Program Overview

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Kinesiology: Motor Control and Behavior, MS

The graduate program in Motor Control and Behavior involves advanced study of the psychological and neurophysiological foundations of motor control, motor learning, motor development, and disorders of movement. The program emphasizes the development of a competent independent researcher and is designed to provide a thorough grounding in the area of motor performance, exposing the student to the underlying theoretical processes that influence the control, acquisition, and development of motor behavior.

Program Description

Students may focus specifically on control, learning, or developmental issues, or design their program to expose them to a broad range of study in motor behavior. The graduate student will work closely with their advisor in both formal and informal educational settings. The Motor Control and Behavior named option in the Kinesiology MS is designed toward introducing the beginning graduate student to the field of Motor Control and Behavior, including the areas of the neural control of movement, motor learning, and motor development; and preparing students for advanced PhD work.

Research Areas

Several laboratories (human, animal) are available for research in the area of Motor Control and Behavior. These include:

• The Human Motor Behavior Laboratory, an active research environment where faculty and students collaborate on projects aimed at gaining a better understanding of the planning and performance of simple and complex upper and lower limb activities in both natural and virtual environments.
• The Motor Systems Physiology Laboratory, which focuses on understanding the neural control of reaching to grasp, essential to primate motor behavior and strongly dependent on cerebellar function.
• The Sensory Motor Integration Lab (SMIL), which focuses on improving the everyday lives of older adults through the implementation of physical activity interventions delivered in-home via telehealth and through group classes held at community-based facilities.
• The Neuromuscular Coordination Laboratory, which conducts fundamental research on the interactions between mechanics, neural control, and muscular coordination that allow humans and other animals to navigate their environments.

Admissions

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s).

Admission Requirements

• Fall Deadline: December 1
• Spring Deadline: September 1
• Summer Deadline: This program does not admit in the summer.
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
• English Proficiency Test: Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment.
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

For admission, the Graduate School requires, as does the Kinesiology department, a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0=A scale) on the last 60 semester hours (or equivalent) of undergraduate coursework. An applicant must submit academic transcripts from each institution attended and a statement of reasons for graduate study. If a professor in the area of interest agrees to serve as the prospective student's advisor, then the department's graduate office recommends the applicant for admission to the Graduate School.

Funding

The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Requirements

Mode of Instruction

• Face to Face: Yes
• Evening/Weekend: No
• Online: No
• Hybrid: No
• Accelerated: No

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 16 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
• Assessments and Examinations: Not required.
• Language Requirements: No language requirements.

Required Courses

• Core:
  • KINES 900: Seminar in Kinesiology (1 credit)
  • KINES 990: Research or Thesis (4+ credits)
  • KINES 991: Research in Physical Activity- Theory and Design (3 credits)
  • Statistics courses (2 courses, chosen in consultation with advisor)
• Suggested Elective Courses:
  • KINES 713: Neural Basis of Normal and Pathological Movement
  • KINES 721: Neural Basis for Movement
  • KINES 861: Principles of Motor Control and Learning
  • KINES 951: Seminar-Biomechanics
  • KINES 961: Seminar in Motor Control and Learning

Policies

Named Option-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

• Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: With program approval, students are allowed to transfer no more than 14 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions.
• Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: No credits from another institution or UW-Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to transfer toward the degree.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

Primary faculty mentor will be the main advisor. The Director of Graduate Studies and Graduate Program Manager will provide additional support and advising as needed.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credits

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy. Within the Department, completion of required courses within two years of matriculation is considered satisfactory progress.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance
• Employee Disability Resource Office
• Graduate School
• Office of Compliance
• Office Student Assistance and Support
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff
• Title IX

Professional Development

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.