Master of Science in Kinesiology (Adapted Physical Activity)
Website: https://twu.edu/kinesiology/graduate-programs/adapted-physical-activity/
The purpose of the Master of Science degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Adapted Physical Activity (APA) is to prepare graduate students within two primary areas: PreK-12 adapted physical education (APE) and adapted sport and fitness. Graduates of the program are prepared for positions as teachers, supervisors, and coordinators of physical education/adapted physical activity in schools, colleges, and various community-based settings.
Marketable Skills
Marketable skills prepare students for success in a variety of professional settings. Developed through academic coursework, co-curricular engagement, and extracurricular involvement, these skills include communication, critical thinking, teamwork, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and digital literacy. Whether directly related to a student’s major or serving as complementary strengths, marketable skills enhance career readiness and reflect TWU’s commitment to producing graduates who are prepared to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.
- Assess physical activity and physical education needs of individuals with disabilities.
- Develop and implement evidence-based programming.
- Communicate and advocate for equitable opportunities for physical activity that enhance health and wellness.
- Develop the professional knowledge and skills necessary to obtain additional 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.
The 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
In addition to a focus in APE or APA, students may select from three program options within the M.S. in Kinesiology with the Adapted Physical Activity emphasis area.
Thesis Option: 30 semester credit hours (SCH).
Publishable Manuscript Option: 36 semester credit hours (SCH)
Internship/Professional Affiliation Option: 36 semester credit hours (SCH)
Thesis Option (30 SCH)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology Core | 6 | |
| Methods of Research | ||
| Applied Statistical Principles | ||
| Adapted Physical Activity Emphasis | 18 | |
| Select 18 SCH in consultation with advisor | ||
| Growth and Perceptual Motor Development for Individuals with Low Incidence Disabilities | ||
| Pedagogy I: Behavior Management in APE Environments | ||
| Pedagogy III: APA and the APENS Theory to Practice | ||
| Assessment in Adapted Physical Education | ||
| Pedagogy II: Instructional Strategies in APE Environments | ||
| APA II: Disability Sport and Fitness | ||
| APA I: Disability Sport and Fitness | ||
| Culminating Experience | 6 | |
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Total SCHs | 30 | |
Publishable Manuscript Option (36 SCH)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology Core | 6 | |
| Methods of Research | ||
| Applied Statistical Principles | ||
| Adapted Physical Activity Emphasis | 24 | |
| Select 24 SCH in consultation with advisor | ||
| Growth and Perceptual Motor Development for Individuals with Low Incidence Disabilities | ||
| Pedagogy I: Behavior Management in APE Environments | ||
| Pedagogy II: Instructional Strategies in APE Environments | ||
| Pedagogy III: APA and the APENS Theory to Practice | ||
| Assessment in Adapted Physical Education | ||
| APA I: Disability Sport and Fitness | ||
| APA II: Disability Sport and Fitness | ||
| Professional Paper and Project | ||
| Electives | 6 | |
Students with the advice of the faculty can select 6 SCH of electives. These courses can be within or outside the school. Most students choose to take courses in Special Education. | ||
| Total SCHs | 36 | |
Internship/Professional Affiliation Option (36 SCH)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology Core | 6 | |
| Methods of Research | ||
| Applied Statistical Principles | ||
| Adapted Physical Activity Emphasis | 24 | |
| Select 24 SCH in consultation with advisor | ||
| Growth and Perceptual Motor Development for Individuals with Low Incidence Disabilities | ||
| Pedagogy I: Behavior Management in APE Environments | ||
| Pedagogy II: Instructional Strategies in APE Environments | ||
| Pedagogy III: APA and the APENS Theory to Practice | ||
| Assessment in Adapted Physical Education | ||
| APA I: Disability Sport and Fitness | ||
| APA II: Disability Sport and Fitness | ||
| Professional Affiliation | ||
| Electives | 6 | |
Students with the advice of the faculty can select 6 SCH of electives. These courses can be within or outside the school. Most students choose to take courses in Special Education. | ||
| Total SCHs | 36 | |
SHPK Master's Program Policies
Culminating Experience
After completing 24 semester credit hours of required coursework (including core courses), School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology students are eligible to complete their culminating experience. Students in the Adapted Physical Activity emphasis area may choose one of three culminating options: 1) Thesis, 2) Publishable Manuscript, or 3) Internship/Professional Affiliation. Not all culminating experience options are available to students in all emphasis areas. Students are responsible for reviewing their emphasis area degree requirements, consulting with emphasis area faculty, and familiarizing themselves with the available options. Specific steps to complete each culminating experience option are located within the School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology (SHPK) Graduate Student Handbook.
Thesis
All School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology master’s students who select the thesis option are required to prepare, present, and orally defend a thesis reflecting substantial and independent research. The Thesis Research Committee must be formed according to Graduate School policies. Committees must include a minimum of three faculty members, with one faculty member being from outside the major/emphasis area. The School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology stipulates that a 10-class day reading period be granted to every research committee member for any thesis-related documents. No thesis research committee meetings may be scheduled or conducted during the last two weeks (last week of classes and finals week) of any semester. Refer to the Graduate School policy for Thesis grading options. Any student in SHPK receiving two consecutive enrolled semesters of LP (Lack of Adequate Progress) and/or NP (No Progress) grades or three cumulative semesters of LP and/or NP grades will be dismissed from the program.
Publishable Manuscript
All School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology master’s students who select the manuscript option must independently prepare a publishable manuscript reflecting substantial and original research. Students must consult with the major professor to define and refine the project's scope then form a three-person graduate faculty Manuscript Committee to include the major professor and two additional members. One member must be from outside the major/emphasis area. Students are expected to continue working on the manuscript to prepare and submit it for journal publication within the three months immediately following graduation. Use and adherence to a formal authorship agreement are highly recommended. Three consecutive months of insufficient progress will result in the major professor assuming authorship responsibilities toward publication.
Internship/Professional Affiliation
To complete an internship or professional affiliation, a master’s student must enroll in a three-hour internship/professional affiliation course. A student may not register for the internship/professional affiliation course if final grade(s) for core course(s) are pending or if the student has an incomplete grade pending for any core course. Each master’s student must contact their major professor to confirm eligibility and request approval to enroll in the internship/professional affiliation course.
The internship/professional affiliation site must be approved by the major professor and/or faculty member directing the internship/professional affiliation. The internship/professional affiliation must include at least 350 hours of site work for academic credit; however, the internship/professional affiliation site may require additional hours. Students must submit a log or logs of work hours completed and an evaluation of the internship/professional affiliation site. Students must also have the site supervisor submit two evaluations (midterm and final) to the internship/professional affiliation instructor.
National Certification Exam plus 250 Internship/Professional Affiliation Hours
The internship/professional affiliation must be completed according to the above internship/professional affiliation policy, but only 250 hours of site work are required. The major professor must approve the national certification exam before sitting for the exam. Students must pass the exam to be eligible for graduation.
