University of North Texas 
Kinesiology (MS)
Prepare to improve lives and address health disparities through research, psychology and movement.
The kinesiology master's program offers concentrations in exercise physiology, sport
and exercise psychology, and sport pedagogy.
Research is a fundamental component of our kinesiology master’s program, and you will
have numerous opportunities to participate in groundbreaking research on campus. Some
of our current research areas include motor behavior, exercise physiology, nutrition,
immunology, sport sociology, stress reactivity, cerebral blood flow regulation, exercise
interventions and health disparities.
Career opportunities include teaching, research, fitness leadership, coaching, athletic
competition, sports performance, rehabilitation and other allied health roles. Our
alumni can be found in colleges, universities, government agencies, businesses, hospitals
and schools.
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete a minimum of 36 total credit hours and may attend
part-time (< 9 credit hours/semester) or full-time (≥ 9 credit hours/semester). Most
students opt to attend full-time and complete their degree in 2 years.
9 credit hours
Build your foundation for the program and your future with 3 required courses.
21 to 24 credit hours
Explore your concentration area by selecting various courses of interest.
3 to 6 credit hours
Complete a Master's Thesis or choose a non-thesis (research or non-research) route.
Research Concentrations & Faculty
Click to discover current program faculty and their areas of expertise.
Sarah Deemer, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Obesity and cardiometabolic disease; adipose tissue metabolism; nutrition
and exercise interventions; health disparities.
Joshua Keller, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Resistance training, peripheral vascular function, sex differences.
Brian McFarlin, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Exercise physiology, nutrition, and immunology.
Justin Sprick, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Vascular function, neuro-circulatory control, cerebral blood flow
regulation.
Jakob Vingren, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Physiology of resistance exercise related to hormones, nutrition,
health, and performance.
Myungjin Jung, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Exercise psychology, neurophysiology and fNIRS, executive function
and memory, depression, and physical activity epidemiology.
Lab Coming Soon!
Scott Martin, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Health-related physical fitness and psychological well-being; sport
and exercise psychology; sport sociology.
Ryan Olson, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Exercise psychology; neurophysiology and cognition; autonomic function
and stress reactivity.
Megan Ware, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Affective states, exercise behavior, qualitative and mixed methodologies,
and clinical populations.
Andrew Colombo-Dougovito, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Autism spectrum disorder/developmental disabilities; physical activity
behavior, lifetime motor development; motor skill assessment.
Jerraco Johnson, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Physical activity and health, family health behavior development,
obesity and health disparities, diversity in kinesiology.
Samantha Moss, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Physical activity promotion; socio-ecological disparities; motor competency.
Lab Coming Soon!
Tao Zhang, Ph.D.
Research Areas: Psychosocial determinants of physical activity and health; youth physical
activity and health disparity; achievement motivation, motor development.
FAQs
What is the deadline to apply?
The deadline to apply is August 15th.
However, due to processing times, it is highly recommended to apply before July 1st
for domestic applicants and before February 1st for international applicants.
Is there a minimum GPA requirement to apply?
3.0 GPA or above - overall (BS or BA)
3.25 GPA or above - last 60 hours (BS or BA)
3.4 GPA or above - overall (master's degree)
If you have any questions, please contact KHPR's Graduate Coordinator.
Are GRE scores required?
No. GRE scores are not required.
Are letters of recommendation required?
No. Letters of recommendation are not required.
What are the 3 required Kinesiology (KINE) Core courses?
Each course is 3 credit hours.
KINE 5100 - Research Perspectives in KHPR
KINE 5150 - Quantitative Procedures in Exercise and Sport Sciences
KINE 5200 - Professional Development in Kinesiology
What electives can I take?
You can select electives according to your area of interest and course availability.
This is not an exhaustive list.
Each course is 3 credit hours.
KINE 5030 - Lifespan Motor Development
KINE 5090 - Motor Behavior
KINE 5125 - Sport and Exercise Psychology
KINE 5135 - Exercise and Health Psychology
KINE 5185 - Applied Sport Psychology
KINE 5290 - Current Topics in Exercise Physiology
KINE 5301 - Physiology of Exercise
KINE 5330 - Sport Nutrition & Metabolism
KINE 5390 - Physiological Assessment in the Health Sciences
KINE 5400 - Clinical Application of Exercise Physiology
KINE 5940 - Current Topics in Kinesiology
KINE 6190 - Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology
KINE 6200 - Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology
Each course is 3 credit hours.
KINE 5030 - Lifespan Motor Development
KINE 5090 - Motor Behavior
KINE 5125 - Sport and Exercise Psychology
KINE 5135 - Exercise and Health Psychology
KINE 5185 - Applied Sport Psychology
KINE 5290 - Current Topics in Exercise Physiology
KINE 5301 - Physiology of Exercise
KINE 5330 - Sport Nutrition & Metabolism
KINE 5390 - Physiological Assessment in the Health Sciences
KINE 5400 - Clinical Application of Exercise Physiology
KINE 5940 - Current Topics in Kinesiology
KINE 6190 - Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology
KINE 6200 - Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology
What are the culminating experience options?
There are 4 culminating experience options. You must choose one of the courses below
to fulfill the culminating experience requirement. *Approval required.
KINE 5950 - Master's Thesis; Thesis, Research (6 credit hours)
KINE 5920 - Research Experience; Non-thesis, Research (3 credit hours)
KINE 5860 - Internship Experience; Non-thesis, Non-research (3 credit hours)
KINE 5850 - Sport and Exercise Psychology Practicum; Non-thesis, Non-research (6 credit hours)
KINE 5950 - Master's Thesis; Thesis, Research (6 credit hours)
KINE 5920 - Research Experience; Non-thesis, Research (3 credit hours)
KINE 5860 - Internship Experience; Non-thesis, Non-research (3 credit hours)
KINE 5850 - Sport and Exercise Psychology Practicum; Non-thesis, Non-research (6 credit hours)
Is this an online program?
No. All courses for this program are offered on UNT's Denton campus.
When are classes typically offered?
Classes are typically offered Monday-Thursday, once per week, in the afternoons and
evenings during long semesters (Fall and Spring).
What career paths can I pursue with this degree?
Exercise physiology; sports performance; coaching; strength & conditioning; academic
teaching; research; administrative positions within colleges and universities; sport
and exercise psychology; motor behavior; motor skill development; wellness; and more.
Does KHPR offer Graduate Assistantships?
KHPR offers Graduate Assistantships to a select number of master's students each year.
All current and newly accepted students will be notified when positions become available.
Application instructions will be provided at that time.
Research Groups & Labs
Faculty Researchers:
Brian McFarlin, Ph.D.
Jakob Vingren, Ph.D.
David Hill, Ph.D.
Brian McFarlin, Ph.D.
Jakob Vingren, Ph.D.
David Hill, Ph.D.
Faculty Researchers:
Justin Sprick, Ph.D.
Justin Sprick, Ph.D.
Faculty Researchers:
Andrew Colombo-Dougovito, Ph.D.
Jerraco Johnson, Ph.D.
Andrew Colombo-Dougovito, Ph.D.
Jerraco Johnson, Ph.D.
Faculty Researchers:
Joshua Keller, Ph.D.
Joshua Keller, Ph.D.
Faculty Researchers:
Sarah Deemer, Ph.D.
Sarah Deemer, Ph.D.
Faculty Researchers:
Tao Zhang, Ph.D.
Tao Zhang, Ph.D.
Faculty Researchers:
Scott Martin, Ph.D.
Scott Martin, Ph.D.
Faculty Researchers:
Megan Ware, Ph.D.
Megan Ware, Ph.D.
Faculty Researchers:
Ryan Olson, Ph.D.
Ryan Olson, Ph.D.