Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (Exercise Physiology)
Website: https://twu.edu/kinesiology/graduate-programs/exercise-physiology/
Exercise physiologists typically work with two different clients: those who are healthy and are trying to improve their fitness and strength levels, and those who need to improve their health and fitness levels to fight diseases, obesity, or other chronic conditions. TWU provides hands-on learning to our students. We combine lectures with applied exercises in the lab. You will get experience reading and analyzing data output from state-of-the-art equipment.
As a doctoral student, you perform research of interest to you, with opportunities to collaborate with faculty in other TWU programs, such as biology, nutrition, and public health.
This program requires 96 credit hours, including credit hours from graduate-level work and six semester credit hours for dissertation.
Six undergraduate hours in Exercise Physiology are required for this program. You also must select a minor in a related research interest area such as biology, chemistry, nutrition, or public health.
You can graduate with your Ph.D. in three years, if you attend full-time and have a master's degree in Exercise Physiology (or a related field). Without an Exercise Physiology or related master's, it will take you at least five years to earn your doctorate.
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."
1. Conduct appropriate statistical methods and research design to data related to exercise science.
2. Evaluate the influence of varying environments with exercise responses and training.
3. Identify risk factors related to metabolic diseases and interpret how exercise may reduce relevant risk factors.
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 | |
Exercise Physiology Emphasis
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| KINS 5553 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KINS 5573 | Graded Exercise Testing | 3 |
| KINS 5583 | Hormonal Responses during Exercise | 3 |
| KINS 5613 | Cardiovascular Response to Exercise | 3 |
| KINS 5683 | Exercise Evaluation and Prescription | 3 |
| KINS 6821 | Research in Exercise Physiology (Taken 3 times) | 3 |
| KINS 6813 | Advanced Research in Kinesiology (Taken 3 times) | 9 |
| Minor or Related Studies (As approved by Advisory Committee) | 15 | |
| Elective or Appropriate Work from Master's Degree (As approved by Advisory Committee) | 35 | |
| 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.
