Kinesiology — Graduate Certificate, MS, DPT, PhD, Minor

Degree Programs

Graduate Certificate

Movement Skill Analysis

Graduate Minor

Sport Management

The School of Kinesiology offers graduate degree programs leading to a master of science (non-thesis and thesis options) and doctor of philosophy. Offerings also include a graduate certificate and a graduate minor. 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; exercise science; and physical education/teacher education. 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. For admission to the MS in physical education/teacher education, the undergraduate GPA must be documented on the official transcript of the degree-granting institution and must be the GPA that was used as the basis for granting the degree (not a GPA that includes post-degree courses); alternatively, a minimum GPA of 3.0 in a master's of higher degree program may be used for admission.

MS programs in physical education/teacher education include alternative certification and traditional certification programs. The alternative MS certification program offers qualified students who hold non-teaching baccalaureate degrees a route to initial teacher certification while simultaneously earning a master’s degree; the traditional MS certification program offers advanced study for individuals who hold a valid bachelor’s-level professional educator certificate in physical education/teacher education. Applicants to the alternative MS certification program in physical education/teacher education must submit a clear background check and satisfy the State’s teaching field admission requirements; applicants to the traditional MS certification program in physical education/teacher education must submit a clear background check and hold a valid bachelor’s-level professional educator certificate in physical education. Both certification programs are approved by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). The College of Education is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

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. Additional degree requirements for the alternative MS certification program in physical education/teacher education are in compliance with regulations established by the Alabama State Department of Education. These requirements include a semester long, full-time internship and satisfactory completion of the State's testing program and official submission of the edTPA assessment for scoring. Additionally, in order to be recommended for teacher certification candidates must receive passing scores on the edTPA assessment. In accordance with State regulations, effective for students unconditionally admitted prior to July 1, 2017, a minimum GPA of 3.00 is required on all courses used to meet master's-level program requirements. Effective for students unconditionally admitted July 1, 2017, and after, a minimum GPA of 3.25 will be required on all courses used to meet master's-level certification program requirements.

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, physical activity and health, and teaching and research in physical education.

Master’s- and Specialist-Level Certification

Individuals completing the State-approved MS certification programs in physical education/teacher education are eligible to apply for Alabama Class A certification. Effective September 1, 2018, the Alabama State Board for Education will require an acceptable score on the edTPA for initial certification in a teaching field. This state certification requirement applies to individuals completing alternative master’s programs.

Individuals seeking certification in states other than Alabama are responsible for contacting those state certification offices to obtain their application form and requirements. These individuals should first meet the requirements for certification in the State of Alabama. The State of Alabama signs the National Association of State Directors of Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement which facilitates the applications of program graduates when they apply for certification in other states.

Graduate Minor and Graduate Certificate

The School of Kinesiology in collaboration with the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology offers a graduate minor in sport management. In addition, the School of Kinesiology offers a graduate certificate in movement skill analysis.

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.