The Kinesiology PhD program provides advanced training in Kinesiology principles, including conducting rigorous research. Students are prepared in theory, research, and practical application in kinesiology and their chosen concentration, Exercise Science (first cohort in Fall 2026) or Sport Management (first cohort in Fall 2027). Graduates are highly qualified for employment opportunities in both industry and academic settings. Students learn global marketable skills, such as synthesizing and applying research, as well as discipline-specific marketable skills, such as creating exercise-focused best practices for preventable diseases and evidence-based decision-making in a rapidly changing sports services context.
Program objectives:
- provide a high-quality, relevant, and accessible degree program
- train students to meet economic, ethical, and scientific demands among the multifaceted academic and industry-related health and performance professions
- promote competitive employability of Texas State University graduates in the rapidly changing, contemporary Kinesiology job market
The 54 credit-hour program includes 36 credit-hours of coursework and 18 credit-hours dedicated to dissertation work. The degree can be completed in as little as 3 years for a full-time student. Traditionally applicants have a Master’s degree in a closely related field, but a bachelor’s entry track is available for exceptional students, which requires an additional 24-credit hours of master’s level coursework.
Exercise Science concentration (hybrid):
The Exercise Science concentration includes synchronous and asynchronous instruction. The required Kinesiology major courses (12 credits) are delivered asynchronously (fully online), and the remaining courses are offered face-to-face.
Sport Management concentration (completely online delivery):
All coursework in the Sport Management concentration is asynchronous (fully online). Students will have opportunities for synchronous meetings and discussions with faculty.
Dissertation work (18 credit hours) will be conducted synchronously regardless of concentration and will include meetings with a dissertation advisor (virtual or in-person) and collaborative writing tools. Students are assigned a dissertation advisor upon admission. Students will be expected to complete 36 hours of doctoral coursework and pass comprehensive examinations to meet the requirements for doctoral candidacy. Graduates successfully complete and pass a defense of the dissertation proposal and dissertation.
Professional Development Opportunities:
Students have opportunities to present their research at professional conferences, under the guidance of a faculty member. Conference attendance provides opportunities to make connections with fellow students and faculty attendees from Texas State, as well as professional development and networking with those outside of Texas State.
Kinesiology PhD Program Director:
Dr. Lindsay Kipp, lindsaykipp@txstate.edu