The Exercise Science graduate program focuses on training proficient, knowledgeable, and technically experienced leaders in the field of Kinesiology. It specifically develops competency in four distinct areas: academic fluency, scientific proficiency, practical application, and professionalism. The rigors and time commitment of the graduate program rewards and requires a high level of maturity, personal initiative, drive, passion, and responsibility. While the time commitment is high, most of the students attracted to this program are interested in investing a significant amount of time learning about and gaining experience in the field.
In the exercise science community, research is the foundation of our knowledge base. It creates the basis for an effective and positive impact on performance and health outcomes. Our program is centered on laboratory experience to ensure that each student understands and appreciates this foundation. This provides a valuable background for all students, regardless of their future career.
While both the master's and doctoral programs in Exercise Science are research-oriented, doctoral students tend to take on tasks requiring a higher degree of accountability and responsibility. Doctoral responsibilities may include helping to manage or run studies or other projects, supervise master's and undergraduate students, analyze data, and prepare manuscripts for publication.
Senior doctoral students often are presented with different types of projects from their advisor. The doctoral student then works with the project team to:
Arrange meeting times,
Develop a plan for the execution of the project,
Present the plan to the team and work to refine and build consensus on the plan with the team (such as standard exercise procedures, the order of tasks, or when forms are to be updated),
Guide students through mock trials of each aspect of the project to ensure consensus and consistency in each step of the subject training or data collection process,
Assign students to complete various aspects of the project (such as ensuring materials are prepared for each day, scheduling, or small tasks),
Regularly monitor projects to ensure smooth progress and to ensure that standards for all aspects of each project are met.
