M.S. in Kinesiology
Overview
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Kinesiology prepares you for a rewarding career within the fitness and sports industry. In the kinesiology graduate program, we take pride in our tradition of excellence, as well as our culture of community and teamwork as we build fearless champions who represent the best of Team Kinesiology at Tarleton.
The M.S. in Kinesiology offers a flexible curriculum to meet your specific needs and interests, allowing you to select a concentration in Exercise Science or Sport Administration.
The concentration in exercise science is primarily offered at Tarleton’s Stephenville, Texas campus. The exercise science courses center application-based lab experiences for graduate students interested in clinical kinesiology and other exercise-related fields. Envisioned as an alternative to a master’s degree in sports medicine, the exercise science program offers a mix of face-to-face and online courses.
Offered as a fully online program, the Sport Administration concentration focuses on the behind-the-scenes business involved in sports management from budgeting and facilities to marketing and game-day operations. Serving as excellent preparation to pursue athletic administration roles at the youth sport, high school, collegiate, and professional levels, this online concentration has produced many Texas athletic directors.
The study of human movement, kinesiology encompasses a wide range of academic sub-disciplines, including sports medicine, athletic training, exercise science, sport management, biomechanics, sport performance, human performance, human ergonomics, recreation, physical education, and wellness.
A foundation of the kinesiology discipline is the psychomotor domain of learning. At Tarleton, our kinesiology graduate program offers a wide variety of opportunities for our students to learn by doing, including high-impact practices and service-learning projects that are integrated with the coursework. These experiences help support the complete well-being of our graduate students, not only in their career, but also in their lifetime.
Program Benefits
The kinesiology graduate program enhances your skills and knowledge in sport science to qualify you for leadership roles related to movement and health. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, kinesiology-related careers are on the rise. The number of exercise physiologists is projected to grow 11% from 2019-2029. Employment of fitness trainers and instructors are expected to grow by 15% in that same time frame with strong job prospects for those with a master’s degree or who hold professional certifications. Tarleton’s Master of Science in Kinesiology program offers hands-on learning through internships, research, service, leadership, and professional development opportunities. Housed in the School of Kinesiology, our Department of Sport Science comprises multiple programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Having a larger department overall provides our graduate students with access to a multitude of laboratories and athletic facilities at our Stephenville, Texas campuses, as well as greater opportunity for faculty mentorship and peer camaraderie.
Courses
Our kinesiology curriculum is designed to be dynamic and relevant to today’s applications of exercise science and sport administration. The coursework covers a variety of topics in athletic administration, school and community health, adapted exercise and sport, statistics in kinesiology, advanced principles of athletic coaching, law for sport and recreation, social psychology in sports, and more. Choose from a thesis or non-thesis track, depending on whether or not you’re interested in research and pursuing a doctorate. Both take the same number of hours to complete. View all required classes for the Master of Science in Kinesiology degree.
More About the Program
- Get Paid While Gaining On-the-job Experience
With stipends that help cover the costs of education, graduate assistantships in teaching, laboratory instruction, or research are available for graduate students in the kinesiology master’s degree program. A limited number of positions are available, and graduate assistants earn about $15,000 to $18,000 per year.
- Receive Guidance and Mentorship from an Advisory Committee
After being admitted into Tarleton’s kinesiology graduate program, you’ll form your own advisory committee of faculty members who support you throughout graduate school in academic advising, degree planning, and portfolio development.
- Join your Peers and Professors in Graduate Student Activities
Kinesiology graduate students can join professional and social organizations, such as Kinesiology Graduate Studies Club and Phi Epsilon Kappa. You also have opportunities for leadership, networking, and professional development. Participating in extracurriculars as a graduate student also provides access to scholarships, travel grants, and special events.
- Training in Stephenville
Offering numerous hands-on professional development opportunities, the facilities at the Stephenville, Texas campus include the Kinesiology Building, Laboratory for Wellness and Motor Behavior, Clinical Exercise and Research Facility, Kinetic Performance Lab, Sports Medicine Lab, and Human Performance Lab.
- Service Learning
With advanced technology, kinesiology graduate students help provide programming in strength and conditioning, therapeutic and rehabilitative exercise, and personal training to Tarleton students and community members.
- Get Your Teacher Certification While Earning Your Master’s Degree
Through the Tarleton Model for Accelerated Teacher Education (TMATE), you can become a certified school teacher in the State of Texas while obtaining your M.S. in Kinesiology.
Offered Concentrations
- Exercise Science/EXSC
- Sport Administration/SPAD
Career Outcomes
- Exercise Physiologist
- Personal Trainer
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Group Fitness Instructor
- Health Club or Fitness Center Manager
- Athletic Director
- Researcher
- Teacher
- Product Developer or Distributor
- Sales Manager