Ph.D. Degree in
Health and Exercise Science

Program Objective

The Ph.D. program in Health and Exercise Science at The Ohio State University provides a curriculum designed to enhance both the breadth and depth of knowledge and the basic and applied laboratory and field-based research skills of students. Research in Health and Exercise Science encompasses the description and explanation of structural, functional, psychological, and behavioral responses to acute and habitual participation in physical activity and exercise.

Typical applications of the knowledge gained during the Ph.D. degree include the: a.) research-based improvement of education conducted in schools, hospitals, clinics, community agencies, and various work sites that are designed to enhance physical activity and health behavior; b.) appropriate use of physical activity and exercise in the prevention and treatment of chronic lifestyle diseases; c.) improvement of exercise and sport performance for recreational and elite athletes; and d.) examination of the psychological and biological consequence of physical activity to determine the effects of exercise on mental health.

Areas of Specialization

The Ohio State University offers a Ph.D. Program in Sport and Exercise Science that includes a physiologically or behaviorally based approach to exercise science. The physiological approach covers many issues related to exercise science, including: a.) exercise assessment; b.) adaptation of skeletal muscle structure, function, and metabolic processes during the aging process; c.) design and delivery of exercise programs; and d.) treatment and prevention of chronic lifestyle and degenerative diseases. The behaviorally based approach to exercise science uses contemporary behavioral science to study: a.) determinants of physical activity adoption; b.) effective methods for maintenance of physical activity in varied populations and settings; and c.) the psychological consequences of participating in exercise on a regular basis.

Exercise Physiology: Prepares the student to understand and to critically analyze the current literature, to develop research hypotheses, to design hypothesis-based experimental research, to apply sound measurement techniques, and to utilize appropriate statistical analyses related to exercise physiology.

Health and Physical Activity Behavior: Prepares students to apply principles of behavioral science to identify determinants and consequences of physical activity adoption and maintenance in a variety of populations and settings. Students will gain the skills necessary to design, implement, and evaluate programs to promote health and physical activity behavior change. Students will also develop skills in the application of behavioral sciences to answer questions related to exercise adoption and maintenance. Graduates may assume health and exercise promotion positions in: wellness centers, worksite programs, health care settings, private consulting, or with state and local community health agencies. They would also be prepared to pursue further research training in as a postdoctoral fellow or assume faculty positions in colleges or universities.

Careers Opportunities

Graduates of the Ph.D. program in Health and Exercise Science at The Ohio State University may engage in postdoctoral research or they may seek faculty appointments in college or university settings. Graduates have opportunities for employment in cardiac rehabilitation, adult fitness, geriatric settings, corporate fitness, military fitness, research, sales, and management in corporate fields such as sports nutrition, athletic footwear, fitness equipment, sports clothing, and weight control programs. They are well prepared for research-focused careers in these areas.

Time of Study

Typically, Ph.D. students spend 2 years completing formal course work and an additional year or two on the dissertation research project.

Admission Criteria

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program typically have strong backgrounds in science with overall undergraduate cumulative grade averages between 3.0 and 4.0 (B and A) plus combined scores of 1050-1450 on the verbal and quantitative aptitude sections of the Graduate Record Exam. Successful applicants interested in physiological oriented practice and research have completed university level courses in physics and chemistry including organic chemistry. Applicants interested in Health and Physical Activity Behavior typically have a strong background in the behavioral sciences.

The number of students accepted each year varies and is dependent on resources and the number of students each faculty member is able to optimally advise. Also, we strongly suggest that Ph.D. applicants visit the campus for personal interviews before March 1. Please contact individual faculty members about arranging a visit. Contact information is included with their educational background and research interests.

Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program of Study

Health and Exercise Science

Some students may require a year or more of general science or exercise physiology background; others may be able to begin taking dissertation-oriented coursework almost immediately. If a student's background is strong enough, most of the coursework requirements can be met by independent research projects wherein the student masters research techniques and completes pilot studies that may lead to the dissertation. Typically, Ph.D. students spend 1-2 years completing formal course work and an additional year or two on the dissertation research.

All Ph.D. students are expected to have on their undergraduate/graduate transcripts coursework equivalent to that required of M.A. degree students that have graduated from The Ohio State University.

The students' advisory committees determine course requirements for individual students, but the following courses typically appear on the plans of study.

Several Statistics/Research Design Courses beyond the Masters degree

Food Sc&Te 761	Adv. Nutrient Utilization I (5 hrs)
Food Sc&Te 762	Adv. Nutrient Utilization I (5 hrs)
Edu PAES 893	Individual Studies in Health and Exercise Science [Research Projects](1-12 hrs/term)
Edu PAES 802.01	Introduction to Exercise Physiology(4 hrs)
Edu PAES 802.02	Exercise Physiology: Metabolism (4 hrs)
Edu PAES 802.03	Exercise Physiology:Cardio-Respiratory System(4 hrs)
Edu PAES 802.04	Skeletal Muscle Structure, Function, and Plasticity (4 hrs)
Edu PAES 867	Biochemical Methods for the Assessment of Human Performance (4 hrs)
Edu PAES 886	Colloquium in Exercise Science(1 hr/term)
Edu PAES 999	Dissertation Research(40-90 hrs)

Cognate Areas (15-25 hrs)

Students must complete 15-25 quarter hours of coursework in each of one or more cognate ("minor") areas of study. Typical cognate areas include biochemistry, physiology, nutrition, statistics and research, psychology, and molecular biology. For example, a Ph.D. student who wishes to study cardiovascular adaptations to exercise at the cellular level might have a plan of study that includes five courses in physiology and physiology research techniques plus four courses in molecular biology and associated research techniques. Each of these two groupings of courses (i.e., physiology and molecular biology) could be considered to be cognate areas.