KINESIOLOGY PROGRAM
Course Descriptions
The graduate program in Kinesiology focuses on two distinct specializations: Sport Management and Exercise Science. Each specialization is designed to prepare students for success in their chosen professional careers within a variety of sport, exercise, recreation, and fitness settings by providing the highest quality educational experiences. This graduate degree is also appropriate for students planning to continue their training in doctoral programs at other institutions.
Entrance Requirements - Admission into the Kinesiology Master’s Program requires that a student must:
1. submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and when applied to the following formula, 250 (undergraduate grade point average) + GRE scores, attain a minimum of 1500 for regular admission.
2. have completed an undergraduate degree with a Kinesiology/Sport Management major or minor or related field, and have completed 12 hours of advanced coursework related to the masters emphasis. These advanced hours must be approved by the Kinesiology graduate coordinator. See the undergraduate catalog for a description of these classes.
3. complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based), if that individual is from a non-English speaking country.
Prospective students should contact the Kinesiology graduate coordinator for a list of additional materials that may be required for admission consideration Students who do not meet the entrance requirements may be conditionally admitted for one semester, pending approval from the Kinesiology graduate coordinator. Students admitted to the program on a conditional basis are allowed to complete a maximum of 6 graduate hours.
Master of Arts in Kinesiology
Sport Management Specialization
The mission of the graduate Sport Management specialization at Sam Houston State University is to effectively prepare students for a variety of executive positions within athletic and sport organizations at the community, educational, and/or professional levels. Students will be provided quality instruction, the latest technology, opportunities for research and professional development, field-based experiences, and excellent internship opportunities. In return, students are required to become acquainted with relevant issues in the field, understand the research process, and represent the program’s goals and objectives in the industry. Individuals completing the program will be ready to assume leadership positions in the sport management and/or academic domains.
M.A. in Kinesiology – Sport Management (Non-Thesis)
| KIN 562 | Legal Issues in Sport | 3 SCH |
| KIN 570 | Sport Marketing: Theory and Practice | 3 SCH |
| KIN 574 | Research Seminar | 3 SCH |
| KIN 571 | Sport Finance and Sales | 3 SCH |
| KIN 573 | Event and Facility Management | 3 SCH |
| KIN 580 | Ethics in Sport Management | 3 SCH |
| KIN 563 | Leadership in Sport Management | 3 SCH |
| KIN 593 | Advanced Studies in the Psychology of Sport | 3 SCH |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Approved Graduate Electives | 6 SCH | |
| Internship | ||
| KIN 534 | Practicum | 6 SCH |
| Total Program | 36 SCH | |
M.A. in Kinesiology – Sport Management (Thesis)
| KIN 562 | Legal Issues in Sport | 3 SCH |
| KIN 570 | Sport Marketing: Theory and Practice | 3 SCH |
| KIN 574 | Research Seminar | 3 SCH |
| KIN 571 | Sport Finance and Sales | 3 SCH |
| KIN 573 | Event and Facility Management | 3 SCH |
| KIN 580 | Ethics in Sport Management | 3 SCH |
| KIN 563 | Leadership in Sport Management | 3 SCH |
| KIN 575 | Statistical Design in Health and Kinesiology | 3 SCH |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Approved Graduate Electives | 3 SCH | |
| Internship | ||
| KIN 698 | Thesis | 3 SCH |
| KIN 699 | Thesis | 3 SCH |
| Total Program | 30 SCH | |
Master of Arts in Kinesiology
Exercise Science Specialization
The mission of the Exercise Science specialization is to advance students’ understanding of relationships among movement, exercise, and skill that occur in the contexts of development, learning, rehabilitation, and training. The program seeks to prepare future professionals for movement-related fields such as teaching, coaching, personal exercise, training, and fitness. Learning occurs through the study of movement and exercise processes within a framework that emphasizes the clinical and practical implications of theory and research.
M. A. in Kinesiology – Exercise Science (Non-Thesis)
| KIN 567 | Advanced Physiology of Exercise | 3 SCH |
| KIN 572 | Youth Fitness | 3 SCH |
| KIN 574 | Research Seminar | 3 SCH |
| KIN 579 | Management of Adult Fitness Programs | 3 SCH |
| KIN 595 | Advanced Biomechanics | 3 SCH |
| KIN 598 | Significance of Motor Learning | 3 SCH |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Approved Graduate Electives | 12 SCH | |
| Internship | ||
| KIN 534 | Practicum | 6 SCH |
| Total Program | 36 SCH | |
M. A. in Kinesiology – Exercise Science (Thesis)
| KIN 567 | Advanced Physiology of Exercise | 3 SCH |
| KIN 572 | Youth Fitness | 3 SCH |
| KIN 574 | Research Seminar | 3 SCH |
| KIN 579 | Management of Adult Fitness Programs | 3 SCH |
| KIN 595 | Advanced Biomechanics | 3 SCH |
| KIN 598 | Significance of Motor Learning | 3 SCH |
| KIN 575 | Statistical Design in Health and Kinesiology | 3 SCH |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Approved Graduate Electives | 3 SCH | |
| Internship | ||
| KIN 698 | Thesis | 3 SCH |
| KIN 699 | Thesis | 3 SCH |
| Total Program | 30 SCH | |
For a 30-hour program, a maximum of 6 hours of coursework can be transferred from another institution, or applied to the graduate program from an area of study outside of Kinesiology. For a 36-hour program, a maximum number of 9 hours can be transferred from another institution, or applied from disciplines outside of Kinesiology. Transferred coursework must be approved by the Kinesiology graduate coordinator. For any of the graduate degree options, only one independent study (KIN 577) may be applied toward the coursework. Consult the undergraduate catalog for course descriptions. All coursework falling under one of these considerations must have the approval of the Chair of the Health and Kinesiology Graduate Committee. Application of workshops (KIN 599) is limited to 6 hours for a 36-hour degree plan, and 3 hours for a 30-hour program.
At the conclusion of the program, all students are required to pass a comprehensive written examination covering all coursework, exclusive of the thesis if applicable. Those selecting the thesis option are also required to successfully complete an oral defense of that research study. The comprehensive examination can be taken when the student is within his/her final 6-hours of coursework, and must be completed at least three-weeks prior to the graduation date. Students must be enrolled during the semester in which the comprehensive examinations are taken.
The oral defense must be completed at least four-weeks prior to graduation to allow sufficient time for review of the thesis by various administrative offices. Students should consult the calendar that appears at the beginning of the Graduate Catalog for the specific date the manuscript must be submitted to the Dean’s office.