Program Overview

Master of Science - Kinesiology

About

The Master of Science in Kinesiology enables students to choose an Athletic Training, Biomechanics, or Motor Control and Learning emphasis. The programs are designed to provide students with the theoretical foundations of the movement-based sciences. Through involvement in directed research projects, students obtain an in-depth understanding of laboratory equipment and research applications.

Available Options

• Thesis Track
• Non-Thesis Track
• Accelerated BS-MS Track

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please refer to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the biological foundations of motor control, explain information processing and learning theories, and evaluate current theories and research related to motor behavior.
• Explain biomechanical concepts related to human performance and evaluate current research related to biomechanics.
• Specify physiological responses to exercise for a variety of populations and conditions, and evaluate current exercise physiology research related to human performance.
• Explain sports medicine concepts and their relationship to human performance, and evaluate current research in sports medicine.
• Design and implement a research study.
• Interpret empirical data and communicate effectively in a professional meeting.

Career Possibilities

Graduates are prepared for continued education in pursuit of a doctoral degree or other Allied Health field (e.g., Physical Therapy) as well as work in a wide range of enterprises that include:

• Commercial fitness
• Health and wellness programs
• Public/private or non-profit health agencies
• Teaching/coaching at the community college level

Requirements

Plan Description

The Master of Science – Kinesiology is designed for students interested in the study of health and human performance. Students learn the theoretical foundations of the movement-based sciences and select an emphasis in biomechanics, exercise physiology, or other areas. Through involvement in directed research and/or scholarly projects, students obtain an in-depth understanding of laboratory equipment, research, and applications in health and sports sciences. Graduates are prepared to apply movement sciences in research, clinical, or athletic settings, and for entrance into doctoral programs in kinesiology, health, and sports sciences.

Plan Admission Requirements

• Application deadlines: Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
• Students are admitted in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
• Applicants for admission must have an undergraduate major in kinesiology, exercise science, physical education, athletic training, biology, nutrition, or a related academic discipline.
• Students who do not have an undergraduate major listed above must take the following UNLV remediation courses (or equivalent at another university): KIN 245 (Anatomical Kinesiology), KIN 312 (Motor Control and Learning) KIN 346 (Biomechanics), KIN 391 (Exercise Physiology).
• Applicants must have a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 (A=4.0), or 3.00 (A=4.0) in the last two years.
• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional but may be used by the student toward admission (as evidence of quantitative abilities, and/or evidence of verbal abilities).

Application Requirements

• Earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university or international equivalent.
• Unofficial or official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities.
• A resume or curriculum vitae that highlights clinical, field, research, and/or teaching experience, all specific to kinesiology.
• Evidence of quantitative abilities: This may include, but are not limited to the quantitative portion of the GRE, a project that required the systematic handling of data, grade in an upper-level statistics course, or an assignment in which data was collected and analyzed.
• Evidence of verbal abilities: This may include, but are not limited to the verbal portion of the GRE, a review of literature, a culminating experience document, or an end-of-semester assignment.
• A letter of intent that addresses preferred faculty mentor(s) (aligned with the students' research direction), motivation for attending UNLV, summary of educational goals, and summary of intended research activities and interests.
• Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic record and potential for graduate study.

Plan Requirements

Subplan 1: Thesis

• Total Credits Required: 33
• Course Requirements:
  • Biomechanics Course – Credits: 3
    • KIN 656 - Biomechanics of Endurance Performance
    • KIN 736 - Biomechanical Applications in Kinesiology
    • KIN 737 - Biomechanics of Strength
    • KIN 743 - Research Techniques in Biomechanics
  • Motor Learning/Motor Control Course – Credits: 3
    • KIN 760 - Motor Skill Learning and Performance
    • KIN 761 - Human Motor Control
    • KIN 762 - Motor Learning Applications
    • KIN 765 - Neurophysiology of Movement
  • Exercise Physiology Course – Credits: 3
    • KIN 657 - Physiology of Endurance Performance
    • KIN 740 - Advanced Exercise Physiology
  • Research Courses – Credits: 6
    • KIN 750 - Research Methods in Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Research
    • KIN 751 - Selected Application of Statistical Techniques I
  • Specialization Courses – Credits: 9
  • Elective Courses – Credits: 3
  • Thesis – Credits: 6
    • KIN 749 - Thesis
• Degree Requirements:
  • Completion of a minimum of 33 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  • In consultation with their advisor, a student will organize a thesis committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department's discretion.
• Graduation Requirements:
  • The student must submit and successfully defend their thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
  • After the thesis defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest.

Subplan 2: Non-Thesis

• Total Credits Required: 33
• Course Requirements:
  • Biomechanics Course – Credits: 3
    • KIN 656 - Biomechanics of Endurance Performance
    • KIN 736 - Biomechanical Applications in Kinesiology
    • KIN 737 - Biomechanics of Strength
    • KIN 743 - Research Techniques in Biomechanics
  • Motor Learning/Motor Control Course – Credits: 3
    • KIN 760 - Motor Skill Learning and Performance
    • KIN 761 - Human Motor Control
    • KIN 762 - Motor Learning Applications
    • KIN 765 - Neurophysiology of Movement
  • Exercise Physiology Course – Credits: 3
    • KIN 657 - Physiology of Endurance Performance
    • KIN 740 - Advanced Exercise Physiology
  • Research Courses – Credits: 6
    • KIN 750 - Research Methods in Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Research
    • KIN 751 - Selected Application of Statistical Techniques I
  • Specialization Courses – Credits: 9
  • Elective Courses – Credits: 6
  • Professional Paper – Credits: 3
    • KIN 748 - Professional Paper
• Degree Requirements:
  • Completion of a minimum of 33 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  • In consultation with their advisor, a student will organize a committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department's discretion.
• Graduation Requirements:
  • The student must successfully complete a professional paper.
  • Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Subplan 3: Accelerated BS-MS

• Total Credits Required: 24-30
• Course Requirements:
  • Biomechanics Course – Credits: 3
    • KIN 656 - Biomechanics of Endurance Performance
    • KIN 736 - Biomechanical Applications in Kinesiology
    • KIN 737 - Biomechanics of Strength
    • KIN 743 - Research Techniques in Biomechanics
  • Motor Learning/Motor Control Course – Credits: 3
    • KIN 760 - Motor Skill Learning and Performance
    • KIN 761 - Human Motor Control
    • KIN 762 - Motor Learning Applications
    • KIN 765 - Neurophysiology of Movement
  • Exercise Physiology Course – Credits: 3
    • KIN 657 - Physiology of Endurance Performance
    • KIN 740 - Advanced Exercise Physiology
  • Research Courses – Credits: 6
    • KIN 750 - Research Methods in Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Research
    • KIN 751 - Selected Application of Statistical Techniques I
  • Specialization Courses – Credits: 9
  • Elective Courses – Credits: 6
  • Professional Paper – Credits: 3
    • KIN 748 - Professional Paper
• Degree Requirements:
  • Completion of a minimum of 24-30 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  • In consultation with their advisor, a student will organize a committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department's discretion.
• Graduation Requirements:
  • The student must successfully complete a professional paper.
  • Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Documents/Downloads

• Plans of Study: NA
• Syllabi: KIN 656 (49 KB), KIN 657 (7 KB)
• Degree Worksheets: NA
• Careers: NA
• Graduate Handbooks: Program Handbook (222.88 KB)
• Additional Downloads: NA
• Related Links: NA

Thesis Track

• Plans of Study:
  • (8 KB)
  • (85 KB)
  • (19 KB)
  • (25 KB)
  • (76 KB)
  • (32 KB)
  • (1 KB)
• Syllabi: NA
• Degree Worksheets: NA
• Careers: NA
• Graduate Handbooks: NA
• Additional Downloads: NA
• Related Links: NA

Non-Thesis Track

• Plans of Study:
  • (16 KB)
  • (44 KB)
  • (75 KB)
  • (82 KB)
  • (27 KB)
  • (27 KB)
  • (17 KB)
  • (25 KB)
• Syllabi: NA
• Degree Worksheets: NA
• Careers: NA
• Graduate Handbooks: NA
• Additional Downloads: NA
• Related Links: NA

Accelerated BS-MS Track

• Plans of Study:
  • (79 KB)
  • (79 KB)
  • (97 KB)
• Syllabi: NA
• Degree Worksheets: NA
• Careers: NA
• Graduate Handbooks: NA
• Additional Downloads: NA
• Related Links: NA

Contacts

Graduate Coordinator

• Sara Rosenkranz, Ph.D.
• Professor, KNS Graduate Coordinator

Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences

• The department of kinesiology and nutrition sciences within the School of Integrated Health Sciences provides a high-quality educational experience in the areas of kinesiology, nutrition sciences, and athletic training. Students receive rigorous classroom instruction aided by computer and multimedia instruction, practical laboratory immersion, and clinical experiences.

School of Integrated Health Sciences

• With many degree offerings that are accredited by national organizations, the School of Integrated Health Sciences offers dynamic classroom instruction, laboratory/clinical practice, research, and mentoring. Our students develop skills that help them break into health-related fields and further their graduate or professional studies.