Applying to the Master of Science Program

Field Experience and Employment

Culminating Experience

Additional Information

Master of Science in Kinesiology

Download Information for M.S. Degree

The Master of Science Program offers advanced study in Kinesiology to qualify graduates to enter fields at occupational levels requiring a Masters Degree. Graduate students experience hands-on learning in some of the best laboratory facilities in the State, in the classroom and in the emerging Center for Obesity Prevention and Education. The members of the graduate faculty are leaders in their areas of expertise. The program offers a Thesis Option and Non-Theisis Option for students and is designed to strengthen the breadth and depth of the student's academic preparation in Kinesiology and its sub-disciplines. The program incorporates the theoretical, scientific, and practical knowledge in exercise, health, nutrition, sport and physical activity as applied in preventive, clinical, educational and commercial settings.

Graduates are prepared for work in a wide range of enterprises that include worksite health promotion, clinical exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, commercial fitness, public/private or non-profit health agencies, obesity/diabetes and heart disease prevention in community settings, teaching/coaching at the community college level, independant research in the field of specialization, or continued graduate study at doctoral granting institutions. We are proud of our program and our graduates have developed an excellent reputation across the region.

Requirements for the Degree

The Formal study plan must include 45 quarter units of course work approved by the graduate committee. The coursework on the formal study plan is designed to prepare the student to achieve his/her stated career objective. At least 30 of the units must be completed at the 500-level in Kinesiology.

Photograph of a woman running on a monitoring treadmill while two other people monitor her

Up to 15 units may be taken in the 400/500-level courses outside of the Kinesiology Department with graduate commitee approval provided these courses were not required as part of the undergraduate degree program. Only 12 units of 400-level kinesiology courses may be put on the formal study plan. Graduate students taking 400-level courses are required to complete assingments beyond those normally required by the undergraduate students and are graded more rigorously.

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At least 32 units on the formal study plan must be completed in residence and no more than 9 units of graduate commitee approved extension courses may be included on the formal study plan.

Photograph of two notebooks stacked on top of each other

Each candidate must successfully complete a culminating experience before the degree is granted. The requirement can take one of two forms: (1) those students following the Thesis Option must successfully propose and defend the thesis of project in an oral examination, or (2) those students following the Non-Thesis Option must pass a comprehensive examination dealing with current general knowledge in the discipline of kinesiology and the application of coursework taken on the formal study plan. In addition all candidates must meet the current California State University Graduation Writing Requirement.

Important If the degree requirements are not completed within 7 years, the student will need to complete additional requirements as determined by the graduate committee.