Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (Adapted Physical Activity)
Website: https://twu.edu/kinesiology/graduate-programs/adapted-physical-activity/
The School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology (SHPK) offers a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Adapted Physical Activity designed to prepare students to conduct high-quality research in the areas of physical activity, fitness, health, and sport for individuals experiencing disability or impairment.
Doctoral students are expected to work closely with faculty to develop the skills and competencies required to become independent, ethical, and skilled researchers, leaders, and educators. As the Ph.D. is a research degree, interested applicants must first identify and contact a potential graduate faculty advisor with whom research interests and goals align before applying.
The School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology personnel will review all application materials to select applicants for an interview. Final admission decisions will be determined upon review of all application materials, successful interview completion, program capacity, and availability of graduate faculty mentorship.
Marketable Skills
Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."
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Successfully utilize evidence-based practices in research that promote full and active participation to positively impact health outcomes and quality of life of individuals experiencing disability or impairment.
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Successfully translate research outcomes into school- and community-based physical activity, recreation, and sport settings to bridge the gap between research and practice.
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Lead and facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations to conduct holistic research studies that reduce health disparities.
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Engage in meaningful advocacy activities to promote systems, environments, and policies that support inclusion across diverse settings.
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Develop the professional knowledge and skills necessary to obtain adapted physical activity credentials (e.g., CAPE, CIFT, CARSS, CDSS).
Admissions
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
This academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.
Degree Requirements
Total Semester Credit Hours Required
96 semester credit hours, including approved semester credit hours from master’s level work and 6 semester credit hours for dissertation.
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| KINS 5033 | Applied Statistical Principles (Research tools) | 3 |
| KINS 6043 | Statistical Inference (Research tools) | 3 |
| KINS 6113 | Seminar | 3 |
| KINS 6143 | Research Design in Kinesiology (Research tools) | 3 |
| HSC 6831 | Integration of Theory and Research in Health Sciences | 1 |
| Emphasis Area (Must select one) | 77 | |
| Dissertation | ||
| KINS 6983 | Dissertation (I) | 3 |
| KINS 6993 | Dissertation (II) | 3 |
| Total SCHs | 96 | |
Adapted Physical Activity Emphasis
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| KINS 5603 | Growth and Perceptual Motor Development for Individuals with Low Incidence Disabilities | 3 |
| KINS 5853 | Assessment in Adapted Physical Education | 3 |
| KINS 5793 | Pedagogy I: Behavior Management in APE Environments | 3 |
| KINS 5863 | Pedagogy II: Instructional Strategies in APE Environments | 3 |
| KINS 5843 | Pedagogy III: APA and the APENS Theory to Practice | 3 |
| KINS 5963 | APA I: Disability Sport and Fitness | 3 |
| KINS 5883 | APA II: Disability Sport and Fitness | 3 |
| KINS 6611 | College Level Instructional Design and Delivery in Kinesiology (Taken a minimum of 3 times) | 3 |
| KINS 6711 | Advanced Research in Adapted Physical Activity Doctoral Seminar (Taken a minimum of 3 times) | 3 |
| KINS 6813 | Advanced Research in Kinesiology | 3 |
| Minor or Related Studies (As approved by Advisory Committee) | 24 | |
| May include | ||
| Social Constructs of Disabilities (Research Tools) | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods and Program Evaluation (Research Tools) | ||
| Advanced Qualitative Research Methods In Family Sciences (Research Tools) | ||
| Elective or Appropriate Courses from Master's Degree (As approved by Advisory Committee) | 23 | |
| May include | ||
| Professional Internship | ||
| Practicum: Appraisal in Adapted Physical Education | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| Effective College Teaching Methods | ||
| Total SCHs | 77 | |
Required Courses
13 semester credit hours.
Emphasis
77 semester credit hours, depending on emphasis area and recommendations of the Advisory Committee. Includes Minor or Related Studies and/or Electives and Appropriate Coursework from Master's Degree in consultation with the Advisory Committee.
Dissertation
Six semester credit hours.
Special Requirements
At least nine semester credit hours of course work must be taken outside the major.
Research Tools
The student in consultation with the Advisory Committee will determine 12 semester credit hours designated as research tools.
Qualifying Examination
The exam is comprised of four written sections over selected areas of the student’s emphases and an oral defense of written responses. May be repeated once.
Final Examination
Oral examination conducted by the Dissertation Committee over the candidate’s research after the dissertation is completed. May be repeated at the discretion of the committee.
