Kinesiology — MS, DPT, PhD, Minor
Degree Programs
- Exercise, Performance and Health Optimization — MS
- Exercise Science — MS
- Kinesiology — PhD
- Physical Therapy — DPT
Graduate Minor
The School of Kinesiology offers graduate degree programs leading to a master of science (non-thesis and thesis options) and doctor of philosophy. The school’s advanced programs prepare students for careers in sport performance, health optimization, fitness program management for community and corporate settings, the allied health, fitness and sport-related industry, as well as teaching and research in educational settings.
Master’s Degree Programs (MS)
Master’s programs are offered in exercise, performance, and health optimization; and exercise science. Specialized areas of study include biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor neuroscience, physical activity and health, pedagogy and post-certification athletic training.
Applicants to MS programs must satisfy the Graduate School’s admission requirements. School of Kinesiology admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, academic good standing at the institution last attended, an undergraduate minimum GPA of 2.75, competitive GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and School approval.
Degree requirements for all non-thesis master’s programs include a minimum of 33 hours and 36 hours for thesis master's programs. All non-thesis master's degrees require a written comprehensive exam.
Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Program (DPT)
Auburn University's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program offers an entry-level degree. The program will admit 38 students annually into every cohort. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree and will be eligible to take the national licensure exam for physical therapists. Auburn's charter cohort of students will start in May 2025. Admission to the DPT program will occur once a year, with applications opening in the fall of each year. The application deadlines can be found on our Prospective Students page. Each new cohort of students will begin their course work in May of the year they are admitted.
The Auburn University Physical Therapy program at the School of Kinesiology creates a learning environment that promotes health and equity of our community. Surrounded by experienced faculty engaged across the aim of education, research, and clinical practice, our students will work collaboratively with expert clinicians immersed in the contemporary clinical environment, researchers who incorporate new discovery in the classroom, and master educators who integrate new knowledge through the best practices in the learning sciences. We take a learner-centered approach to education that will provide active, flexible, and individualized learning opportunities supported through coaching and mentoring and an assessment philosophy that is focused on continuous growth and improvement.
The three-year, nine-semester program engages students in enriching learning experiences that will involve' patients in the academic and clinical settings. Classes feature case studies, grand rounds, and training at off-site clinical locations. Students will encounter increasingly complex cases as they move through the curriculum. Part time integrated clinical experiences and full-time clinical education begin early and are distributed throughout the curriculum to provide real-world experience and deeper experiential learning.
Before graduates from accredited physical therapy programs can practice physical therapy, they must pass a licensure board examination. Once the license examination has been passed, graduates are entitled to practice physical therapy in that state. All 50 states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia recognize the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) as the standard for determining licensure eligibility.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program (PhD)
Applicants to the School of Kinesiology’s PhD program must satisfy the Graduate School’s admission requirements. School of Kinesiology admission requirements include competitive GRE scores, current resume, statement of purpose (including research focus), letters of recommendation, and approval by the school.
The PhD program requires a minimum of 60 semester hours beyond the master’s degree. Research methods and statistics are components of all doctoral programs. The remaining hours are divided between the area of specialization and approved support courses. After satisfactory completion of coursework and a general written and oral examination, the student advances to candidacy. Doctoral students must register for at least 10 semester hours of doctoral research while completing a dissertation.
Specialized areas of doctoral study include biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor neuroscience, motor development, sport and exercise psychology, motor learning and control, and physical activity and health.
Graduate Minor
The School of Kinesiology in collaboration with the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology offers a graduate minor in sport management.
Additional Information
Detailed admission requirements for the school's multiple areas of graduate study are available on the College of Education’s website, Academics.
The University schedule of courses is available on the University website.
Information about undergraduate programs for the School of Kinesiology is available at: School of Kinesiology: Undergraduate.