Offered by: College of Science, Kinesiology and Health Promotion Department
www.cpp.edu/~sci/kinesiology-health-promotion/academic-programs/graduate-program.shtml
Laura Chase, Chair
Ken Hansen, Graduate Coordinator
The Master of Science in Kinesiology is planned to provide the student with an opportunity to improve professional competencies within a chosen area of specialization. Experiences will be provided to enhance the analytical and critical tools for research and decision-making. The student will be provided with a frame of reference that will aid in understanding today’s problems in the profession.
A candidate for the Master of Science in Kinesiology will be required to choose among three areas of specialization: Adapted Physical Education; Curriculum and Instruction; Exercise Physiology.
The Adapted Physical Education Specialization is directed toward those interested in working with persons with special needs. It combines practical experience with theoretical knowledge of individuals with disabilities. Students in this specialization must complete either a thesis or a comprehensive examination.
The Curriculum and Instruction Specialization focuses on methodology, curriculum development, preparation for college teaching, and evaluation with practical implementation. Students in this specialization must complete either a thesis or a comprehensive examination.
The Exercise Physiology Specialization offers a varied theoretical base including the influence of physical activity on public health issues along with clinical experience in the assessment of human performance. Objectives of the program include the preparation of students for research positions and advanced graduate programs or for careers in the exercise science area such as health fitness specialists and counselors. Students in this specialization must complete a thesis.
All KHP graduate students, regardless of their specialization, have the opportunity to select elective courses from within the department as well as from other graduate programs within the university.
Admission to the Program
An applicant for admission to this program must have received a baccalaureate degree in kinesiology or a related discipline from an accredited institution. A student with a baccalaureate degree in a major other than kinesiology or a related discipline may be admitted subject to review of the student’s academic background, performance and interests by the Graduate Coordinator.
An undergraduate minimum grade point average of 2.8 (overall) and submission of GRE scores is required for admission. All applicants must complete the GRE and obtain a minimum score of 145 on the Verbal portion, 140 on the Quantitative Reasoning portion, and a minimum score of 3.5 for the Analytical Writing portion. Additionally, the following course prerequisites with a grade of B or higher must be completed prior to admission to the program.
- Basic Biology
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Exercise Physiology (with laboratory)
- Introduction to Biomechanics
- Introduction to Statistics
An applicant not meeting these admission criteria will be reviewed by the KHP Graduate Coordinator. If the Coordinator approves, the applicant will be admitted conditionally.
The conditions, including the time allowed for meeting them, will be stated in writing at the time the applicant is admitted to the university. One condition will be completion of KIN 590, Research Methods, with a grade of B or better.
Each graduate student will select an advisor from the KHP graduate faculty. This should be based upon the student’s area of specialization and the thesis topic so that the advisor’s expertise will coincide with the student’s academic emphasis. The student, with an advisor, will develop a program based on the individual’s interests and preparation. This program (also referred to as a “contract”) will include required core courses, area of specialization courses, and appropriate elective courses. All programs will be reviewed and approved by the student’s advisor, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Graduate Studies Analyst.
Requirements
- The degree program must include a minimum of 45 quarter units. No more than 21 units may be in approved upper-division courses. An overall 3.0 grade point average in all graduate work attempted is required. Six units of required core courses and 9-11 units in an area of specialization must be included.
- No more than 13 units of acceptable graduate credit may be transferred from another institution. No more than 13 units taken through Extended University may be used on a contract. No more than 13 units of acceptable graduate credit may be petitioned by an undergraduate student. A total of not more than 13 transfer, Extended University, or units petitioned for graduate credit may be included in a Master’s contract. The stipulated time limit of 7 years applies to all of the above.
- Advancement to Candidacy is granted upon the recommendation of the graduate coordinator and implies a readiness of the candidate to fulfill the terminal requirement of a thesis, project, or comprehensive examination. The Graduation Writing Test (GWT) must have been passed prior to Advancement to Candidacy.
- The student shall indicate at the time of filing the program the decision as to the manner of fulfilling the terminal requirement. The candidate who chooses to write a thesis/project must enroll in a total 9 units of thesis/project credit. These units must be completed in three separate 3-unit sections but can be taken simultaneously if appropriate. Prior to beginning the collection of data, the candidate must make a formal presentation of the thesis/project proposal to the thesis committee and receive its approval. Upon completion of the thesis/project, the candidate must make an oral presentation of the thesis/project to the KHP graduate faculty. The candidate adopting the option of a comprehensive examination will be tested on material from the core and specialization areas.
- The candidate must be enrolled in the university during the quarter of graduation.
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