Department of Kinesiology Graduate General Information
Programs of Study | Admission | Financial Assistance
Graduate Faculty Research Interests, Equipment and Laboratories
Graduate Coordinator: Melinda Solmon
The term kinesiology means “study of movement.” In the kinesiology graduate program, human movement is studied from three different perspectives, which form the basis for the graduate concentrations: Exercise Physiology, Motor Behavior, and Pedagogy.
Exercise physiology addresses issues regarding the acute responses and chronic adaptations to exercise in health and disease. Specific areas of interest include histochemical changes in cardiac muscle following acute and chronic pathologic disturbances and conditions; non-invasive assessment of vascular function as an early marker of atherosclerotic disease; variability in end-organ responsiveness to mental and physical stress; and functional assessment of the elderly.
Motor behavior research focuses on the learning and performance of coordinated movement, with particular interest in topics such as variables influencing effective and efficient skill learning, the role of sensory information in the control of complex movement, and, the biomechanical aspects of skill learning and control.
Pedagogy research investigates factors that influence teaching and learning in a broad range of physical activity settings, including physical education, health education, and exercise programs.
DEGREE PROGRAMS
The M.S. and PhD degrees are offered in kinesiology with concentrations in exercise physiology (basic and clinical exercise physiology emphases), motor behavior (motor control, motor learning, and biomechanics emphases), and pedagogy. In addition, concentrations are available at the master’s level in sport management and sport pedagogy. Also, at the PhD level, a concentration is available in the learning and teaching of physical activity.
The Holmes teacher education M.S. program, which is included in the pedagogy concentration, leads to K-12 certification for teaching health and physical education.
Master’s programs include both thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option requires 24 semester hours of course work and a research-based thesis. The non-thesis option requires 36 hours of course work and the passing of a comprehensive written examination.
The PhD program has no minimum for required hours, but most students develop programs of more than 80 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Students may be admitted into the PhD program with a bachelor’s degree. The PhD requires a minor in or outside the department, a research project to serve as a milestone examination, a written and oral general examination, a dissertation, and a final oral examination on the dissertation.
Visit our Programs of Study page for more information on ways to focus your coursework in the College of Education.
ADMISSION
Applicants for admission to the M.S. and PhD programs are required to submit scores on the aptitude portion of the GRE, three letters of recommendation from people who can comment on the applicant’s likelihood for success in the graduate degree program, and a statement of purpose about what the applicant seeks to achieve in the program. Non-native-English-speaking applicants must also submit TOEFL scores. A minimum of 550 is required. The application process may be completed on line by visiting the Graduate School site on the LSU home page.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
A limited number of graduate assistantships (approximately $8,200 to $11,500 for nine months) and fellowships ($10,000 to $14,000, plus tuition) are available. Most assistantships require both teaching and assisting in research. Application forms may be obtained from the departmental graduate director, or you may complete the application on line by accessing the Graduate Assistant Application link on the Graduate menu.
