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Kent State Exercise Physiology Students.

Exercise Physiology - Ph.D.

The Ph.D. degree in Exercise Physiology prepares students for a wide variety of career options, including exercise prescription and research. The program develops the competencies needed for those who intend to teach exercise physiology, pursue research or apply exercise physiology in practice. To apply for this degree you must first contact a faculty member to see if they are able to accept you into their laboratory. It is the expectation that the student has identified a mentor prior to applying for the doctoral degree. 

Contact: John McDaniel, jmcdani5@kent.edu

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Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology

Kent State University’s Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology provides targeted education in exercise physiology studies. Graduates are equipped for specialized roles and research opportunities in various industries.

Program Information for Exercise Physiology - Ph.D.

Program Description

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admissions for Exercise Physiology - Ph.D.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Previous degree in exercise science or equivalent preparation
  • Minimum 2.750 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale (minimum 3.500 GPA is recommended)
  • Official transcript(s)
  •  Résumé or curriculum vitae
  • Goal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Interview
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Summer Term
    • Rolling admissions
Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Present their research data regionally and nationally at conferences.
  2. Publish their research data in peer reviewed publications.
  3. Teach classes associated with exercise physiology.
  4. Work in the field and implement community-based exercise programing.
Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
EXPH 73050RESEARCH PROCESSES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING AND EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY 3
EXPH 73051QUANTITATIVE AND RESEARCH METHODS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING AND EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY 3
EXPH 73091RESEARCH SEMINAR (taken twice) 12
Exercise Physiology Electives, choose from the following:9
EXPH 75075
MUSCLE FUNCTION AND EXERCISE
EXPH 75076
ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS AND EXERCISE
EXPH 75081
ENERGY METABOLISM AND BODY COMPOSITION
or EXPH 75083
EXERCISE ENERGY METABOLISM
EXPH 75082
CARDIO-RESPIRATORY FUNCTION
or EXPH 75084
CARDIOVASCULAR-RESPIRATORY DYNAMICS DURING EXERCISE
Physiology Electives, choose from the following:6
EXPH 70610
PHYSIOLOGY OF AGING:IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN BEHAVIOR
EXPH 75080
PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF EXERCISE AND SPORT
EXPH 75086
NEUROBIOLOGY OF EXERCISE AND MOVEMENT
Additional electives as approved by faculty advisor
Culminating Requirement
EXPH 83098RESEARCH 12
EXPH 83199DISSERTATION I 230
Minimum Total Credit Hours:65
1

Students must enroll in EXPH 73091 for two semesters.

2

Upon admission to candidacy, each doctoral candidate must register for EXPH 83199. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter EXPH 83299, each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met. The dissertation must show that the student has the competency to conduct research in a discriminating and original manner. The quality of the dissertation must be such that one or more articles acceptable for publication in a professional journal may be expected to be derived from it.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • Only in rare instances does a student fulfill the educational and research expectations within the minimum-credit-hour requirement for this degree. Any deficiencies in a doctoral student’s academic preparation must be corrected very early in the approved academic program.

Candidacy Examination

Students will be required to pass an oral and written candidacy examination after coursework is completed before beginning their dissertation. Prior to taking the candidacy examination, the student must demonstrate his or her ability to conduct independent research related to the field of exercise physiology. This may be in the form of a completed thesis, an independent study project or an article published in an acceptable research journal. The acceptability of such evidence is to be determined by faculty advising students in exercise physiology.

Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation for Exercise Physiology - Ph.D.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Exercise Physiology - Ph.D.

Graduates of Kent State University's Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology can pursue advanced careers in the exercise physiology industry, including research, academic, and high-level professional roles.

Biological science teachers, postsecondary

9.3%

much faster than the average

64,700

number of jobs

$85,600

potential earnings

Exercise physiologists

11.3%

much faster than the average

19,800

number of jobs

$50,280

potential earnings

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists

6.1%

faster than the average

138,300

number of jobs

$91,510

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

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