Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctorate in Philosophy Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa is a research-focused program that empowers students to explore complex questions in sport, physical activity, and health through rigorous interdisciplinary research.

Why Choose a PhD in Human Kinetics?

The PhD in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa offers a unique integration of disciplines, allowing students to contribute new knowledge to the field, engage in scholarly collaboration, and develop expertise that supports academic, clinical, and applied leadership. This program is ideal for individuals aiming to become leading researchers, educators, or professionals committed to improving human movement, well-being, and social impacts.

Areas of Specialization

The PhD program offers two areas of specialization:

• Psychosocial sciences of sport, physical activity, and health: Study movement and health through a psychological, pedagogical, administrative, or socio-cultural lens.
• Biophysical sciences of sport, physical activity, and health: Investigate biomechanics, physiology, metabolism, or neuro-psychomotor sciences as they relate to sport and physical activity.

Program Structure

• Research-focused training: Work closely with a supervisor and committee to design, complete, and defend an original doctoral thesis that contributes to the chosen field of study.
• Academic and professional development: Enhance skills through opportunities to teach, publish, present at conferences, and work on interdisciplinary research teams.
• State-of-the-art facilities: Conduct research in biomechanics, physiology, and motor control laboratories, and pursue community engagement projects through partnerships in the health, sport, and education sectors.
• Opportunities for collaborative training: Choose the collaborative PhD program in human kinetics with a specialization in Canadian studies, connecting the study of human kinetics with broader social, political, and cultural issues in Canada.

Key Courses and Learning Paths

The program includes four key courses that represent four key learning paths:

Critical Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Sport, Physical Activity, and Health

Explore contemporary socio-cultural theories and their application to issues such as equity, inclusion, and identity in sport, physical activity, and health.

Contemporary Psychological Theories in Sport, Physical Activity, and Health

Apply current psychological models to understand motivation, mental performance, and behavior change in the context of physical activity and health.

Advanced Exercise Metabolism and Physiology

Examine how exercise impacts metabolic processes and health outcomes, including hormone regulation, energy balance, and disease prevention.

Advanced Topics in Biomechanics and Motor/Control Learning

Study the mechanics of movement and motor control using advanced tools such as motion capture, musculoskeletal modeling, and neuromuscular analysis.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the PhD in Human Kinetics program can pursue various career pathways, including:

• Academic careers: Faculty positions, postdoctoral fellowships, and academic leadership roles in universities, colleges, and research institutions.
• Research and policy: Contribute to policy development, knowledge translation, and applied research in governments, non-profits, and organizations in the health, sport, or education sector.
• Industry and innovation: Work in R&D, data science, health technology, or private-sector innovation teams that value advanced research skills and deep subject-matter expertise.

Program Details

• Duration: With thesis (12 full-time terms; 48 consecutive months)
• Location: On campus
• Language: English and French