Admission Requirements

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Master of Science, Kinesiology

Rebecca Woodard, Program Director
McDonald Arena, Room 116B; Phone 417-836-5690
RebeccaWoodard@MissouriState.edu

Program description

The Master of Science in Kinesiology is a 36-hour program that allows students to choose their area of emphasis as either (1) sports and human performance or (2) sport pedagogy. It is designed to provide an in depth and hands-on analysis for the exercise and movement science, health and physical education, and sports medicine graduates allowing them to select specific coursework that best prepares them for career placement in various fields such as, but not limited to: exercise practitioner, research scientist, teaching in educational or clinical settings (i.e. biomechanics, exercise physiology, health, strength and conditioning, etc.)

Admission requirements

  1. A bachelor’s degree in health, kinesiology, physical education, or a related field from an accredited university
  2. Cumulative GPA (of all coursework) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
  3. A statement of purpose describing: (a) academic/professional experience and interests, (b) research experience and interest, (c) career goals
  4. Submission of a professional curriculum vitae or resume

Accelerated option

Determined on an individual basis with prior approval from the department head of the undergraduate program, graduate program coordinator, and graduate college, current Missouri State University undergraduate students may apply to begin taking graduate level coursework as they concurrently work to complete their undergraduate degree. If accepted, graduate courses chosen from the approved 600 level course list may be counted toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. A maximum of 12 credit hours may be counted as mixed-credit and will be included in the overall graduate grade point average.

Candidates for this option must have:

  1. Junior-level standing (60+ credit hours already earned)
  2. An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or better
  3. A supportive recommendation from the students undergraduate advisor
  4. Acceptance of applicant by a graduate faculty member in Kinesiology who agrees to serve as the students graduate mentor
  5. Acceptance of the applicant by the graduate faculty in Kinesiology under the accelerated masters option

Course requirements (36 hrs)

Required core courses (18 hrs)
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
KIN 700 Research Methods in Kinesiology 3 hrs
KIN 645 Perceptual and Motor Development 3 hrs
KIN 705 Applied Statistics in Kinesiology 3 hrs
KIN 785 Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity 3 hrs
  Research Requirement  
KIN 791 Graduate Internship 3 hrs
  Choose one of the following research options:  
KIN 795
AND
3 hour KIN elective

Research Project
AND
3 hour KIN Elective

6 hrs
  OR  
KIN 799 Thesis 6 hrs
Sport and human performance track (18 hrs)
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
KIN 755 Fitness as Preventative Medicine 3 hrs
KIN 760 Applied Biomechanics of Human Movement 3 hrs
KIN 762 Applied Exercise Physiology 3 hrs
  Choose 9 hours of electives from the following:  
KIN 650 Organization and Administration for Kinesiology Professionals 3 hrs
KIN 667 Physical and Leisure Activities for the Aging Adult 3 hrs
KIN 668 Adapted Physical Education 4 hrs
KIN 669 Health Appraisal and Exercise Testing Techniques 4 hrs
KIN 733 Current Problems in Sports Administration 3 hrs
KIN 735 Administration of School P.E. and Athletic Programs 3 hrs
KIN 737 Curriculum Designs for Physical Education 3 hrs
KIN 759 Contemporary Health Problems 3 hrs
KIN 780 Legal Aspects in Sports, P.E., and Wellness Programs 3 hrs
KIN 781 Contemporary Issues in Physical Education 3 hrs
KIN 791 Graduate Internship 3 hrs
KIN 797 Graduate Seminar 3 hrs
HLH 682 Motivational Interviewing for Health Professionals 3 hrs
REC 615 Risk Management for Recreation, Sport and Park Agencies 3 hrs
REC 623 Administration of Recreation, Sport and Park Agencies 3 hrs
Sport pedagogy track (18 hrs)
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
KIN 735 Administration of School P.E. and Athletic Programs 3 hrs
KIN 780 Legal Aspects in Sports, P.E., and Wellness Programs 3 hrs
KIN 781 Contemporary Issues in Physical Education 3 hrs
  Choose 9 hours of electives from the following:  
KIN 650 Organization and Administration for Kinesiology Professionals 3 hrs
KIN 667 Physical and Leisure Activities for the Aging Adult 3 hrs
KIN 668 Adapted Physical Education 4 hrs
KIN 669 Health Appraisal and Exercise Testing Techniques 4 hrs
KIN 733 Current Problems in Sports Administration 3 hrs
KIN 737 Curriculum Designs for Physical Education 3 hrs
KIN 739 Principles of Sports Management 3 hrs
KIN 755 Fitness as Preventative Medicine 3 hrs
KIN 759 Contemporary Health Problems 3 hrs
KIN 760 Applied Biomechanics of Human Movement 3 hrs
KIN 762 Applied Exercise Physiology 3 hrs
KIN 791 Graduate Internship 3 hrs
KIN 797 Graduate Seminar 3 hrs
HLH 682 Motivational Interviewing for Health Professionals 3 hrs
REC 615 Risk Management for Recreation, Sport and Park Agencies 3 hrs
REC 623 Administration of Recreation, Sport and Park Agencies 3 hrs
REC 651 Outdoor Leadership 3 hrs