Kinesiology, M.S.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master’s degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions  section in this catalog for complete information. In addition, applicants to the graduate program in Kinesiology, must submit to the Kinesiology graduate program: (1) transcripts showing completion of an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology (or equivalent field) with a grade-point average of at least 3.2 in upper-division major coursework; (2) Graduate Record Exam general test results with recommended minimum scores of 450 for the Verbal, 450 for the Quantitative and 3.5 for Analytical Writing; (3) a 500-word essay describing the applicant’s academic/professional interests, which also identifies a specific Advising Track(s) of interest and, where possible, specific faculty with whom they wish to work; and (4) two letters of recommendation, preferably from former faculty who can address their academic ability and potential for success in graduate school.

Students who meet the general university requirements, but do not meet the Kinesiology degree requirements, may apply to the university for postbaccalaureate-unclassified standing. Any student without an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Physical Education, or a related field must complete a prescribed set of undergraduate coursework (usually about 12 units) with a gradepoint average of at least 3.0. Any student with a grade-point average deficiency must complete additional undergraduate coursework as specified by the Kinesiology graduate program adviser. Once all admission requirements are subsequently met, a change of program may be requested from postbaccalaureate-unclassified standing to conditionally classified in Kinesiology.

Classified Standing

Classified standing requires the development of a study plan (see below) approved by the faculty adviser, graduate studies committee, kinesiology graduate program adviser, and office of graduate studies. No more than nine units of graduate work taken before classification may be included on the study plan. Any changes to the study plan after classified standing is granted must be approved in advance, in writing, by the Kinesiology graduate program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to candidacy is attained by requesting a graduation check in the semester prior to graduation (see class schedule for deadlines) and receiving subsequent approval from the graduate studies adviser on the grad check completion review form, mailed by the Graduate Studies Office. Students not completing requirements by the graduation date specified on the original graduation check must contact the Graduate Studies Office.

Graduate Study Plan

(30 UNITS)

The study plan must include KNES 508  and KNES 510  (which fulfills the graduate level writing requirement), and at least two advanced study courses, one in the student’s major academic area of interest and one in a minor or supporting academic area. The study plan also must include 15 units of electives selected from one of six advising tracks: clinical exercise science, fitness and health promotion, gerokinesiology, pedagogical studies, performance enhancement/sport psychology/sport studies, or special studies. Finally, the study plan must include one of three culminating experience options: a thesis, a project, or a comprehensive examination.

Total (30 units)