Program Overview

Kinesiology is an academic discipline that involves the study of human movement, especially the role of physical activity and its impact on health, human performance, society, and quality of life. Three concentrations are offered at the master’s level: (1) Exercise Physiology, (2) Biomechanics, and (3) Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior. The study of kinesiology can lead to a variety of careers in teaching, research, and delivery of services. These careers are usually related to physical activity, fitness, health promotion, rehabilitation, sports medicine, athletic training, coaching, and sport psychology consulting. Positions are found in a variety of settings including schools, colleges and universities, public and private agencies, clinical environments, government, business and the military.

Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior Concentration

The M.S. degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior derives its primary intellectual identity from the disciplines of kinesiology, sport science, and psychology. The program draws upon perspectives from sport and exercise psychology, motor behavior, and other specialized forms of inquiry in critically examining behavior and performance at all levels of competitive sport and other organized movement activities. Students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to critically examine the literature in sport psychology and motor behavior, provide psychological assistance for sport performers in a variety of forms (e.g., mental training, injury rehabilitation, skill refinement, stress management), and design evidence-based approaches for teaching movement skills. The majority of graduates of the sport psychology and motor behavior master’s concentration obtain positions as mental performance practitioners, coaches, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, or related professions. The remaining students apply for PhD programs after completing master’s degree requirements and aspire to careers as faculty members at the university level.