Program of Study
The Master of Science Program in Kinesiology is a 36-unit program characterized by innovative coursework and robust laboratory experiences. The Program will prepare graduates to enter careers requiring a Master’s Degree or initiate doctoral study in Allied Health (e.g. Physical Therapy), Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, or other related fields. Led by top-notch faculty, students will actively participate in hands-on learning in the classroom and laboratory. The program requires students to complete a thesis and is designed to strengthen the breadth and depth of students’ content knowledge and applied skills in Kinesiology and its sub-disciplines.
Graduates will be prepared for work in various fields including worksite health promotion, clinical exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, commercial fitness, public/private or non-profit health agencies, chronic disease prevention in community settings, teaching/coaching at the community college level, independent research in the field of specialization, or continued graduate study at doctoral-granting institutions.
Faculty in the Department of Kinesiology at CSU San Marcos are innovative, productive scholars dedicated to student-centered instruction as well as scientific investigation in many fields. Our state-of-the-art laboratories maintain the equipment needed to conduct innovative research. The faculty consists of experts in exercise physiology, motor control and learning, biomechanics, physical education, and public health. Overall, this program will produce graduates who are independent learners prepared to initiate doctoral study, seek careers in health care or health and fitness, and become leaders in addressing health outcomes in the North San Diego County region.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate with a Master of Science in Kinesiology will be able to:
- Formulate arguments and make decisions using evidence-based content.
- Apply analytical and measurement skills commonly used in Kinesiology.
- Communicate effectively in public speaking and scientific writing.
- Synthesize and evaluate new information to advance the field of Kinesiology.
Admission Requirements and Application Materials
Students will be required to submit official transcripts to the Graduate Coordinator describing all college coursework, three (3) letters of recommendation, as well as a letter of intent describing their rationale for applying to the Program, career goals, and desire to work with a specific faculty member.
Applicants will also have an undergraduate GPA > 2.80, GRE verbal and quantitative score > 140 and analytical writing score > 3, as well as an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology/Exercise Science or related field with prior coursework in Anatomy and Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Motor Learning or Biomechanics, and Statistics.
Please send all materials to:
Todd A. Astorino, Ph.D, Graduate Coordinator
Department of Kinesiology, CSU San Marcos
333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd
San Marcos, CA 92096-0001
Application Deadlines
The Program accepts only Fall admissions, with an application deadline of March 1. However, applications may be accepted for review at other times if vacancies exist.
Continuation
Students will be required to maintain a minimum GPA equal to 3.0. Students will be required to retake the coursework in which a grade less than B- was earned. If students retake courses and are still unable to meet this GPA, they will be disqualified from the program. For further information on repeat of courses, refer to the Graduate Information policies “Special Regulations and Requirements for Graduate Students.”
Students must be continuously enrolled unless they apply for a leave of absence. Students who are not continuously enrolled or who have a leave of absence longer than two semesters will be dropped from the program and must reapply.
All degree requirements are to be completed within five years after acceptance into the graduate program. Authorized leaves of absence do not extend the time limit for completion of the degree.
Advancement to Candidacy
By the end of year 1 of the Program, students must select a primary advisor from the Kinesiology faculty whose interests align with those of the student. Students will choose two additional faculty members, at least one of whom must be Kinesiology faculty, to serve on their committee. To advance to candidacy, the student must:
- Form a thesis committee and submit a thesis committee approval form to each member of the committee and the Graduate Coordinator.
- Submit a thesis proposal to committee members that describes the topic, explains initial aims and anticipated results, and demonstrates that the project can be successfully completed by the end of year 2 of the program.
- Receive approval of the proposal form from all committee members.
- Write and submit a review of literature in support of his or her thesis topic to be evaluated for the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). Students must receive a passing score in order to advance to candidacy.
