About

Are you interested in working with people to increase wellness and quality of life through active lifestyles? Would you enjoy discovering answers to complex issues related to physical activity, exercise and sport? If so, ECU's MS in kinesiology program might be right for you. With six program concentrations, students interested in enhancing health and wellness through physical activity and sport can find a program that fits their interests. Concentration areas include adapted physical education, biomechanics and motor control, exercise physiology, physical education, sport and exercise psychology, and sport management.

The MS in kinesiology program provides students an optimal mix of scientific knowledge and hands-on experiences. Students have the opportunity to take part in groundbreaking research in state-of-the-art laboratories as they examine the impact of physical activity on disease prevention and quality of life. They also have the opportunity to be involved in research projects focused on promoting physical activity and sport participation across the lifespan. Along with research experiences, students have the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained through practical experiences in a variety of sport and exercise settings. Collaborations with schools, health departments, public health agencies, nonprofit groups and sport organizations provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge, learn in real-world settings, and network with well-known professionals.

The MS degree in kinesiology prepares students for careers in health/fitness and sport settings depending on the concentration in which they studied. Graduates have successfully gained employment in a variety of health/fitness careers ranging from corporate wellness and university settings to cardiac rehabilitation programs. Others are employed in teaching and coaching, while others have sought careers in the business side of sport. Graduates have also been successful in pursing advanced doctoral study or professional degree programs in allied health, as well as employment in research labs.

ECU Advantage

ECU's master's degree program in kinesiology is well known throughout the country for producing highly skilled professionals. Graduate assistantships are available for teaching and research. International students contribute to the open-minded culture within the department. Graduates leave prepared to make a real difference in the lives of the people with whom they work.

Program faculty include internationally known experts who excel in both teaching and research. The faculty care about their students and the mentoring the graduate students receive is unsurpassed. The ability of the faculty to provide high quality experiences in the classroom, laboratory, and professional settings is among the best in the nation.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Tom Raedeke (172 Minges Coliseum; 252-737-1292; raedeket@ecu.edu) Coordinators by Concentration Area:

The Kinesiology, MS prepares students for careers or advanced academic training in the broad realm of kinesiology. The program offers four concentrations - biomechanics and motor control, exercise physiology, physical education pedagogy, and sport and exercise psychology. Students may choose from three options: thesis, nonthesis, or licensure. The licensure option is for physical education pedagogy concentration students seeking M-Licensure. 

Students whose undergraduate preparation lacks essential prerequisite course work or whose baccalaureate degree is in a nonrelated field may have additional requirements. 

The degree requires a minimum of 36 s.h. as follows:

I. Thesis option

Select a concentration from the following:

    A. Biomechanics and motor control - 36 s.h.
      Core - 30 s.h.
      • BIOS 7021 - Biostatistics for Health Professionals I
      • KINE 6203 - Kinesiology Data Analysis using MATLAB
      • KINE 6207 - Physiology of Exercise
      • KINE 6300 - Research Techniques in Kinesiology
      • KINE 6301 - Research Seminar in Kinesiology
      • KINE 6990 - Practicum in Kinesiology
      • KINE 6991 - Practicum in Kinesiology
      • KINE 7000 - Thesis (6 s.h.)

      • Select 3 courses from the following:
      • KINE 6202 - Motor Learning
      • KINE 7200 - Biomechanics
      • KINE 7203 - Neuromotor Control
      • KINE 7204 - Techniques of Biomechanical Assessment
      Approved electives - 6 s.h.
      B. Exercise physiology - 36 s.h.
        Core - 21 s.h.
        • KINE 6207 - Physiology of Exercise
        • KINE 6208 - Cardiopulmonary Physiology
        • KINE 6210 - Theory and Techniques in Bioenergetics
        • KINE 6300 - Research Techniques in Kinesiology
        • KINE 6301 - Research Seminar in Kinesiology
        • KINE 7000 - Thesis (6 s.h.)
        • Advisor approved graduate statistics course (3 s.h.)
        General electives - 15 s.h.
        C. Physical education pedagogy - 36 s.h.
          Core - 30 s.h.
          • BIOS 7021 - Biostatistics for Health Professionals I
          • KINE 6101 - Technology, Assessment, and Differentiated Instruction in Physical Education
          • KINE 6108 - Analysis of Teaching Practice in Physical Education
          • KINE 6109 - Reflective Supervisor and Practitioner in Physical Education
          • KINE 6110 - Global Perspectives and Content Knowledge in Physical Education
          • KINE 6300 - Research Techniques in Kinesiology
          • KINE 6301 - Research Seminar in Kinesiology
          • KINE 6303 - Physical Activity Programs for Individuals with Developmental, Emotional, and Learning Disabilities
          • KINE 6990 - Practicum in Kinesiology
          • KINE 6991 - Practicum in Kinesiology
          • KINE 7000 - Thesis (6 s.h.)
          General electives - 6 s.h.
          D. Sport and exercise psychology - 36 s.h.
            Core - 18 s.h.
            • BIOS 7021 - Biostatistics for Health Professionals I
            • KINE 6300 - Research Techniques in Kinesiology
            • KINE 6301 - Research Seminar in Kinesiology
            • KINE 6650 - Seminar in Kinesiology (3 s.h.)
            • KINE 6990 - Practicum in Kinesiology
            • KINE 6991 - Practicum in Kinesiology
            • KINE 7000 - Thesis (6 s.h.)
            Restricted electives - 9 s.h.

            Select 3 courses from the following:

            • KINE 6115 - Physical Activity and Public Health
            • KINE 6202 - Motor Learning
            • KINE 6401 - Assessment of Physical Activity and Fitness
            • KINE 6440 - Exercise Psychology
            • KINE 6445 - Sport Psychology
            • KINE 6450 - Group Dynamics in Physical Activity and Sport
            Approved electives - 9 s.h.
          II. Nonthesis option

          Select a concentration from the following:

            A. Biomechanics and motor control - 36 s.h.
              Core - 30 s.h.
              • BIOS 7021 - Biostatistics for Health Professionals I
              • KINE 6203 - Kinesiology Data Analysis using MATLAB
              • KINE 6207 - Physiology of Exercise
              • KINE 6300 - Research Techniques in Kinesiology
              • KINE 6301 - Research Seminar in Kinesiology
              • KINE 6500 - Independent Study (3 s.h.)
              • KINE 6990 - Practicum in Kinesiology
              • KINE 6991 - Practicum in Kinesiology
              • KINE 6994 - Culminating Research Project

              • Choose 3 courses from the following:
              • KINE 6202 - Motor Learning
              • KINE 7200 - Biomechanics
              • KINE 7203 - Neuromotor Control
              • KINE 7204 - Techniques of Biomechanical Assessment
              Approved electives - 6 s.h.
              B. Exercise physiology - 36 s.h.
                Core - 21 s.h.
                • KINE 6207 - Physiology of Exercise
                • KINE 6208 - Cardiopulmonary Physiology
                • KINE 6209 - Advanced Exercise Prescription
                • KINE 6210 - Theory and Techniques in Bioenergetics
                • KINE 6212 - Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Diagnostic Procedures
                • KINE 6300 - Research Techniques in Kinesiology
                • KINE 6301 - Research Seminar in Kinesiology
                • KINE 6994 - Culminating Research Project
                General electives - 15 s.h.
                C. Physical education pedagogy - 36 s.h.
                  Core - 27 s.h.
                  • ADED 6550 - Leadership and Communication Skills in Education OR
                  • ELEM 6550 - Leadership and Communication Skills in Education

                  • EDUC 6001 - Introduction to Differences in Human Learning in Schools
                  • KINE 6101 - Technology, Assessment, and Differentiated Instruction in Physical Education
                  • KINE 6108 - Analysis of Teaching Practice in Physical Education
                  • KINE 6109 - Reflective Supervisor and Practitioner in Physical Education
                  • KINE 6110 - Global Perspectives and Content Knowledge in Physical Education
                  • KINE 6300 - Research Techniques in Kinesiology
                  • KINE 6301 - Research Seminar in Kinesiology
                  • KINE 6303 - Physical Activity Programs for Individuals with Developmental, Emotional, and Learning Disabilities
                  • KINE 6990 - Practicum in Kinesiology
                  • KINE 6991 - Practicum in Kinesiology
                  General electives - 9 s.h.
                  D. Sport and exercise psychology - 36 s.h.
                    Core - 15 s.h.
                    • BIOS 7021 - Biostatistics for Health Professionals I
                    • KINE 6300 - Research Techniques in Kinesiology
                    • KINE 6301 - Research Seminar in Kinesiology
                    • KINE 6650 - Seminar in Kinesiology (3 s.h.)
                    • KINE 6990 - Practicum in Kinesiology
                    • KINE 6991 - Practicum in Kinesiology
                    • KINE 6994 - Culminating Research Project
                    Restricted electives - 9 s.h.

                    Choose 3 courses from the following:

                    • KINE 6115 - Physical Activity and Public Health
                    • KINE 6202 - Motor Learning
                    • KINE 6401 - Assessment of Physical Activity and Fitness
                    • KINE 6440 - Exercise Psychology
                    • KINE 6445 - Sport Psychology
                    • KINE 6450 - Group Dynamics in Physical Activity and Sport
                    Approved electives - 12 s.h.
                  III. Licensure option

                  The licensure option is for physical education pedagogy concentration students seeking M-Licensure.

                    Core - 27 s.h.
                    • ADED 6550 - Leadership and Communication Skills in Education OR
                    • ELEM 6550 - Leadership and Communication Skills in Education

                    • EDUC 6001 - Introduction to Differences in Human Learning in Schools
                    • KINE 6101 - Technology, Assessment, and Differentiated Instruction in Physical Education
                    • KINE 6108 - Analysis of Teaching Practice in Physical Education
                    • KINE 6109 - Reflective Supervisor and Practitioner in Physical Education
                    • KINE 6110 - Global Perspectives and Content Knowledge in Physical Education
                    • KINE 6300 - Research Techniques in Kinesiology
                    • KINE 6301 - Research Seminar in Kinesiology
                    • KINE 6303 - Physical Activity Programs for Individuals with Developmental, Emotional, and Learning Disabilities
                    • KINE 6990 - Practicum in Kinesiology
                    • KINE 6991 - Practicum in Kinesiology
                    General electives - 9 s.h.
                    Comprehensive Assessment Requirement

                    All graduate programs at ECU require students to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment. The Kinesiology, MS requires the following:    - Thesis option: Successful completion of the thesis (KINE 7000)    - Non-thesis option: Comprehensive examination    - Licensure option: Action research project (KINE 6990, KINE 6991)

                      For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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