Apr 27, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Kinesiology, M.S.

Location(s): Statesboro, Fully Online


The Master of Science in Kinesiology at Georgia Southern University is based upon the integration of theory, research, and its application in sport, physical activity, exercise, well-being, and educational settings. The Master of Science in Kinesiology degree includes the following concentrations: Athletic Training, Coaching Education, Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Sport and Exercise Psychology. 

Degree Requirements: 30-36 Credit Hours


Areas of Concentration:

  • Athletic Training - 36 credit hours
  • Coaching (Online) - 30 credit hours
  • Exercise Science - 36 credit hours
  • Physical Education (Online) - 30 credit hours
  • Sport and Exercise Psychology - 36 credit hours
     

Concentration in Athletic Training: 36 Credit Hours


Admission Requirements


  1. A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  2. Graduation from a CAATE accredited Athletic Training program or a Certified Athletic Trainer.
  3. Minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (this is a change from the 2.75 minimum).
  4. GRE scores within the past five years.

 

NOTE: Prerequisite undergraduate coursework may be required. Contact the Graduate Program Director in the Department of Health & Kinesiology for complete information.

NOTE: Achievement of the minimum admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and requirements of the graduate program does not guarantee admission to the graduate degree program.

 

Program of Study


Total Credit Hours: 36


Concentration in Coaching Education (Online): 30 Credit Hours


Admission Requirements


  1. Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  2. Regular admission will be considered for students with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 (4.0 scale) for the last 60 credit hours of their undergraduate degree. .
  3. A College of Graduate Studies Online Application.
  4. A full vita or resume that includes the following:
    • Work history,
    • Professional experiences,
    • Membership and participation in professional organizations,
    • Other experiences related to coaching,
    • Contact information for a minimum of three references

Provisional admission will be considered for students with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of their undergraduate degree.

Additional Requirements: This program starts in Summer and students will not be allowed to begin the program in the Fall or Spring semester. All students must be coaching while in the program.

NOTE: Achievement of the minimum admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and requirements of the graduate program does not guarantee admission to the graduate degree program.

NOTE: This concentration does not require GRE scores.

Program of Study


Total Credit Hours: 30


Concentration in Exercise Science: 36 Credit Hours


Admission Requirements


  1. Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. A degree in Exercise Science is preferred, but it is not required*.
  2. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
  3. A concise, 1-2 page, well-written personal statement that describes your professional goals.
  4. A full vitae or resume that includes the following:
    • Work history
    • Professional experiences
    • Membership and participation in professional organizations
    • Other experiences related to the academic program
    • Contact information for a minimum of three references

Note: the admissions process is competitive and applicants that meet the requirements described above are not guaranteed admission.

NOTE: Prerequisite undergraduate coursework may be required. Contact the Graduate Program Director in the Department of Health & Kinesiology for complete information.

NOTE: Achievement of the minimum admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and requirements of the graduate program does not guarantee admission to the graduate degree program

* Prerequisite coursework may be required of candidates that have not completed any exercise science courses. Contact the coordinator for the M.S. in Exercise Science program, for more information.

Program of Study


Thesis Track: 15


Guided Major Electives: 9 Credit Hours

Choose 9 credit hours of Guided Electives

Non-Thesis Track: 15 Credit Hours


Guided Major Electives: 15 Credit Hours

Choose 15 credit hours of Guided Electives

Comprehensive Exam

1All students in the M.S. in Kinesiology - Exercise Science (ES) program non-thesis track must successfully complete the Comprehensive Exam. This includes any ES student that switches from the thesis track to the non-thesis track. The M.S. in Kinesiology - Exercise Science Program Coordinator will initiate a Comprehensive Exam after verifying that the student: is enrolled in the non-thesis track of the ES program, and has earned a minimum of a C in KINS 6130 , KINS 6131 , KINS 7230 , KINS 7231  and KINS 7235 , and has at least a 3.0 GPA in the program, and is making satisfactory progress in current coursework, and is within 6 months of anticipated graduation. The Program Coordinator will work with one to three other faculty members in the ES program to develop questions that integrate content from the KINS 6130 , KINS 6131 , KINS 7230 , KINS 7231 , KINS 7235 , and ES electives courses.

The Comprehensive Exam must be administered no less than one month before the end of the semester. The Program Coordinator will work with the student to schedule the specific date of her/his Exam. The student will have no less than three hours, but no more than eight hours, to complete the Comprehensive Exam. The Program Coordinator will work with the contributing faculty members to determine the results of the Comprehensive Exam. The Coordinator will meet with the student to discuss the results with her/him. If the student fails the Comprehensive Exam,they will be given only one opportunity to retake the same or similar Exam. The repeat Exam must be completed within three weeks of the first attempt. If the student does not perform satisfactorily on the second attempt, they will be withdrawn from the M.S. in Kinesiology - Exercise Science program.

Total Credit Hours: 36


Concentration in Physical Education (Online): 30 Credit Hours


Admission Requirements


  1. Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  2. Must possess a clear renewable (professional) teaching certificate in Physical Education or Health-Physical Education before starting the graduate program.
  3. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 (4.0 scale).
  4. A full vitae or resume that includes the following:
    1. Work history,
    2. Professional experiences,
    3. Membership and participation in professional organizations,
    4. Other experiences related to the academic program, and
    5. Contact information for a minimum of three references.
  5. A personal writing sample that includes a description of teaching experiences and accomplishments, reasons for interest in the graduate program at Georgia Southern University, and career goals for the next five years. The written sample should outline the strengths and experiences that the applicant would bring to the graduate program.
  6. A lesson plan and formal assessment designed for a K-12 setting in Physical Education. The applicant may choose any activity that is taught in the K-12 Physical Education curriculum.
  7. A phone, internet, or in-person interview with Physical Education graduate coordinator.
  8. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required.

Provisional

  1. Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  2. Must possess a clear renewable (professional) teaching certificate in Physical Education or Health-Physical Education before starting the graduate program.
  3. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (4.0 scale).
  4. A full vitae or resume that includes the following:
    1. Work history,
    2. Professional experiences,
    3. Membership and participation in professional organizations,
    4. Other experiences related to the academic program, and
    5. Contact information for a minimum of three references.
  5. A personal writing sample that includes a description of teaching experiences and accomplishments, reasons for interest in the graduate program at Georgia Southern University, and career goals for the next five years. The written sample should outline the strengths and experiences that the applicant would bring to the graduate program.
  6. A lesson plan and formal assessment designed for a K-12 setting in Physical Education. The applicant may choose any activity that is taught in the K-12 Physical Education curriculum.
  7. A phone, internet, or in-person interview with Physical Education graduate coordinator.
  8. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required.

*Achievement of the minimum admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and requirements of the graduate program does not guarantee admission to that graduate degree program.

Program of Study


Total Credit Hours: 30


Concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology: 36 Credit Hours


Admission Requirements


Sport and Exercise Psychology Concentration

  1. Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  2. Completion of prerequisite coursework may be required if degree major or minor is not in psychology or kinesiology/exercise science
  3. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 (4.0 scale)
  4. A vitae or résumé that includes the following:
    1. Work history,
    2. Professional experiences,
    3. Membership and participation in professional organizations,
    4. Other experiences related to the academic program
  5. A personal statement of no more than 3 pages that includes a description of previous professional experiences and accomplishments, career goals, and reasons for interest in the graduate program at Georgia Southern University.
  6. Three letters of reference.
  7. Completion of the online application for the College of Graduate Studies.
  8. A phone, video-based, or in-person interview with the program director may be requested for some candidates after an initial review of submitted applications is completed.

Provisional Admission

  1. Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
    1. Completion of prerequisite coursework may be required if degree major or minor is not in psychology or kinesiology/exercise science
  2. Grade point average (GPA) of 2.75-2.99 (4.0 scale)
  3. A vitae or résumé that includes the following:
    1. Work history,
    2. Professional experiences,
    3. Membership and participation in professional organizations,
    4. Other experiences related to the academic program
  4. A personal statement of no more than 3 pages that includes a description of previous professional experiences and accomplishments, career goals, and reasons for interest in the graduate program at Georgia Southern University.
  5. Three letters of reference.
  6. Completion of the online application for the College of Graduate Studies.
  7. A phone, video-based, or in-person interview with the program director may be requested for some candidates after an initial review of submitted applications is completed

*Achievement of the minimum admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and requirements of the graduate program does not guarantee admission to that graduate degree program.

Program of Study


Thesis Track: 12 Credit Hours


Guided Electives: 6 Credit Hours


Choose 6 credit hours of Guided Electives

Non-Thesis Track: 12 Credit Hours


Guided Major Electives: 6 Credit Hours


Choose 6 credit hours of Guided Electives

Total Credit Hours: 36


Advisement for All Concentrations


Graduate students are advised by their program. Graduate students should reach out to their graduate program director for information regarding the structures in place to facilitate advisement. For more information visit Graduate Academic Advisement.

Graduate students can also contact the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies for more information about their program director.
Phone: 912-478-COGS (2647)
Email: gradschool@georgiasouthern.edu