Health and Exercise Science, PhD in Kinesiology
Health and Exercise Science at Ohio State uses physiological- and behavior-based approaches to exercise science while expanding the breadth of your knowledge and experience of basic and applied laboratory and field-based research skills.
As a PhD student, you’ll choose the exercise physiology track or health and physical activity behavior track and be able to apply your knowledge for:
- research-based improvement of education conducted in schools, hospitals, clinics, community agencies and other work sites designed to enhance physical activity and health behavior
- appropriate use of physical activity and exercise in the prevention and treatment of chronic lifestyle diseases
- improvement of exercise and sport performance for recreational and elite athletes.
- examination of the psychological and biological consequences of physical activity to determine the effects of exercise on mental health
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Specializations
Learn to understand and critically analyze the current literature, develop research hypotheses, design hypothesis-based experimental research, apply sound measurement techniques and utilize appropriate statistical analyses related to exercise physiology.
You will cover many issues related to exercise science, including: exercise assessment; adaptation of skeletal muscle structure, function and metabolic processes during the aging process; design and delivery of exercise programs; and treatment and prevention of chronic lifestyle and degenerative diseases.
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 to design, implement and evaluate programs and learn to apply behavioral sciences to promote health and physical activity behavior change.
The behaviorally based approach to exercise science uses contemporary behavioral science that includes: determinants of physical activity adoption; effective methods for maintenance of physical activity in varied populations and settings; and the psychological consequences of participating in exercise on a regular basis.
Career Paths
Funding Options
Key to teaching, research and learning in the college, associateships provide students with professional experience and financial support.
These financial awards are made by Ohio State to students based on academic merit through a university-wide competition.
The college annually awards scholarships to its students to support their academic goals.
Cost
Graduate program costs can depend on a variety of factors such as residency, number of credit hours and number of semesters enrolled. The Graduate Admissions website provides an estimate of annual costs for Ohio residents, domestic non-residents and international students. The Registrar’s Office provides more in-depth information about Tuition and Fees.
Degree Requirements
Prerequisites
Master’s degree
Expected time to degree
3 years
Deadline to apply
December 1
for funding consideration; then rolling admissions until cohort filled
Applications for the next admissions cycle will open September 1.
Program start
Autumn Semester
Mode of Instruction
While some courses may be offered online, this degree requires in-person learning on the Columbus campus.
Prospective students are encouraged to complete an inquiry card so we can share information about virtual info sessions, opportunities to connect graduate students, program news and the admissions process.
Application checklist
Apply to Ohio State