Program Overview
Program Overview
The Exercise Physiology doctoral program at the University of Texas at Austin is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the physiological responses and adaptations to exercise. The program offers a research-intensive route, allowing students to explore practical areas of study that prepare them for a career promoting healthy lifestyles.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the Ph.D. program, students must hold a master's degree in kinesiology or a related field from an accredited college or university. Exceptional students with only a bachelor's degree may be admitted straight into the Ph.D. program. Meeting the requirements typically involves demonstrating competency in specific undergraduate courses taken in kinesiology or other disciplines.
Program Structure
The program consists of the following components:
- Coursework in Exercise Physiology (minimum 18 hours; 6 courses to be selected)
- KIN 382 Advanced Lab Techniques in Exercise Physiology
- KIN 395 Cardiovascular Responses and Adaptations to Exercise
- KIN 395 Human Cardiovascular and Autonomic Physiology
- KIN 395 Musculoskeletal Physiology
- KIN 395 Endocrine Physiology
- KIN 395 Conditioning for Competitive Athletes
- KIN 395 Exercise as Medicine
- KIN 395 Human Anatomy Dissection
- Directed/independent study and doctoral seminar (minimum 6 hours)
- KIN 196 Doctoral seminar for 2 consecutive Fall semesters
- KIN 296 (or KIN 396) Directed or independent research for 2 semesters
- Statistics and grant writing (minimum 9 hours)
- KIN 386 Research Methods: Grant Writing (offered every other year)
- At least two advisor-approved graduate statistics or research methods courses
- Supporting coursework outside the Department (minimum 6 hours)
- At least two advisor-approved courses
- Dissertation (minimum 18 hours)
- KIN 999R/999W (or KIN 699 and KIN 399) Dissertation
Doctoral Candidacy
To be considered for doctoral candidacy, students must pass a comprehensive examination in their area of specialization. The exam is typically given following completion of all coursework (approximately two years of post-Master's study). The focus of the exam is a student-written research proposal, the topic of which is determined by the examining committee.
Faculty
The faculty members in the Exercise Physiology program include:
- Wonshik Chee, Research Professor
- Brittany N Crim, Lecturer
- Ana P Fantini, Associate Professor of Instruction
- Michelle Harrison, Research Assistant Professor
- Jasdeep Kaur, Assistant Professor
- Ayland C Letsinger, Assistant Professor
- Sarah E Little-Letsinger, Assistant Professor
- Jeff Monaco, Assistant Professor of Instruction
- Logan K Schwartz, Clinical Assistant Professor
- Audrey J Stone, Associate Professor
- Hirofumi Tanaka, Professor
Additional Resources
- Doctoral Program of Study Template
- Yearly Progress Report Checklist
At a Glance
- Program Starts: Fall, Spring
- Deadline to Apply:
- Fall Priority: December 1
- Fall Final: May 1
- Spring Final: October 1
- Credit Hours Required: 57
- Program Location: On Campus
- GRE Required?: No
- Program Director: Hirofumi Tanaka
- Graduate Program Administrator: Phillip Salazar
Time Limits
All completed work that is included in a doctoral student's degree program at the time of admission to candidacy must have been taken within the previous six years (exclusive of a maximum of three years of military service). The Graduate Studies Committee will review the program of students who have not completed the degree at the end of three years from admission to candidacy. The committee will review the status of the student's program yearly thereafter. At those times, the committee may recommend additional coursework, further examinations, or termination of candidacy. In addition, the program is subject to review by the graduate dean.