Program Overview

Kinesiology, MS

Overview

Kinesiology is a multi-dimensional field that includes specialized areas such as biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor behavior, athletic training, and sports medicine. The purpose of the MS in Kinesiology is to produce graduates who are movement and exercise specialists. The program uses an evidence-based approach that provides an advanced understanding of scientific evidence and research methods that addresses physical activity related aspects of general well-being, chronic disease, and human performance. Students learn how to become data scientists who collect, analyze, interpret and present data regarding human movement. Our students gain hands on experience using state of the art technology located in the SMART Lab.

Graduates are able to work in private and government sectors which may be characterized as clinical, athletic, and military environments. Our graduates fill positions such as sport scientists, biomechanical and physiology researchers, clinical exercise physiologists, and directors of strength and conditioning.

Policies

Students may earn lower than a B- in only 1 course within the first 9 credits taken toward the degree in order to continue in the program.

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

Banner Code: E1-MS-KNES

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 36

Core Coursework

• KINE 600: Scientific Foundation of Applied Kinesiology (3 credits)
• KINE 601: Advanced Exercise Physiology (3 credits)
• KINE 602: Movement and Fitness Assessment (3 credits)
• KINE 603: Applied Biomechanics (3 credits)
• KINE 605: Research Methods in Kinesiology (Mason Core) (3 credits)
• KINE 608: Data Science in Kinesiology (3 credits)
• KINE 615: Advanced Technology to Measure Human Movement (3 credits)
• KINE 798: Directed Inquiry (3 credits)
• or KINE 799: Thesis (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 24

Electives

• Select 12 credits from the following:
  • KINE 500: Special Topics
  • KINE 501: Independent Study
  • KINE 506: Exercise Psychology
  • KINE 604: Motor Control and Learning
  • KINE 606: Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition
  • KINE 607: Exercise Programming: Movement Selection and Progression
  • KINE 609: Applied Strength and Conditioning Programming
  • KINE 610: Corrective and Preventative Exercise Techniques
  • KINE 790: Field Practicum
  • Total Credits: 12

Students may take up to six credits of coursework offered by other programs with permission.

Bachelor's Degree (any)/Kinesiology, Accelerated MS

Overview

Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BS or BA in any degree area and an MS in Kinesiology in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 144 credits.

See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this program.

Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, and additional unit-specific criteria (see Application Requirements and Deadlines).

Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits and course-specific pre-requisites.

Accelerated Master’s Admission Requirements

Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MS program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form:

• 3.0 overall GPA
• 3.0 content area GPA
• Completion of specific undergraduate coursework
• Successfully meeting Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following which can be taken as Advanced Standing or Reserve Graduate credit (to be determined by the student and their advisor):

• KINE 600: Scientific Foundation of Applied Kinesiology (3 credits)
• KINE 601: Advanced Exercise Physiology (3 credits)
• KINE 602: Movement and Fitness Assessment (3 credits)
• KINE 603: Applied Biomechanics (3 credits)
• KINE 604: Motor Control and Learning (3 credits)
• KINE 605: Research Methods in Kinesiology (Mason Core) (3 credits)