Kinesiology student running an exercise test with researcher

Tomorrow Needs You. Are You Ready?

Receive a graduate education from an accredited institution.

Kinesiology—MS

Pursue a career in cardiac rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, fitness training and management, sports administration, or research/teaching in health and kinesiology. Collaborate with faculty and students in areas such as biological sciences, human factors, and biomedical engineering to prepare yourself for this high-impact profession. Are you ready?

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Overview

With the master's in kinesiology program, cross-train your brain in our partnered clinical facilities and state-of-the-art labs and push the boundaries of body mechanics. Students who select the thesis option conduct research in rehabilitation, biomechanics, and/or sports performance, with a focus on their effects on health and physical capacity. The coursework option, is defined by an intensive clinical internship, typically in cardiac rehabilitation or strength and conditioning. In addition to the internship, students may choose research and participate in lab meetings with combined undergraduate and graduate teams.

Delivery Options
- Accelerated: MS
- On-Campus: MS

Kinesiology Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the kinesiology program at Michigan Tech. For international students, Kinesiology is a designated STEM program.

On-Campus Programs

MS, Kinesiology: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Kinesiology: Coursework Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate School. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Accelerated MS, Kinesiology

Bachelor's + 1 Year = Master's Degree

Our accelerated master's degree program is a faster, easier way for Michigan Tech students to earn a master's degree. Up to nine approved credits from your bachelor's degree can be applied towards your accelerated master's degree. Consult your graduate program director for your individualized plan. If you're thinking about pursuing a master's following your bachelor's this option may be the right choice for you.

Additional Accelerated Master's Program Details

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about kinesiology at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

Contact

Graduate Director

Carolyn Duncan

Graduate Assistant

Megan Johnson

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your kinesiology MS. Sample areas include:

Strength and Conditioning
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Health and Fitness
Exercise and Stress Physiology
Neural Control of Circulation

View full listing for this program

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts or test scores are needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps. International applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $10 processing fee per application.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Admissions Options

Michigan Tech offers several admissions options in order to meet the educational needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. Students should review the options available to them and apply for the program that will best help them achieve their personal educational goals.

See Admissions Options

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Program Specific

2 Letters of Recommendation
Résumé / Curriculum vitae
GRE not required

International Students

TOEFL: Recommended Score of 85 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Overall Band Score of at least 6.5

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 79 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decision

Made on a rolling basis.

Recommended Deadline

Apply at least a semester in advance of projected admission.

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Accelerated Master's Requirements

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Specific

2 Letters of Recommendation
Overall GPA of 3.0 or greater
Résumé/ Curriculum vitae

Eligible Undergraduate Majors

Exercise Science
Sports and Fitness Management
Biological Sciences (pre-professional option)
Biomedical Engineering

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

Who You'll Work With

Discovery-based labs and clinical environments push the boundaries of innovation. You’ll work on the development of novel wearable technologies, research sports performance and rehabilitation, or gain understanding about how we use technology to assess and improve our health.

Where You'll Work

Our state-of-the-art research labs are funded by state, federal, and industry grants. Faculty and students work in a clinical environment with both cardiac rehabilitation specialists and strength and conditioning coaches at the collegiate or professional level. After graduation, our students pursue doctoral programs and careers in academia, careers with collegiate or professional sports teams, or in clinical or hospital settings.

Faculty Spotlight

Steven Elmer

Steve Elmer

Associate Professor, Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology

"Kinesiology involves the study of physical activity and its impact on human health."

Four out of five US adults do not get the recommended amount of weekly exercise. Our research is focused on understanding how skeletal muscles work so that we can develop better exercise programs to improve muscle strength, mobility, and overall health.

Program Faculty