Exercise Science, PhD

Program Overview

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The Exercise Science Ph.D. program at this university prepares students for careers in biomedical research related to sport, health, and human performance. The program emphasizes research-based exploration of exercise's effects on human health, disease, and performance, with students working closely with faculty mentors and utilizing diverse laboratory facilities. Graduates are well-suited for faculty positions, postdoctoral training, and research careers in various settings, including academia, medical institutions, and government agencies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Doctoral students in Exercise Science join faculty members in an active community of scholarship and practice to engage in a research-based exploration of the effects of exercise on human health, disease, and performance. Students benefit from a faculty with diverse research interests, from working closely with one or more of these faculty members with whom they share research interests, and from the supporting laboratory facilities within the department. The program grants a Ph.D. degree, and prepares students for careers involving sport, health, and human performance-related biomedical research, such as:

• Faculty positions in university departments where exercise and human physical activity have emerged as major focus areas, for example, kinesiology, nutrition, public health, and others;
The program’s goals are for graduates to gain knowledge of important concepts, theoretical frameworks, and modes of inquiry in Exercise Science; and to develop the next generation of research scientists and educators in the field.

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Outline:

This degree requires:

• A minimum of 81 graduate credit hours (including dissertation credits and Phase I research credits).
• Various doctoral milestones, such as a 45 hour review, successful completion of a qualifying exam at the end of coursework (excluding the 12 dissertation credits); research apprenticeship project; developing and defending a dissertation proposal; and a completed dissertation and a successful oral defense.

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EXE PHD Phase I overview

Phase I - 36 credits minimum including thesis or research project. Those who enter with a master’s degree in exercise science from another institution will have appropriate coursework evaluated for transfer toward phase I requirements. Transfer credit may not exceed 34 credits of graded courses with B or higher grades.

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EXE PHD Phase I courses

Required Phase I courses (12 credits):

• EXE 606 - Current Literature in Exercise and Sport Science 1-3 credit(s)
• EXE 686 - Systemic Physiology and Exercise 3 credit(s)
• EXE 693 - Research Methods in Exercise and Sport Science 3 credit(s)
• EDU 647 - Statistical Thinking and Applications 3 credit(s)

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EXE PHD Phase I non-course

• Six EXE elective courses (18 credits minimum), including two at the 700 level, and Departmental Selected Topics courses offered under an open number (500 or 700) may be included.
These selected topics courses are introduced to reflect faculty research expertise or new faculty joining the department.
• Phase I Research Project (6 credits) The project is designed and completed in consultation with a faculty mentor, and could include a laboratory based project and/or secondary data analysis leading to a publishable paper.
Projects are formally presented to students and faculty. Students instead may select the thesis option in consultation with a faculty advisor, producing and defending a thesis according to the Graduate School procedures.

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EXE PHD Phase II overview

Phase II - 45 credits minimum, including dissertation.

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EXE PHD Phase II required courses

• Research design, methods, and statistics (15 credits)
• PSY 655 - Experimental Design and Statistical Methods I 3 credit(s)
• EDU 791 - Advanced Seminar in Quantitative Research Methods I 3 credit(s)
• PSY 756 - Experimental Design and Statistical Methods II 3 credit(s)
• Two additional advanced research methods courses at the 600-800 level in consultation with the students’ doctoral advisor.

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EXE PHD Phase II additional

• Exercise Science and Related Electives (18 credits minimum).
These are selected from EXE courses 500 level and above, with at least two at the 700 level or higher. Students may also select from a broader list of university courses relevant to their professional goals. Such areas include advanced technical writing, biochemistry, bioengineering, neuroscience, public health, nutrition, and others.

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Careers: