Doctoral Programs
The Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies (KHS) within the College of Education is pleased to announce that on July 1, 2009 the WSU Board of Governors approved the establishment of a Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Kinesiology effective the fall semester of 2009. The new Ph.D. in Kinesiology program will prepare students to become teachers and researchers at institutions and other venues requiring Ph.D.-trained professionals. Students may select concentrations in either Exercise and Sport Science or Physical Education Pedagogy. Furthermore, students will be offered unique opportunities to conduct research in urban settings and to develop a breadth of knowledge across related disciplines such as nutrition, physical therapy, medicine and education. The program will follow policies and procedures for Ph.D. programs already established by the WSU Graduate School and by the College of Education. It requires a minimum of 100 credit hours including: 30 credits of dissertation; statistics and research methods courses; doctoral seminars; and cognate and elective courses. Normally, students who make regular progress should be able to complete the degree requirements in four years.
The doctoral program will prepare the next generation of researchers and scholars in Kinesiology. These individuals also are expected to become outstanding teachers and leaders in their respective fields. Our doctoral students will obtain professional communication skills that are appropriate to their specialization. These skills will be refined through regular participation in scientific conferences and scholarly presentations. Students will have access to a broad array resources available at Carnegie I level research institutions.
KHS faculty members have a scholarly achievement record commensurate with faculty in similar programs that offer doctoral degrees in Kinesiology. The new Ph.D. program in Kinesiology will enable faculty with doctoral students to pursue larger and more ambitions research programs. In addition, it will help the KHS division attract new faculty who have aggressive research agendas. The potential impact is great. Nationally, Wayne State’s program will be one of only five doctoral programs offered by urban institutions. This new program gives us a unique opportunity to offer a state-of-the-art doctoral program, and to conduct cutting-edge research addressing urban issues and problems. An example is examining the dimensions of active living communities, obesity, and levels of physical ac-tivity in urban settings.
Physical Education Pedagogy and Exercise and Sport Science concentrations will offer graduate students access to laboratories and opportunities to plan and conduct research viable for publication. Peer learning through laboratory working groups is an important component of doctoral programs in Kinesiology. Laboratory groups will examine and debate the merits of potential research topics and agendas. Lastly, an increased level of vigor will lead to an increased level of external funding for research and student support.
The Ph.D. program in Kinesiology will prepare students to become teachers and researchers at academic institutions and other venues requiring Ph.D.-trained professionals.
The Exercise and Sport Science concentration offers students unique research opportunities in an urban setting as well as study and research options with other units such as Nutrition and Food Science, Physical Therapy and the School of Medicine.
The Physical Education Pedagogy concentration students benefit from a strong faculty research program in physical education pedagogy and access to other units in the College of Education. These provide students with both a unique and wide range of study.
The application deadline is March 1st for the following fall semester.