene Expression
• BIO 365S Human Systems Physiology
• BIO 382K Informatics/Data Analyses Life Science
• BIO 384K Human Variation
• BME 385J Adv Oral Comm Intl Eng Stud
• BME 385J Adv Written Comm Intl Eng Stud
• N 382 Sociocultural Influences on Health
• N 396C Advanced Pathophysiology
• NEU 185D Responsible Conduct of Science
• NEU 383C Functional Neuroanatomy
• NEU 383T Principles of Neuroscience II
• NEU 385L Neurobiology of Disease
• NEU 394P Career Dev for Neuroscientists
• NEU 394P Grant Writing Behavioral Biological Science
• NEU 394P Sensory Motor Systems
• NEU 482T Principles of Neuroscience I
• NTR 390 Molecular Nutritional Science
• NTR 390 Principles of Epidemiology in Nutritional Science
• PGS 384S Introduction to Epidemiology
• PGS 384T Advanced Epidemiology
• PGS 386C Cellular/Systems Physiology I
• PGS 386D Cellular/System Physiology II
• PGS 388C Intro Bioorganic Chemistry
• PSY 184R Data Analysis with R
• PSY387S Principles of Cognitive Neuroscience
• SOC 389K Human Mortality
• SOC 395J Gender, Health, and Society
• SOC 395L Race and the Body

Doctoral Candidacy

Comprehensive Examination

To be considered for doctoral candidacy, students must pass a comprehensive examination in the student’s area of specialization. The exam is typically given following completion of all course work (approximately two years of post-Master’s study). The focus of the exam is a student-written research proposal, the topic of which is determined by the examining committee. Faculty on the examining committee will include at least three faculty members from Exercise Physiology.

The examination is comprised of both a written proposal and an oral defense. The written portion of the examination must be successfully completed prior to the scheduling of the oral exam.

The outcome of the examination will be recorded as one of four outcomes:

• Pass with Contingencies

Students who fail the comprehensive examination a second time are dismissed from the program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to doctoral candidacy after completion of the following:

• The student has passed the comprehensive examination.
• The student and their supervising professor must recommend to the Graduate Adviser the names of four faculty members (three departmental and one from outside department) whom they would like to have appointed to the dissertation committee. The student should contact the  Graduate Coordinator  for assistance in completing the necessary paperwork for advancement to candidacy. Only after the student has been advanced to candidacy and has the approval of the supervising professor, will the student be permitted to register for dissertation hours.

Dissertation

Under the direction of the Supervising Professor and Dissertation Committee, the student will prepare a written dissertation proposal and make an oral presentation of it to the Dissertation Committee. Interested students, faculty, and especially Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) members are also encouraged to attend the proposal presentation.  However, a quorum of the GSC is not required. The proposal will include an appropriate literature survey, extensive methodology, and preliminary results. The proposal should be presented following the completion of the comprehensive exam.

The dissertation is required of all candidates and must be an original contribution to scholarship based on independent research in the major area. It is expected to be a significant contribution to the body of the current research. Writing of the dissertation will be supervised by the Dissertation Committee, which is appointed by the Graduate Dean and will include the Supervising Professor, and at least two other members from the Exercise Science faculty. At least one member must be from outside the departmental Graduate Studies Committee.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

The candidate must present a formal seminar on the dissertation research as a part of the final oral examination. All interested faculty members and graduate students will be encouraged to attend the formal seminar and to ask questions about the candidate’s research.

Evaluation of the candidate’s performance will be decided by members of the Dissertation Committee. It is the responsibility of the student and the supervising professor to schedule the formal seminar through the office of the Graduate Adviser.

Time Limits

All completed work that is included in a doctoral student’s degree program at the time of admission to candidacy must have been taken within the previous six years (exclusive of a maximum of three years of military service).

The Graduate Studies Committee will review the program of students who have not completed the degree at the end of three years from admission to candidacy. The committee will review the status of the student’s program yearly thereafter. At those times, the committee may recommend additional coursework, further examinations, or termination of candidacy. In addition, the program is subject to review by the graduate dean.

Investigates metabolic and cardiovascular factors that limit exercise performance.

Directs the department's Nutrition & Development program.

Researches the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of the Acai berry to improve performance and increase adherence to exercise and physical activity.

Biochemical techniques including ELISA's, multiplexing, automated western blotting, associated data analyses, and standard wet lab skills. Research involving diabetes, inflammation, and neural control of circulation.

Investigates the potential mechanisms for elevated sympathetic activation in patient populations such as type 1 and 2 diabetes and racial disparities in vascular function and blood pressure responses during exercise in health and disease.

Experienced certified strength and conditioning specialist who develops curriculum for fitness professionals and conducts physiological assessment and exercise program design for those with chronic diseases.

Teaches and develops undergraduate medical fitness and rehabilitation curricula and works with the health fitness instructor specialization.

Autonomic control of circulation during exercise in health and disease, specifically in type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Effects of vascular dysfunction due to aging, and the lifestyle habits that can prevent or reverse dysfunction. Role of peripheral vascular dysfunction in the pathogenesis of cognitive and cerebrovascular dysfunction Reduction in physiological functi...

Additional Resources

• Doctoral Program of Study Template
• Yearly Progress Report Checklist

At a Glance

Program Starts : Fall, Spring

Deadline to Apply : Fall Priority: December 1 Fall Final: May 1 Spring Final: October 1

Credit Hours Required : 57

Program Location : On Campus

GRE Required? No

Program Director Hirofumi Tanaka

Find out information about the admission process and application requirements.

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PhD in Exercise Physiology

Receive advanced exercise physiology training to help people adopt healthier lifestyles.

The PhD in Exercise Physiology is focused on training students to prepare for academic research careers related to exercise and physical activity to prevent and treat chronic health-related conditions, health and well-being, and the underlying physiological and/or behavioral mechanisms.

The degree prepares students for academic careers focused on research, teaching, mentoring, and translation of research findings to a variety of settings.

For students interested in primarily an academic research career, this degree will also prepare students for post-doctoral fellowships.

Request Info

View Tuition

Program Facts

Degree Type

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Time Commitment

Full-Time or Part-Time

3-5 years on average

Enrollment Term

Application Deadline

Admissions Requirements

No GRE Exam is required

Program Overview

Collaborate with Faculty

The student will work closely with their faculty mentor to develop a plan of study and research experiences.

Current research expertise of the faculty includes the following:

• Obesity and Body Weight Regulation
• Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease
• Epidemiology of Physical Activity and Chronic Disease
• Physical Activity Programming for Health and Fitness
• Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents
• Technology-Based Interventions for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease
• Perceptual Responses to Physical Activity and Exercise

Required Credits

The program consists of a minimum of 90 credits.

A maximum of 30 credits can be transferred from a student’s previous master’s degree, plus up to 9 post-master’s doctoral-level courses may be applied to the doctoral plan of studies.

"The program has prepared me to be exceptionally successful in my young professional career. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities I am given to learn and grow as a student every day." Caitlin Ann Cheruka - Pitt student

Take the Next Step

Prerequisites

Applicants must demonstrate completion of a related degree and/or course work that are foundational to exercise physiology.

The applicant also needs to demonstrate a desire to pursue doctoral training in an area of study that is matched to the focus of graduate faculty in the department who may serve as their mentor, with a particular interest in pursuit of an academic research career.

The minimum requirements of courses include:

• Exercise physiology, physical activity, and health (30 credits)
• Collateral area of study (9 credits)
• Statistical analysis (12 credits)
• Research methods (9 credits)
• Doctoral dissertation (18 credits)
• Additional credits as electives

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Degree Requirements

• Minimum of 90 credits
• Successful completion of Preliminary Comprehensive Examination.
• Successful completion of doctoral dissertation

Program Faculty

Program Coordinator

Christopher Kline

Sirry Alang

April Chambers

Kelli Davis

Benjamin DH Gordon

Sharon Ross

Program News

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Exercise Physiology and Applied Nutrition - PhD

Program Guide

• Dissertation Research

Domestically and globally, poor diet and lack of physical activity are the greatest contributors to the burden of disease and mortality. Globally, obesity rates are on the rise, often alongside severe undernutrition in developing countries. Overweight and obesity, along with other chronic conditions such as cardiovascular heart disease and Type II diabetes are largely attributable to lifestyle related behaviors, including insufficient physical activity, increased sedentarism, and poor nutrition.  We also have an aging population, whereby a healthy diet and physical activity become critical to live more healthfully for longer.

The PhD in Exercise Physiology and Applied Nutrition (EPAN) at GWSPH has been created as an actionable program with a fundamental and deep core appreciation that both nutrition and physical activity together are powerful in fighting many of the most significant public health problems of our time.  We strive to uniquely integrate both disciplines given their unique but often have synergistic impacts on health.

This multidisciplinary program provides a rigorous educational opportunity with a curriculum grounded in science and includes the use of sound methodological approaches and innovative thinking that leads to the advancement of knowledge that can be translated into real-world health applications in the fields of physiology and nutrition. Scholars in the doctoral EPAN program will have the opportunity to more fully integrate or specialize their focus in exercise physiology or applied nutrition through their elective coursework and dissertation research.

The program further provides scholars with opportunities to focus on health from laboratory to more community-based approaches. Ongoing research includes nutritional and physical activity epidemiology focused on aging and cancer, physiological and metabolic adaptations to dietary factors and exercise, chronic disease prevention and management, physical activity and dietary interventions, and community-based programs and interventions focused on physical activity and nutrition in children and youth. The program takes advantage of the strengths of the GW academic environment, including wet labs, applied nutrition and physiology labs, along with our location in Washington, D.C., where students and faculty have the opportunity to translate knowledge into real-world impact. 

Program Director:  Rob van Dam, PhD

GWSPH Doctoral programs admit students for the Fall term each academic year. Applications will be accepted beginning in August and are due no later than December 1st for the next matriculating cohort beginning in the following Fall term.  Find GWSPH graduate admissions information  here .

GWSPH is committed to support the highest standards and practices of diversity and inclusion in all of our processes, systems and interactions throughout the application and student experience.  

The PhD program will accept students every year.  Applications will be accepted beginning mid-August and are due no later than December 1st. Applications will be reviewed following the December 1st deadline and those applicants selected for an in-person interview (video conference if remote) can expect to be contacted no later than mid-February.

Our admissions process and requirements:

• Applicants with a graduate degree in exercise science, nutrition, public health, or a related discipline will be highly encouraged; however any major is acceptable as long as applicants show requisite knowledge and skills
• Typically an A average in graduate coursework 
• International students must provide language test results from the TOEFL or IELTS that are no more than 2 years old if they have not received a post-secondary degree from a US institution
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose

Prerequisite expectations  (what we are looking for) :

• General Biology and Chemistry (with labs)
• Human or mammalian physiology 
• Graduate level statistics or biostatistics course is a required prerequisite

Highly Preferred:

• Biochemistry (this will be discussed with student's research mentor prior to admission)
• Exercise Physiology and/or Nutrition Science
• Strong GRE score taken within 5 years of the matriculation date

In addition, we will thoroughly examine the research background of our applicants and give preference to students who have worked on research teams/laboratories or otherwise demonstrated research interest and aptitude. 

PUBH 6421  | Responsible Conduct of Research (1 credit) PUBH 8099  | PHD Seminar:  Cross Cutting Concepts in Public Health (1 credit) PUBH 8416  | Study Design and Evaluation (3 credits) PUBH 8418  | Applied statistical Analysis* (3 credits) PUBH 6080  | Pathways to Public Health** (0 credits)

*PUBH 6862 Applied Linear Regression Analysis may be taken in place of PUBH 8418 Applied Statistical Analysis. 

**For students without a prior public health degree, find FAQs for PUBH 6080 on the Advising page  here .

PHD CORE TOTAL: 8 credits

EXNS 6202 |  Advanced Exercise Physiology (3 credits) PUBH 6619  | Fundamentals of Nutrition Science (3 credits) PUBH 6611 |  Nutrition Assessment (2 credits) EXNS 6810  | Advanced Metabolism (3 credits) EXNS 8108 |  Lab Techniques in Human Physiology (2 credits) EXNS 8110  | Seminar in Exercise Physiology and Applied Nutrition (2 credits)

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC TOTAL: 15 CREDITS

Electives may be selected to focus specifically on individual areas of interest in accordance with advisors support.  Focus areas may include: epidemiology, exercise physiology, applied nutrition, social/behavioral interventions.  See program guide for examples of suggested courses.  For students entering with a relevant MS degree in physiology or nutrition, some core courses may be waived and additional tailoring courses can be taken in their place.

TAILORING TOTAL: 12-15 CREDITS

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION (no credits)

All  PhD students are required to pass a Comprehensive Examination, which typically occurs following the Spring semester of Year 2.  Comprehensive exams must be successfully completed within three years of matriculation to the PhD program.

DISSERTATION PREPARATION AND DISSERTATION

PUBH 8435  | Dissertation Proposal Development (2 credits) EXNS 8999  | Dissertation Research ( 9-12 credits)

DISSERTATION TOTAL: 11-13 CREDITS

Professional Enhancement

Students in the PhD program must participate in eight hours of Professional Enhancement. These activities are pre-approved by an advisor and may be Public Health-related lectures, seminars, and symposia related to your field of study.

Professional Enhancement activities supplement the rigorous academic curriculum of the SPH degree programs and help prepare students to participate actively in the professional community. You can learn more about opportunities for Professional Enhancement via the Milken Institute School of Public Health Listserv, through departmental communications, or by speaking with your advisor.  Students submit a completed  Professional Enhancement Form  to the Office of Student Records which is required documentation to be cleared for graduation.

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Training

All students are required to complete the Basic  CITI training module .  This online training module  will help new students demonstrate and maintain sufficient knowledge of the ethical principles and regulatory requirements for protecting human subjects - key for any public health research.

Academic Integrity Quiz

All Milken Institute School of Public Health students are required to review the University’s Code of Academic Integrity and complete the GW Academic Integrity Activity.  This activity must be completed within 2 weeks of matriculation. Information on GWSPH Academic Integrity requirements can be found  here.

Students in the PhD in the Exercise Physiology and Applied Nutrition program should refer to the guide from the year in which they matriculated into the program. For the current program guide, click the "PROGRAM GUIDE" button on the right-hand side of the page.

• Program Guide 23-24
• Program Guide 22-23
• Program Guide 21-22
• Program Guide 20-21

PhD students will contribute to timely and important research questions grounded in rigorous methods spanning laboratory science and community-based methods, quantitative and qualitative analyses, effective communications to the scientific community, students and general public, ultimately concluding with scientific publications in their area of expertise.

Our faculty at the Milken Institute School of Public Health are involved in a national profile of strategic research and serve as mentors to students across departments based on areas of specialized interest. These key faculty in the Exercise and Nutrition Sciences department will be directly associated with the PhD, Exercise Physiology and Applied Nutrition program:

Dr. Rob van Dam , Program Director

Dr. Matthew Barberio

Dr. Loretta DiPietro

Dr. Karina Lora

Dr. Kim Robien

Dr. Jennifer Sacheck

Dr. Emily Smith

Dr. Allison Sylvetsky

Dr. Sameera Talegawkar

Dr. Amanda Visek

Jasmine Charter-Harris

Start year: 2022      Concentration: Nutrition Policy      Advisor: Karina Lora

Jasmine received her MPH in Behavioral Science and Health Education from Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Her research focuses on nutrition and physical activity interventions aimed at preventing chronic diseases, with a particular emphasis on underserved populations. Prior to joining GWU, Jasmine served as a research fellow with the CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT), where she conducted critical research and resource gap analyses to enhance the availability of evidence-based lifestyle change programs for adults with prediabetes or those at high risk for type 2 diabetes. The focus of her dissertation is to explore and describe healthy eating and physical activity behaviors among Black Caribbean men.

Nick Foreman

Start year: 2022      Advisor: Matthew Barberio

Nick received his MS in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota for his research on heart rate variability and endurance performance. Here at GW, his research interests center around the use of feeding challenges to understand metabolism. Decreases in insulin sensitivity are common in chronic disease, so his dissertation will use an acute high-fat diet to study the effect of reduced insulin sensitivity after a feeding challenge. In his spare time, you can find him running with a local running club or spending time with his partner and their two grey cats.

Mariana Fagundes Grilo

Start year: 2022     

Concentration: Nutrition Policy     

Advisor: Allison Sylvetsky

Mariana is an international student from Brazil, where she received her MPH from the University of Campinas. She is currently a Fellow at the Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness at George Washington University. Her research explores how public policies can contribute to creating a healthier food environment and protecting children's health, with a focus on ultra-processed foods, front-of-package labeling, and non-sugar sweeteners.

Xin (Tracy) Li

Start year: 2022

Concentration: Nutrition Epidemiology

Advisor: Sameera Talegawkwar

Tracy was born and raised in Guangdong, China, and commenced her academic journey in the US in 2014. She obtained her master's degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, specializing in Human Nutrition within the International Health Department. Tracy's research interests center on investigating the association between diets and age-related functional changes in older adults. Currently, she is involved in a project studying the relationships between ultra-processed food consumption and frailty risk in older adults, utilizing data from the InCHIANTI Study. Tracy's dissertation topic intends to explore the association between dietary quality and physical function changes in older adults at the molecular level.

Start year: 2023     Concentration: Nutrition     Advisor: Rob van Dam

Yu Jin was born in Busan, South Korea, and grew up primarily in Seoul, South Korea. She received her BS and MS in Nutrition from Sookmyung Women's University, with her thesis focusing on a mobile application to control sodium intake in hypertensive patients. She is a fellow at the Co-Design of Trustworthy AI Systems (DTAIS) program at George Washington University for the 2024-25 academic year. Her current research focuses on developing AI tools for nutrition management for public health purposes.

Start year: 2023     Advisor: Loretta DiPietro

Tim proudly served in AmeriCorps NCCC. He started his career as a registered dietitian for WIC. He completed a dual MS in Nutrition & Exercise at San Diego State University. There, his research focused on how tree nut consumption affected athletic performance. Before starting at GWU, Tim worked as a clinical exercise physiologist in cardiac rehab at Boulder Community Hospital. Tim is a Redstone Fellow and his current research interests include chronic disease prevention via lifestyle interventions. One research project examines how participation in a team-based running and adult mentorship program affects metnal health outcomes in DC adolescents. Another examines how the COVID pandemic affected American exercise behaviors. A final project studies undergraduate student health behaviors. Tim is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. He leads exercise classes for older adults that focus on maintaining strength, preventing falls, and promoting independent living.

Christine St. Pierre

Start year: 2021      Concentration: Food system     Advisor: Jennifer Sacheck

Christie grew up working on a family farm in California, and prior to coming to GW, she worked as a Registered Dietitian to bring more fresh fruits and vegetables to children through school meals. She is interested in studying the intersections between diet-related chronic disease, disparities in food and nutrition security, and food systems. Her research at GW has focused on the food-related experiences of children and youth, including food insecurity and participation in school-based food education programs, and investigating connections between these experiences and dietary intake. She received a USDA NIFA predoctoral fellowship to fund her dissertation work to develop and test a questionnaire to measure food literacy in upper elementary schoolchildren.

Heather Wopat

Start year: 2021      Advisor: Kim Robien

Heather hails from the Mississippi gulf coast and worked as a neuroscience nurse practitioner at NYU Medical Center prior to joining GWU. Her research projects as a Graduate Research Assistant have focused on nutrition, exercise, body composition, and chemotherapy tolerance in people with cancer. For her dissertation, she is studying how liver density, dietary intake, and iron regulation are associated with blood cell counts and chemotherapy receipt in women with breast and gynecological cancers.

Tab 6 Content

We have 20 exercise physiology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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exercise physiology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Exercise physiology in the detection of high blood pressure, phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

MRes – Assessing mountain bike downhill performance following high-intensity exercise bouts (Project ID SAS0207)

Self-funded phd students only.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

MRes – Is self-paced performance the key to normalising intensity of interval training across individuals? (Project ID SAS0206)

Molecular mechanisms of the increase in maximal aerobic capacity (vo2max) with regular exercise, the use of nutritional supplements combined with exercise training to promote metabolic flexibility and cardio-metabolic health, mres sport, exercise and health science (project id sas0202), the evaluation of heat therapy as a novel treatment for people with peripheral artery disease, funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Gastrointestinal modulation using omega-3 and probiotic strategies and its effect on cardio-metabolic health in obese and non-obese populations

Enhancing athletic performance through novel caffeine delivery methods, funded phd project (uk students only).

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Transforming Lives PhD Scholarship, Sheffield Hallam University - Developing an exercise-based lifestyle intervention for people with the rare genetic condition, vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

What are the movement, physiological and nutritional demands on elite female rugby union players during training and competition, self-funded phd opportunities in sport and exercise sciences.

The PhD opportunities on this programme do not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

PhD Research Programme

PhD Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Finding 30 minutes in the marathon: a systematic approach to training design for the non-elite competitive marathon runner

The role of nutrition and exercise in physical and cognitive function (such as sarcopenia and frailty), utilizing clinical, metabolomic, proteomic, and gut microbiota data, correlative imaging for fracture prediction in the military, competition funded phd project (uk students only).

This research project is one of a number of projects at this institution. It is in competition for funding with one or more of these projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be awarded the funding. The funding is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

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Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology at KU

Program Overview

The Ph.D. in exercise physiology* at the University of Kansas prepares individuals for faculty, instructor, and research positions at the university level. Students enrolled full-time in the Ph.D. program typically complete the degree in three years. The program also welcomes professionals in the field to enroll part-time and complete the degree on an extended timeline.

Career Outcomes in Exercise Physiology

A Ph.D. in exercise physiology from KU is valuable in a number of fields. Those interested in academia as a career path can see the number of recent graduates who have gone onto become tenure-track faculty members at universities across the United States. Potential position titles after graduation could include:

• Policy maker/analyst

*This program is a doctor of philosophy degree in health, sport management, and exercise science with an emphasis in exercise physiology.

Related programs

• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree
• Program faculty
• Assistantships
• School scholarships

Thinking about exercise physiology?

Brag points, graduate student life view as gallery page.

Vibrant Campus Environment

In the heart of the United States, the city of Lawrence revolves around the University and its students.

Professional Development

Doctoral students will leave KU with a professional and academic network of fellow faculty and staff.

Research Opportunities

Doctoral students at KU support faculty and research staff in conducting adding new information to the body of knowledge in a variety of fields.

Graduate Student Funding

The Office of Graduate Studies at KU provides both internal and external funding resources to support doctoral students.

Physical Activity & Well-Being

College of health.

Physical Activity and Well-Being Overview

The Physical Activity and Well-Being theme strives to understand and optimize physical activity patterns and physiological and psychological well-being across all populations.

Research Pillars

Physical activity epidemiology.

Explore correlations between physical activity and physical and mental health-related variables in specific populations, such as academic achievement/cognition in youth populations. 

Physical Activity Interventions

Examine the feasibility and effectiveness of physical activity programs on behavioral and health outcomes implemented in a variety of settings. Outcome variables include physical activity, sedentary behavior, health-related fitness, motor competency, obesity, etc.

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation

Epidemiological studies on the patterns and prevalence of tobacco use among youth and young adults. Inform and evaluate interventions and policies to reduce tobacco use. 

Physical Activity Assessment

Determine the reliability and validity of novel physical activity assessment instruments for improving the quality of physical activity measurements in epidemiological and clinical research.

Psychology of Physical Activity, Exercise, & Sedentary Behavior

Explore variability in physical activity and sedentary behavior in relation to mental well-being and ill-being. Determine the efficacy of theoretically grounded psychological interventions in impacting patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior as well as psychological well-being.

Research Facilities

The physical activity and well-being research laboratory.

This lab, located in HPR W 107, is designed to meet interdisciplinary and state-of-the-art research needs focusing on the assessment of physical activity and health-related fitness, interventions of physical activity and other health behaviors, and associations of physical activity with health outcomes in various populations. The lab is equipped with devices and resources for innovative teaching and collaborative research programs including: a journal library, graduate student office spaces, a meeting and presentation space, Cholestech supplies, a computer with various statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, STATA, Matlab, R), over 350 ActiGraph accelerometers, 1,400 Yamax CW-600 pedometers, 10 Lifecorder EX activity monitors, 30 Polar E600 heart rate monitors, 50 Polar Vantage XL heart rate monitors, 50 SW-200 Digi-walker pedometers, 50 NL-2000 and 225 NL-1000 Piezo-electric pedometers, 3 Alere Cholostech LDX analyzers and printers, 3 Contec 08A electronic blood pressure monitors with infant-adult cuffs, a POLAR Tri-Fit portable assessment unit, FITNESSGRAM testing supplies, active video game systems, and a 42-inch flat panel HDTV with a DVD player for direct observation. The lab is also equipped with a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry machine (DXA) and a Cosmed K5 portable indirect calorimetry system. Students interested in the research being conducted in this lab should contact Dr. Bai , the Laboratory Director.

The Human Performance Research Laboratory

This lab, located in HPR N 235, provides educational and research experiences in exercise physiology. Topics include energy metabolism, oxygen consumption, cardiovascular and pulmonary function, muscular power, and body composition. Exercise Physiology Laboratory (KINES 4301) and Applied Exercise Programming (KINES 4466) courses, as well as exercise testing, and research studies conducted by faculty members in the Health & Kinesiology Department are performed in The Human Performance Research Laboratory. Students interested in the physical activity and well-being research being conducted in this lab should contact Dr. Bai . Questions regarding lab courses should be directed to  Dr. Groot , the Laboratory Director.

MS Thesis Program Details

​​​​​​You will have a primary mentor but also be supported by all of the faculty in the Physical Activity and Well-Being Research Theme. You will complete a 36 credit hour program of study along with your thesis. Your courses will emphasize content area knowledge, research methods and statistics, seminar experiences with your mentors, and the completion of your thesis. Your completed thesis will be in manuscript form and submitted to a journal upon completion. 

Required for this Program

• BS in Kinesiology or a related field
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher 
• The GRE requirement has been suspended.  You do not need to submit your scores during the application process.

PhD Program Details

You will have a primary mentor but also be supported by all of the faculty in the Physical Activity and Well-Being Research Theme. You will complete a 67 credit hour program of study along with your dissertation. Your courses will emphasize content area knowledge, research methods and statistics, specialized content knowledge, seminar experiences with your mentors, and the completion of your dissertation. Your dissertation will consist of multiple manuscripts. 

• Degree in Kinesiology or a related field
• Students entering the PhD program must have a demonstrated capacity for independent research. This capacity is most commonly demonstrated through completion of a master’s thesis. However, other experiences, such as, but not limited to, intensive undergraduate research experience, industry experience, clinical research or practice, or experience presenting or publishing research can be examples of a capacity for independent research. Students with a bachelor’s degree who wish to enroll in the PhD program are encouraged to speak with a prospective mentor about their suitability for the PhD program.
• Undergraduate and Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

Core Faculty

• Timothy A. Brusseau, PhD
• Maria Newton, PhD
• * Yang Bai, PhD
• Ryan Burns, PhD 
• Wonwoo Byun, PhD

*Research Theme Leader

Graduate Students

• Hayley Almes
• Bolyard, Mickey
• Fu, Lingyi {Carrie}
• Wyatt, Mitchell

Co-Directors of Graduate Studies

Julie Lucero, PhD

Genevieve Albouy, PhD

Program Manager

Andrea Moss

Graduate Resources

Kinesiology, PhD

Program at a glance.

• In State Tuition
• Out of State Tuition

Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.

Conducting Cutting-Edge Research to Advance the Understanding of Human Movement

The purpose of the Kinesiology, PhD program is to develop the next generation of teacher-scholars and professional leaders to advance the broad discipline of kinesiology through exploration of human movement, applied physiology, sports performance, sports medicine and clinical rehabilitation. Students will become proficient in conducting research, while interpreting and applying their findings in order to impact professional practice.

The Kinesiology, PhD program requires a minimum of 63 credit hours beyond the master’s degree. Students must complete 24 credit hours of foundational research core courses, 24 credit hours of specialization elective courses, and 15 credit hours of dissertation after being admitted to candidacy. Advancement to candidacy and completion of dissertation hours requires support from a qualified faculty mentor.

Potential applicants to the PhD program are encouraged to reach out directly to faculty to demonstrate interest and identify common goals that will facilitate mentorship and completion of the degree.

Doctoral students learn through collaborative opportunities with local healthcare and fitness facilities, sports organizations, and the UCF Sports Science Initiative. Ample research opportunities help students foster a team-approach to healthcare and wellness through interdisciplinary research conducted with faculty through the Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science. Students contribute to educating future clinicians and scientists with research and teaching in a robust undergraduate kinesiology program.

Application Deadlines

Ready to get started, course overview, research methods in kinesiology.

Examine scientific inquiry and research-based practices that expand knowledge within the discipline of kinesiology.

Exercise Physiology II

An in-depth study of adaptations of various physiological systems to exercise training and the effects of environmental factors on physiological systems and performance.

Statistical Methods in Kinesiology

Learn and apply statistical evaluation in kinesiology-related research. Determine appropriate data analysis procedures and interpretation of results.

Dissertation Proposal Preparation

Theoretical and practical development of dissertation project(s) and preparation for dissertation proposal prior to entering candidacy.

My time at UCF allowed me to receive outstanding mentorship from experts in the field, learn and collaborate with other Ph.D. students, and utilize new, state-of-the-art research equipment. Teaching upper-division courses helped me develop my instructional practices, and at the end of the program, I felt prepared for an academic career with meaningful research and teaching experiences.” — Nicolas Clark, '21 PhD

Kinesiology Skills You'll Learn

• Proficiency in conducting research related to human movement and interpreting scientific findings
• Gain expertise in technical writing through the preparation of research manuscripts and grant applications under guidance of a faculty mentor
• Confidence in the delivery of STEM and/or health-related education to a variety of diverse populations
• How to improve health professions and healthcare delivery through the advancement and dissemination of relevant kinesiology-specific knowledge.

Career Opportunities

• University Professor
• Sport Scientist
• Clinical Research Scientist
• Postdoctoral Fellow

Admission Requirements

The UCF Kinesiology, PhD program admits once per year for the fall semester. Applicants must apply online and all requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline. Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date.

Potential applicants to the PhD program are encouraged to reach out directly to specific faculty to demonstrate interest and identify common goals that will facilitate mentorship and completion of the degree.

To apply, submit the general graduate admissions requirements , as well as the following items by the deadline:

• One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended
• A master’s degree in a closely related field and master’s level competency in educational research and statistics
• Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years
• Three letters of recommendation
• Goal statement
• Resumé/vita reflecting relevant experience
• Writing sample

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Enter your information below to receive more information about the Kinesiology (PhD) program offered at UCF.

The Kinesiology PhD program provides advanced studies in the area of kinesiology, exercise physiology, and sport science. It is offered by the School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, home to the Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science in the College of Health Professions and Sciences. The degree program combines state-of-the-art research facilities using cutting-edge technology with high quality and innovative instruction and curriculum. The program welcomes students from a variety of educational backgrounds including the biological and health-related professions, exercise science, physical education, or athletic training.

Program Prerequisites

Degree requirements, required courses : 48 credit hours.

• APK6703 - Statistical Methods in Kinesiology (3)
• APK6713 - Research Methods in Kinesiology (3)
• EDF7403 - Quantitative Foundations of Educational Research (3)
• EDF7405 - Quantitative Methods II (3)
• APK7981 - Dissertation Proposal Preparation (3)
• IHS7103 - Leadership in Academic Health Professions and Sciences (3)
• IDS7500 - Seminar in Educational Research (1 - 99)
• APK6102 - Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology (3)
• APK6104 - Youth Physical and Athletic Development (3)
• APK6107C - Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology (3)
• APK6124 - Environmental Exercise Physiology (3)
• APK6127 - Assessment and Evaluation in Kinesiology (3)
• APK6167 - Sport Nutrition and Ergogenic Aids (3)
• APK6170 - Exercise Physiology II (3)
• APK6171 - Exercise Prescription for Special Populations (3)
• APK6176 - Program Design in Strength and Conditioning (3)
• APK6235 - Kinesiology Instrumentation (3)
• APK6909 - Problem Analysis - Review of Literature (3)
• EDF7406 - Multivariate Statistics in Education (3)
• EDF7410 - Application of Nonparametric and Categorical Data Analysis in Education (3)
• EDF7474 - Multilevel Data Analysis In Education (3)
• EDF7488 - Monte Carlo Simulation Research in Education (3)
• APK6168 - Exercise, Nutrition and Weight Control (3)
• APK6118C - Neuromuscular Physiology of Human Movement (3)
• PHT6115C - Gross Anatomy/Neuroscience I (6)
• PHT6118C - Gross Anatomy/Neuroscience II (6)
• APK6116 - Exercise Physiology I (3)
• APK6111 - Clinical Exercise Physiology (3)
• APK6129C - Clinical Assessment and Exercise Testing (3)
• APK6090 - Professional Practices in Kinesiology (3)
• APK6415 - Exercise Behavior Change and Client Education (3)
• PHT6161C - Neuroplasticity of Human Movement (3)
• APK6173C - Body Composition and Anthropometrics (3)
• APK6612 - Monitoring Training and Athletic Performance (3)

Dissertation

• Doctoral students must present a prospectus for the dissertation to the doctoral adviser, prepare a proposal and present it to the dissertation committee, and defend the final research submission with the dissertation committee. All students must complete the candidacy examination prior to enrolling in Dissertation.
• APK7980 - Dissertation (99)

Candidacy Requirements

• The following are required to be admitted to candidacy for the Kinesiology Ph.D. and to enroll in dissertation hours: - Submission of an approved program of study. - Completion of all graduate course work, except for dissertation hours, with an overall 3.0 GPA. - Proof of current professional certification(s) demonstrating industry-relevant competencies. - Formation of a qualifying examination committee consisting of approved graduate faculty and graduate faculty scholars. - Successful completion of the qualifying examination/pre-dissertation project. - Formation of a dissertation advisory committee consisting of approved graduate faculty and graduate faculty scholars. - Successful defense of the written dissertation proposal which serves as the candidacy examination.

Qualifying Examination

• The purpose of the Qualifying Examination is to evaluate the student’s depth and breadth of knowledge in the field of study, including theory and research methodology. The Qualifying Examination is intended to be completed near the end of the second year of study and must be completed prior to taking the Candidacy Exam. Students must be enrolled in the university during the semester an examination is taken. Details about the Qualifying Exam can be found in the Kinesiology PhD Student Handbook.

Candidacy Examination

• The purpose of the Candidacy Examination is to evaluate the student’s proposed research plan for their dissertation. The Candidacy Examination is completed after the Qualifying Examination and includes both a written dissertation proposal and an oral presentation of the proposal. Details about the Qualifying Exam can be found in the Kinesiology PhD Student Handbook.

Grand Total Credits: 63

Application requirements, financial information.

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.

Independent Learning

The dissertation satisfies the independent learning requirement.

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Ph.D. Concentration in Exercise Physiology

The doctoral concentration in exercise physiology is designed to prepare students for careers in teaching, research, and/or clinical settings.

Students who pursue the concentration in exercise physiology have opportunities to participate in research exploring the relationship between exercise and the various physiological systems, and the interaction of exercise with such factors as diet and disease across the lifespan.

In addition to specific coursework in physiology of exercise, all students will study research design and practice through additional required coursework and research practicum experience.  Students are expected to present dissertation results at national/international conferences and to publish their work in leading peer-reviewed journals

Degree Requirements

Students must complete all  MSU and KIN requirements for the PhD degree , including area of concentration, breadth requirement, supporting area cognate, research cognate, research practicum, comprehensive exams, and dissertation. The exact program of study is specified in an individual  program plan  approved by the student’s guidance committee. Typical courses in the exercise physiology concentration include:

Core courses in exercise physiology

• KIN 810 – Metabolic Responses to Exercise (3 credits)
• KIN 811 – Methods of Physiological Evaluation and Exercise Prescription (2 credits)
• KIN 812 – Cardiorespiratory Responses to Exercise (3 credits)
• KIN 813 – Neuromuscular Responses to Exercise (3 credits)
• KIN 814 – Endocrine Responses to Exercise (3 credits)
• KIN 910 – Current Issues in Exercise Physiology (3-9 credits)

Other courses often included in the program plan

• PSL 431-432 – Human Physiology I and II (3 credits)
• CEM 351-352- Organic Chemistry I and II (3 credits)
• BCH 401 – Basic Biochemistry (4 credits) or BCH 461-462 – Biochemistry I and II (6 credits)
• BCH 802 – Metabolic Regulation & Molecular Endocrinology (4 credits) or BCH 831 – Physiological Biochemistry (4 credits)
• KIN 870 – Physical Activity and Well Being (3 credits)
• KIN 990 – Independent Study in Kinesiology (1-6 credits)

Students in the exercise physiology concentration often complete external cognates in areas of study such as physiology, epidemiology, human nutrition, pharmacology, public health, and zoology. Consult the  Academic Programs  and  Description of Courses  catalogs for a full listing of academic programs and courses.

Expectations

The majority of KIN doctoral students prepare for careers in higher education; therefore, it is important that they acquire sufficient expertise and experience in research, teaching, and service to prepare for successful careers in the academy. Departmental expectations related to that goal are described in  Expectations of Ph.D. Students , and related learning experiences are described in  Professional Development Opportunities . These expectations are individualized for students during advising and guidance committee meetings

Graduate Studies Secretary 308 W. Circle Drive, Room 134 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 Phone: (517) 355-4736

Fax: (517) 353-2944 Email:  [email protected]

Contact Information

Contact the following faculty member about the concentration in exercise physiology.

Dr. Katharine D. Currie Department of Kinesiology 27Q IM Circle Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 Phone: (517) 432-4073 Email: [email protected]

Dr. David Ferguson Department of Kinesiology 308 W. Circle Drive, Room 27S Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 Phone: (517) 355-4763 Email:  [email protected]

Dr. Karin Pfeiffer Department of Kinesiology 308 W. Circle Drive, Room 27 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824-1049 Phone: (517) 353-5222 Fax: (517) 355-1689 E-mail:  [email protected]

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Master of Science in Exercise Physiology

Walsh University’s online Master of Science in Exercise Physiology program offers a unique blend of entrepreneurship and business management coursework combined with the study of exercise physiology to prepare graduates and working fitness professionals to perform at a higher level in their profession.

The Master of Science in Exercise Physiology program is ideal for those who are seeking advancement in their careers as health and fitness club managers, personal training coordinators, strength and conditioning professionals, exercise physiologists, and other fields relating to product research and development or physical fitness. By integrating scientific knowledge with business acumen, our graduates are ready to pursue fulfilling careers in a variety of settings such as research and development, fitness entrepreneurship, and sports performance, making a positive impact on the health and well-being of the individuals in which they serve. This degree is ideal for working adults and is designed to be completed online in about two years.

Now accepting applications for Spring 2025

For more information contact:

Hannah Monske [email protected]

Admissions requirements.

2.75 GPA required

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended

Current resume

No application fee

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