exercise science phd programs

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Ph.D. Exercise Science

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• Exercise & Kinesiology

Become an expert in the exercise science field

Our exercise science Ph.D. program will empower you to become a leading authority whether your career trajectory involves academia, private industry, research, or the government.

This is a full time, face-to-face, research-based doctoral program that includes 90 credit hours of graduate study taught by nationally and internationally recognized faculty.

You will receive training through a rigorous, mentor-based interdisciplinary curriculum with pedagogical and research experiences. You’ll also conduct applied and translational research focused on exercise science, which will help you enhance and prolong the quality of human life.

Meet the faculty from this area

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Teaching and research assistantships

A limited number of teaching assistantships are available, and research assistantships are available depending on grant funding. Assistantships include a tuition waiver, health insurance, and stipend. Research assistantships are required of Ph.D. students.

Find research mentors

The exercise science Ph.D. program provides ample opportunity to not only enhance one’s knowledge but also gain experience teaching and engage in research. The faculty within the program are phenomenal and always willing to help. Monica Teegardin, Ph.D. Student, Kinesiology

9% Expected growth rate of exercise physiologists from 2021-2031

$90 K Annual mean wage of doctorate exercise physiologists in the U.S., 2023

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Phd program.

Our doctorate program is the right path for you if you intend to build a career as a scholar, researcher, teacher, or industry professional in the science of human movement, kinesiology, or other allied health fields or biomedical science settings.

Program Overview

Students pursuing a PhD in Movement Science develop scholarly and research competence, culminating in an original doctoral dissertation contributing to the body of knowledge in kinesiology. The program is designed for students who intend to make their careers as scholars, teachers, researchers, and professionals in exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control, and allied fields.

Each doctoral student works closely with a faculty advisor from the beginning of their degree program. Under their faculty advisor’s guidance, they are expected to take relevant coursework, engage in relevant research experiences (lab rotations, independent study projects, etc.), generate research ideas, and complete a research dissertation prior to graduation.

A principal goal of doctoral student training is achieving competence as an independent scholar. This entails not only proficiency in research but in the dissemination of knowledge. To achieve this, students learn to guide the learning of others as a Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) or Graduate Student Instructor (GSI).

Doctoral students and their faculty advisors will form a Guidance Committee, Qualifying Examination Committee, and a Dissertation Committee to provide advice and evaluate student progress at successive stages of the program.

Movement Science PhD Curriculum

PhD students choose from a set of core courses in Kinesiology, as well as cognate courses from other units, and complete a minimum of 30 pre-candidacy credits beyond the master's level. Qualifying examinations must be passed before advancing to candidacy, after which the student completes an original doctoral dissertation. A minimum of 50 credits including pre-candidacy and candidacy work must be completed to graduate.

The courses you take will vary, depending on your educational goals.  Courses taken for graduate credit will carry MOVESCI or KINESLGY program codes, and are numbered 500 and above.

• Browse only KINESLGY courses in the Course Catalog
• Browse only MOVESCI courses in the Course Catalog
• Browse entire Course Catalog

Movement Science Graduate Faculty

Our Movement Science graduate faculty are leaders in their fields, and have a variety of interests and specialties. View the MVS graduate faculty list .

Forms & Bulletins

The Graduate Bulletin contains a wealth of information, including requirements for admissions, coursework, doctoral candidacy, and more. The Policies and Procedures page includes a wider selection of Bulletins, plus forms required for progress towards your PhD degree.

• Graduate Bulletin 2024-25
• Graduate Bulletin 2023-24
• Graduate Bulletin 2022-23
• Graduate Bulletin for MVS and SM Programs 2021-22
• Graduate Bulletin 2020-21
• Graduate Bulletin 2019-20
• Forms and Bulletins page on this website

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Health and Exercise Science, PhD in Kinesiology

Health and Exercise Science at Ohio State uses physiological- and behavior-based approaches to exercise science while expanding the breadth of your knowledge and experience of basic and applied laboratory and field-based research skills.

As a PhD student, you’ll choose the exercise physiology track or health and physical activity behavior track and be able to apply your knowledge for the: 

• research-based improvement of education conducted in schools, hospitals, clinics, community agencies and other work sites designed to enhance physical activity and health behavior. 
• appropriate use of physical activity and exercise in the prevention and treatment of chronic lifestyle diseases. 
• improvement of exercise and sport performance for recreational and elite athletes. 
• examination of the psychological and biological consequences of physical activity to determine the effects of exercise on mental health. 

Current Students Spotlight

Our students make essential contributions to the vibrant intellectual community of our program. Click below to learn more about some of our students’ interests and accomplishments.

Student profiles

Specializations 

Learn to understand and critically analyze the current literature, develop research hypotheses, design hypothesis-based experimental research, apply sound measurement techniques, and utilize appropriate statistical analyses related to exercise physiology.    You will cover many issues related to exercise science, including: exercise assessment; adaptation of skeletal muscle structure, function, and metabolic processes during the aging process; design and delivery of exercise programs; and treatment and prevention of chronic lifestyle and degenerative diseases. 

Apply principles of behavioral science to identify determinants and consequences of physical activity adoption and maintenance in a variety of populations and settings. Students will gain the skills to design, implement and evaluate programs and learn to apply behavioral sciences to promote health and physical activity behavior change.    The behaviorally based approach to exercise science uses contemporary behavioral science that includes: determinants of physical activity adoption; effective methods for maintenance of physical activity in varied populations and settings; and the psychological consequences of participating in exercise on a regular basis. 

Career Paths 

Funding Options 

Key to teaching, research and learning in the college, associateships provide students with professional experience and financial support. 

These financial awards are made by Ohio State to students based on academic merit through a university-wide competition. 

The college annually awards scholarships to its students to support their academic goals.  

Graduate program costs can depend on a variety of factors such as residency, number of credit hours, and number of semesters enrolled. The Graduate Admissions website provides an estimate of annual costs for Ohio residents, domestic non-residents, and international students. The Registrar’s Office provides more in-depth information about Tuition and Fees .

Degree Requirements

Prerequisites

Master’s degree

Expected time to degree

Deadline to apply

for funding consideration; then rolling admissions until cohort filled

Applications for the next admissions cycle will open September 1

Program start

Autumn Semester

View Health and Exercise Science (KINESIO-PH, HEN) Curriculum Sheet

Mode of Instruction

While some courses may be offered online, this degree requires in-person learning on the Columbus campus.

Prospective students are encouraged to complete an inquiry card so we can share information about virtual info sessions, opportunities to connect graduate students, program news and the admissions process.

Application checklist

View application checklist

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Exercise Science Ph.D.

About this Program

• In the Ph.D. program, you’ll work closely with exercise science faculty and collaborators on shared research interests in various dedicated laboratory facilities on campus, honing advanced skills in research design, methods, and statistics.
• Through research, you’ll create new knowledge to improve health policies, patient treatment plans, nutritional recommendations, athletic training, community interventions, and health access and equity initiatives.

Program Information

Degree Type

College or School

David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

Career Path

• Health and Human Services
• Science and Mathematics

Research design, methods and statistics are the foundations of required Ph.D. coursework, complimented by a wide variety of options for electives. Doctoral milestones include successful completion of a qualifying exam at the end of coursework, developing and defending a dissertation proposal, a completed dissertation, and a successful oral defense.

Laboratory Environments

The Department of Exercise Science houses several laboratories that support integrative research at the cellular, tissue, and whole organism level. Laboratories include:

• The Cardiovascular Laboratory: Conducts non-invasive assessment of vascular structure and function to explore the impact of exercise on emerging markers of cardiovascular disease risk.
• The Kinesmetrics Laboratory : Apply objective measurement tools to understand physical behaviors’ (sleep, sedentary behavior and physical activity) consequences on health.
• The Clinical Research Laboratory : Utilize metabolic testing facilities and wet lab space to measure cardio-metabolic risk factors—such as insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes—in obese populations.
• The Hypoxia/Altitude Simulation Laboratory: Assess the role of low oxygen (hypoxia) on human physical performance using a high-altitude simulation chamber.

Program Details

Research Community

You—and your research—will benefit from the guidance of exercise science faculty. Faculty are widely published, leading scholars in their fields, whose research is supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, American College of Sports Medicine, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and more. In addition, you have access to their network of collaborators and partner institutions.

Careers in Research and Teaching

With a Ph.D., you can lead a career in biomedical research for sport, health, and human performance:

• Faculty positions in university departments where exercise and human physical activity have emerged as major focus areas. For example, kinesiology, nutrition, public health, and others.
• Postdoctoral positions in a variety of settings (major universities, medical schools) for additional training in the area of expertise.
• Research careers in applied human physiology and/or human health, as exemplified by the research priorities of federal agencies such as NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Agency), NIH (The National Institutes of Health), and USARIEM (U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine).

Exercise Science, Ph.D.

Arnold School of Public Health

Join our mentor-based doctoral program that's ranked No. 1 in the nation and committed to advancing an increasingly valued discipline within public health, the medical community and even high-performance environments.

Prepare for a position in higher education, research institutes, clinical settings and more within the exercise science discipline of public health. Our department promotes an environment of excellence and achievement in human health and performance, emphasizing the translation and integration of research into practice and application.

Program Highlights

Top ranking.

Be a part of the department’s Ph.D. program, ranked No. 1 in the United States by the National Academy of Kinesiology.

Mentor-Based

Benefit from the supportive faculty and staff members who work endlessly to maintain and improve a collaborative program.

Design Your Program

Create an individual plan of study that's tailored to your unique research interests and career goals.

Awards and Opportunities

The program supports students with stipends and tuition assistance. Join exciting opportunities with an outstanding faculty.

What You’ll Study

Coursework in exercise science, statistics and research design provides a solid foundation in advanced research methods. The department's research labs further enhance training within the areas of specialization. Students will demonstrate a mastery of research within their specialization and be able to communicate their findings effectively.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems

Inspiring and guiding others to achieve common goals and reach their full potential

Foster learning by conveying knowledge, skills and concepts to students

Scientific Writing

Communicating scientific research and findings in a clear, accurate and compelling manner

Human Health

Fostering well-being, preventing diseases and optimizing physical, mental and social aspects of individuals' well-being

Physical Activity

Participating in exercises, sports or movement to promote fitness, health and overall well-being

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Potential Careers

Workplace settings.

• Exercise Science Industry

While I had been familiar with the prestige and history of the exercise science department and Arnold School of Public Health, it was the compassion, dedication and openness of the faculty that truly impacted my decision to attend USC.

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UMass Boston

• Exercise & Health Sciences PhD

Accelerate your EHS career, improve lives.

UMass Boston's Exercise and Health Sciences doctoral program is a firmly research-based, interdisciplinary program. Your primary area of research will align closely with the research of a specific faculty advisor in the Department who you chose to work with.

The faculty’s broad expertise ranges from the cellular and molecular level (molecular mechanisms) to the society at large (community and population studies), with many collaborative research efforts focused on exercise physiology, behavior science, and physical activity and health promotion in diverse populations across the lifespan. You will also have the opportunity to explore other areas of interest in the form of directed research and elective courses, which will help you to become a more well-rounded researcher.

Emerge from this program prepared to:

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of fundamental concepts of exercise science and/or health promotion
• Conduct systemic inquiry and apply critical thinking to evaluate scientific literature relevant to the specialization area in exercise science and health promotion
• Use an appropriate theoretical framework and quantitative and/or qualitative methods to acquire, analyze and interpret data
• Disseminate scientific findings at local, national, and global levels through publications and presentations
• Demonstrate leadership as a researcher and educator to promote physical activity and improve health in diverse populations

Career Possibilities

Work in a clinical or research setting to assess patients’ fitness levels and and design programs tailored to their needs as an exercise physiologist. Improve the lives of a corporation’s employees as a health and wellness coordinator. Or, focus on the health and wellbeing of entire communities as a health promotion specialist. These are just a few of the possibilities.

Become a(n):

• Exercise physiologist
• Corporate Wellness Specialist
• Health Promoter
• Personal Trainer
• Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist

Download the Exercise & Health Sciences PhD Fact Sheet.

Attend An Info Session    --> Start Your Application

Plan Your Education

How to apply.

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• A completed application form
• The specific interest and rationale for pursuing a PhD in exercise and health, and career goals after completing the PhD studies
• Current major research and interests in the fields of exercise or health sciences (we strongly recommend that applicants contact EHS faculty directly concerning their research interests before applying)
• Official transcripts from all schools attended
• Three references
• TOEFL scores, if applicable (UMass Boston's institution code is 3924)
• Résumé

Deadlines & Cost

Deadlines: February 1 (priority) and April 1 (final) for fall, October 1 (priority) or December 1 (final) for spring

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Program Cost Information: Bursar's website

Graduate Assistantship Information: The EHS Department offers two types of Graduate Assistantships: Teaching Assistantship (TA) and Research Assistantship (RA). TAs primarily work with faculty instructors who teach undergraduate classes. RAs are generally offered by a specific faculty member who has active research fundings and students primarily work with the specific faculty member on their research projects.

For RAs, it is highly recommended to reach out directly to individual faculty to determine if their research interests match with yours and if there is an opening for a graduate student. Please also include the faculty member who you would like to work with in your personal statement for your application.

BS to PhD Route

Required master’s level courses (15 credits).

• EHS 625L - Quantitative Research Methods 3 Credit(s)
• EHS 630 - Advanced Health Fitness and Nutrition Assessment 3 Credit(s)
• EHS 655 - Advanced Physical Activity and Health 3 Credit(s)
• EHS 685 - Applied Exercise Physiology 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 760 - Introduction to Biostatistics: Biostatistics I 3 Credit(s)

Concentration Courses (6 Credits)

Complete two courses from one of the concentrations below.

Applied Exercise Physiology Concentration

• EHS 680 - Clinical Exercise Physiology 3 Credit(s)
• EHS 682 - Exercise Metabolism 3 Credit(s)

Physical Activity and Health Promotion Concentration

• EHS 656 - Advanced Nutrition and Health 3 Credit(s)
• EHS 670 - Designing Exercise and Health Promotion Interventions 3 Credit(s)

Required Doctoral Level Courses (12 Credits)

• EHS 825L - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods I 3 Credit(s)
• EHS 887 - Advanced Topics in Exercise and Health Sciences 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 705 - Health Disparities 3 Credit(s) OR
• NURSNG 757 - Social Behavioral Determinants of Health 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 770 - Biostatistics II: Advanced Statistical Methods in Healthcare Research 3 Credit(s)

Electives (12 Credits)

Complete four additional courses offered by Nursing or other departments (e.g. Gerontology, Psychology, and Biology).

Dissertation/Research Courses (30 Credits)

Complete 30 credits from below with at least 18 credits of dissertation study.

• EHS 898 - Directed Research in Exercise and Health Sciences 1-6 Credit(s)
• EHS 899 - Dissertation 1-6 Credit(s)

MS to PhD Route

Required courses (12 credits).

• NURSNG 705 - Health Disparities 3 Credit(s)

Electives (6 Credits)

Complete two additional courses offered by Nursing or other departments (e.g. Gerontology, Psychology, and Biology).

Dissertation/Research Courses (24 Credits)

Complete 24 credits from below with at least 18 credits of dissertation study and no more than 6 credits of directed research.

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog .

Graduation Criteria

Complete 75 credits from at least 17 courses including five required master’s level courses, two concentration courses, four required doctoral level courses, four electives, and 30 credits of dissertation/research courses.

Concentration: Select a concentration in applied exercise physiology or physical activity and health promotion. Doctoral candidacy: Candidates must pass a written qualifying exam at a time to be designated by the student’s pre-dissertation committee. Content covered in the exam is agreed upon by the major faculty advisor and the student. The exam will be completed over the course of several days within a two-week period. Students must pass all areas on either the first or second try before being allowed to continue in the program and work on their dissertation proposal. Dissertation: Candidates must propose and ultimately compose and defend a dissertation based on original research. The dissertation document will include an introduction, rationale and hypothesis, review of the literature, description of methods, presentation of results, and discussion of the relevance of the study’s findings to the field at large. The results of the research will be presented in manuscript-ready format, including two or more separate papers that are ready to be submitted to peer-reviewed journals. The student will be required to submit at least one of these papers to a journal prior to orally defending their dissertation; the paper must be under peer review to meet this requirement.

Statute of limitations: Eight years.

Complete 42 credits from seven or eight courses including four required courses, two electives, and one to two dissertation/research courses.

Doctoral candidacy: Candidates must pass a written qualifying exam at a time to be designated by the student’s pre-dissertation committee. Content covered in the exam is agreed upon by the major faculty advisor and the student. The exam will be completed over the course of several days within a two-week period. Students must pass all areas on either the first or second try before being allowed to continue in the program and work on their dissertation proposal. Dissertation: Candidates must propose and ultimately compose and defend a dissertation based on original research. The dissertation document will include an introduction, rationale and hypothesis, review of the literature, description of methods, presentation of results, and discussion of the relevance of the study’s findings to the field at large. The results of the research will be presented in manuscript-ready format, including two or more separate papers that are ready to be submitted to peer-reviewed journals. The student will be required to submit at least one of these papers to a journal prior to orally defending their dissertation; the paper must be under peer review to meet this requirement.

Graduate Program Director Kai Zou kai.zou [at] umb.edu (617) 287-7282

Program Assistant Lourdes Ortiz Tapper lourdes.ortiz-tapper [at] umb.edu (617) 287-7594

Exercise & Health Sciences Graduate Programs [email protected]

Exercise & Health Sciences

Learn more about UMass Boston's Exercise & Health Sciences department, our research, and our faculty.

Manning College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Learn more about the faculty, research, and programs that make up our Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences.