Kinesiology
Master of Science
The Department of Kinesiology and Health Science offers a Master of Science (MS) in Kinesiology with specialization in Exercise Science. This program provides a comprehensive background in the physical, biological, and mechanical sciences and prepares students for advanced study and professional applications in exercise physiology, biomechanics, neuroscience, and other related fields.
Graduate study in kinesiology provide students with advanced course work, research, and applied learning experiences that foster deeper understanding of human movement, health, and performance. Students worke closely with faculty mentors to develop expertise in areas aligned with their academic and professional interests while preparing for careers in research, higher education, industry, and the health professions.
The program also provides strong preparation for students planning to pursue doctoral study or professional education in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, and other health related fields.
Potential Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Kinesiology MS program are prepared for a variety of career paths and advanced educational opportunities. The program provides excellent preparation for doctoral study as well as professional programs in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, and other health professions.
Employment opportunities are commonly found in:
- university instructor or research technician,
- preparation for doctoral (PhD) study and academic careers,
- research and development within the fitness and health industries,
- governmental research organizations, including military and aerospace research, and
- clinical and allied health professions through continued professional education.
For additional program information, view the program details in the USU Catalog or USU Degree Finder.
Graduate Program Coordinator
Melissa Johnson
Program Coordinator II
Kinesiology and Health Science
Program Director
Brennan Thompson
Associate Professor
Kinesiology and Health Science
Admissions
Candidates for the exercise science specialization are preferred to have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline such as Kinesiology, Exercise, or Sport Sciences. If a candidate has earned a degree in another field they could still be considered for admission in this program but may be required to complete prerequisite undergraduate courses such as Human Anatomy & Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, and Anatomical Kinesiology.
Application Requirements
Applicants desiring to enroll in the Kinesiology Master of Science program must be admitted to the Utah State University School of Graduate studies. As students start an application they will create a log-in that will allow them to come back in and complete their applications. The application has two parts, the initial application and the supplemental items. Students must complete the initial application and pay the application fee before you can access the supplemental materials.
The supplemental materials require the following:
- Provide transcripts from all previously-attended colleges and universities to be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies. USU alumni do not need to provide USU transcripts; the School of Graduate Studies have access and will pull them for you.
Transcripts sent by physical mail should be mailed to:
School of Graduate Studies
Utah State University
0900 Old Main Hill
Logan, Ut 84322-0900
Transcripts sent through the electronic clearinghouse should be emailed to graduateadmissions@usu.edu.
- Admission GPA of 3.0 or above. The admissions GPA is calculated based on the applicant’s cumulative undergraduate GPA.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation. All letters of recommendation should be professional references and at least two (2) letters should come from faculty members.
- Letters come directly from the referee, not the students. Students will include the contact information for referees in the application. The referees will then be contacted with instructions to submit the letters for the student.
- Statement of purpose responding to and addressing the questions stated in the prompt below:
- Prompt:
In 500 words or less, please address the following questions:
- Motivation for Graduate Studies: What inspires you to pursue a graduate degree in Kinesiology, and how does this align with your career aspirations? Describe how a master’s degree in Kinesiology will support your professional goals.
- Area of Interest: Discuss the specific area(s) of interest within Kinesiology that you are most passionate about. How do these interests align with your long-term career plans?
- Program Fit: With over 200 graduate programs in Kinesiology across the United States, why have you chosen to apply to the master’s program at USU specifically? What aspects of our program appeal to you?
- Scholarly Experience: If applicable, describe any undergraduate research or applied experience you have. Include your role, any presentations or publications, and how this experience has prepared you for graduate-level study.
- Preferred Mentor: Based on your areas of interest, which faculty mentor in the program would you like to work with? You are strongly encouraged to talk to this mentor before applying.
- Prompt:
- International students have additional requirements to meet
- Copy of passport
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
- Certified English Translations of Transcripts
For more information visit the USU Grad School website, steps to apply.
Admission Deadlines
Fall semester (August start date)
July 1 domestic students
May 1 for international students
Spring Semester (January start date)
December 1
Estimated Cost of the Program
$15,698.30*
*Tuition and fees vary based on factors such as residency, student location (zip code), number of credits taken, and student level (undergraduate vs. graduate). Rates also change each year. This estimate assumes a Utah resident studying in the Logan area, completing the program in two years (four semesters), based on the current year’s tuition and fees.
USU Registrar Tuition & Payment 2026-2027 Tuition and Fee Table
Assistanships
The KHS Department offers graduate assistantship (GA) opportunities for students in Logan, Utah, who have been accepted into a KHS graduate program. To be considered for a GA position, students must complete both the GA application (submitted directly to the department) and the Graduate School admissions application by March 1. Assistantship positions are awarded for the Fall and Spring semesters.
More information: KHS Graduate Assistantships
Program Requirements
The Kinesiology MS program follows the School of Graduate Studies' plan types, which classify students based on their culminating experience. Students complete either Plan A (Thesis) or Plan B (Creative Project) while pursuing a pathway that aligns with their educational and professional goals.
Research Pathway (Plan A or Plan B): Students engage in original research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. This pathway includes developing a research question, designing and conducting a study, collecting and analyzing data, and communicating findings through either a formal thesis (Plan A) or a scholarly manuscript written in the style of a peer-reviewed journal article (Plan B). This pathway is well suited for students interested in doctoral study, research careers, or other research-intensive professions.
Applied/Literature-Informed Pathway (Plan B): Students engage in comprehensive literature reviews and supervised applied experiences under the guidance of a faculty mentor. As the culminating experience for this Plan B option, students produce a scholarly paper grounded in evidence-informed practice. This pathway is designed for students preparing for applied careers in health, human performance, wellness, and related fields while meeting the same standards of graduate scholarship as the Research pathway.
New Student Orientation
The KIN MS program hosts an orientation session for all incoming students. Students will receive information about the orientation after admission from the program director.
Advising
Graduate students are supported by both the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) and their faculty mentor (major professor). Together, they help students develop a plan of study, satisfy degree requirements, complete program milestones, and make progress toward earning a degree.
Graduate Program Coordinator
Graduate Program Coordinators (GPCs) are an important connection between graduate students, their departments, and the School of Graduate Studies. GPCs assist with graduate school paperwork, registration issues, deadlines, and degree completion requirements. They are often the first point of contact for student questions or concerns. If you're unsure who to contact, start with the GPC.
Faculty Mentor (Major Professor)
Students work with a faculty mentor who provides academic, research, and professional guidance throughout the program. Faculty mentors supervise each student's research project, assist with course selection, and help students achieve their educational and career goals. Applicants are expected to identify and communite with a prosepective faculty mentor before applying to the program.
Culminating Experience
In addition to completing graduate coursework, students complete a culminating scholarly experience under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Whether pursuing the Research or Applied/Literature-Informed pathway, students work closely with faculty to integrate advanced knowledge, critical thinking, and scholarly inquiry while preparing for careers in research, professional practice, or continued graduate education.
Research Project
Students in the Research Pathway conduct original research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. This experience includes developing a research question, designing and conducting a study, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, and communicating findings through either a formal thesis (Plan A) or a scholarly manuscript written in the style of a peer-reviewed journal article (Plan B).
- First Semester: Meet with a faculty mentor/advisor to develop a research idea.
- Second Semester: Develop a research proposal, meet with your supervisory committee, and submit your proposal to the Institutional Review Board (IRB), when applicable.
- Third Semester: After IRB approval, conduct data collection and analyze results
- Fourth Semester: Complete and defend the thesis or finalize the scholarly
Applied/Literature Informed Experience
Students in the Applied/Literature-Informed Pathway engage in literature-informed scholarship and supervised applied experiences under the guidance of a faculty mentor. This experience emphasizes the integration of research evidence with professional practice through comprehensive literature review, critical analysis, and applied learning. Students complete a scholarly paper based on evidence-informed practice that demonstrates the application of current research to real-world professional settings. This pathway is ideal for students preparing for applied careers in health, human performance, wellness, and related fields.
General Program Requirements
The main goal of this degree is to develop advanced skills for a career in health and fitness. The curriculum is designed to meet professional standards, but faculty advisors will help each student create a program that fits their background and career goals. With committee approval, students may take elective courses outside the listed program. Well-prepared students who have completed parts of the core curriculum may substitute a required core course with a kinesiology-related course that offers strong content.
- At least 15 credits must be at the 6000 level or above.
- Coursework below the 5000 level should be outside the student's graduate field and must be approved.
- Undergraduate or prerequisite courses are not included in the POS.
- Up to 12 transfer credits earned before starting at USU may count toward the program with approval and must be reported to the GPC.
- Credits in foreign languages, continuing graduate advisement, individual home study, military science, and courses below the 5000 level are not accepted.
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Minimum GPA* | 3.0 |
| Minimum Grade* | C |
| Completion of Research or Master Project requirement | |
| Completion of all required Graduate School forms | |
*To earn a 3.0 GPA or higher, students must maintain a B average or better. While grades of C are allowed, they lower the overall GPA. To offset a C grade, students must earn A grades in two other courses with equivalent credits.