Kinesiology - MS

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Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences

The MS degree is designed to provide an advanced course of study and prepare graduates for roles in the disciplines of exercise science (biomechanics, exercise physiology, and neural/motor research). Graduate studies in kinesiology allow students a more in-depth course of study within their discipline, combining advanced coursework with research and practical experience to prepare graduates for employment opportunities in their field. The MS degree also provides excellent preparation for students pursuing a PhD in Kinesiology or admission into medical school, dental school, physical therapy, or other health professions.

MS students specialize in exercise science for research and study. This specialization provides a comprehensive background in the physical, biological, and mechanical sciences. It prepares students for professional applications or advanced study. For more specific information about the program see the department’s website at http://cehs.usu.edu/khs/graduate/ms-kinesiology.

Course Requirements

Exercise Science Specialization (30 credits)

MS candidates specializing in Exercise Science must select to follow either Plan A (thesis option) or the Plan B (research/creative project option).

Required Core Courses (13 credits)

KIN 6300 - Seminar in Kinesiology 1 credit(s)
KIN 6610 - Topics in Biomechanics 2 credit(s)
KIN 6810 - Research Methods in Kinesiology 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6050 - Applied Statistical Analysis 3 credit(s)
KIN 6410 - Bioenergetics and Exercise Metabolism 2 credit(s) or
KIN 6480 - Advanced Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology 2 credit(s) or
KIN 6490 - Advanced Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology 2 credit(s)
KIN 6840 - Fundamentals of Motor Behavior 2 credit(s) or
KIN 6850 - Neural Aspects of Rehabilitation 2 credit(s) or

Thesis Requirement (Plan A-6 credits; Plan B-3 credits)

KIN 6970 - Thesis 1-9 credit(s)
Plan A students must take a minimum of 6 credits
Plan B students must take 3 credits

Electives (Plan A-11 credits; Plan B-14 credits)

Students can select electives from the below list or other courses with approval from their supervisory committee. Plan A students need 11 elective credits and Plan B students need 14 credits.

BIOL 4000 - Human Dissection 1 credit(s)
EDUC 6600 - Statistical Foundations 3 credit(s)
HEP 5400 - Prevention Strategies for Obesity and Disordered Eating 3 credit(s)
HEP 6000 - Advanced Program Planning and Evaluation for Public Health 3 credit(s)
HEP 6800 - Health Behavior 3 credit(s)
NDFS 5320 - Advanced Sports Nutrition 3 credit(s)
NDFS 6200 - Nutritional Epidemiology 3 credit(s)
NDFS 6210 - Advanced Public Health Nutrition 3 credit(s)
KIN 5100 - Fitness Assessment and Exercise Programs 4 credit(s)
KIN 5200 - Human Motivation in Physical Activity Contexts 3 credit(s)
KIN 6050 - Psychological Aspects of Sports Performance 3 credit(s)
KIN 6410 - Bioenergetics and Exercise Metabolism 2 credit(s)
KIN 6425 - Exercise in Extreme Environments 2 credit(s)
KIN 6440 - Body Composition 2 credit(s)
KIN 6460 - Exercise Electrocardiogram Interpretation 2 credit(s)
KIN 6480 - Advanced Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology 2 credit(s)
KIN 6490 - Advanced Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology 2 credit(s)
KIN 6840 - Fundamentals of Motor Behavior 2 credit(s)
KIN 6850 - Neural Aspects of Rehabilitation 2 credit(s)
KIN 6900 - Independent Study 1-3 credit(s)
PSY 6470 - Health Psychology 3 credit(s)
PSY 7610 - Regression Analysis 3 credit(s)
SOC 6460 - Sociology of Health 3 credit(s)
Additional courses that are not listed can count towards a students program of study with approval from the department and the students supervisory committee.

School of Graduate Studies Requirements

Degree Verification: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of a graduate program.
Overall Graduate GPA at least 3.0 and no grades of C- or lower: Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree.
Course Number Acceptability: The Program of Study for a master’s degree must include at least 15 semester credits at the level of 6000 or above. Credits in the following areas are not acceptable in a degree program: foreign languages (unless included in an approved Program of Study), continuing graduate advisement, individual home study, military science, and courses numbered below 3000.
Matriculation Start Semester: A master’s degree must be completed within six years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review.
Coursework Validity: Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated.
USU Residency Requirement: At least 24-semester credits for a master’s degree must be from a committee-approved and a School of Graduate Studies-approved Program of Study from Utah State University.
Thesis/Dissertation Research Credits 6970/7970
- Plan A students: The Plan A option for a master’s degree requires the preparation and defense of a thesis. Students are required to complete a minimum of 6 semester credits of thesis research (6970) with a maximum of 15 thesis credits applied toward a Program of Study.

- Plan B students: A Plan B option requires the production and defense of a paper or project, depending on the department and program. A minimum of two credits of thesis research (6970) are required, but no more than three thesis research credits can be included in an approved Program of Study. Some degree programs require creative project credits in addition to or in place of research.
- Required for all defense degrees: Successful defense and submission of the thesis or dissertation to the library.
Master’s forms: Approval of academic forms required for master’s students by the School of Graduate Studies This includes the Supervisory Committee Approval Form (SCAF), Program of Study (POS), Thesis Proposal Approval (TPA), Appointment for Examination (AFE), Record of Examination (ROE), Thesis/Dissertation Format and Style (F&S) and Electronic Publication Approval – required for Plan A, not Plan B, Authorship and Copyright (A&C) form – required for Plan A, not Plan B, Submission of paper to the USU Library, Graduation Check Request, and USU Graduation Application.