Admission Requirements

In addition to fulfilling the University’s general requirements for graduate admission at the Master’s level, applicants seeking admission in to the M.S. in Kinesiology program must also:

1. Possess an overall cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above in all college coursework and possess an overall GPA of 3.25 on all upper division coursework (courses completed in the Junior and Senior year of the undergraduate program)
2. Present satisfactory grades (C or above) on specific prerequisite courses
   • The Applied Physiology concentration requires a minimum of 4 credit hours of Anatomy and Physiology, 3 credit hours of Exercise Physiology, and 3 credit hours of Statistics.
   • The Clinical Exercise Physiology concentration requires a minimum of 4 credit hours of Anatomy and Physiology, 3 credit hours of Exercise Physiology, 3 credit hours of Exercise Testing, and 3 credit hours of Statistics.
3. Present satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if the applicant is from a non-English speaking country.
4. Demonstrate evidence of sufficient interest, ability, and preparation in Kinesiology to adequately profit from graduate study, as determined by the Kinesiology Graduate faculty.This information should be included in the statement of purpose and specifically speak to the following: a) strengths, b) concentration of interest, c) career aspirations, and d) research interests (if pursuing the Applied Physiology concentration).

The deadline to change concentrations is April 1 of the first year within the program.

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree.  See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements.  Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Degree Requirements

Both concentrations require 36 credit hours approved by the Department of Kinesiology and a minimum of 15 credit hours presented for the degree must be in the courses numbered 6000 and above. Both concentrations require the same 12 hours of core courses but differ in their specific courses and the number of elective hours. Courses for which undergraduate credit has been awarded may not be repeated for graduate credit. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required on all coursework attempted for the degree. At the time of admission, up to 6 credit hours of graduate transfer credit may be accepted if approved by the Department of Kinesiology and the Graduate School.

Degree Total = 36 Credit Hours

Comprehensive Examination

All candidates for the degree must pass a comprehensive examination. 

Applied Physiology concentration

Students selecting the Applied Physiology concentration must present credit for at least 6 credit hours of KNES 6900  and pass a thesis defense. Students who fail to maintain a thesis progression schedule as agreed with their thesis advisor may be released by their thesis advisor.  If a student is released by their thesis advisor, they will have 1 academic month or until the end of the current term to find a new advisor.  If a new advisor cannot be found, the student is removed from the program at the end of the current term.

Clinical Exercise Physiology concentration

Students selecting the Clinical Exercise Physiology concentration have two attempts to pass the comprehensive examination.  Students’ first attempt is to pass the Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist examination (RCEP), administered by the American College of Sports Medicine.  The opportunity to take that exam will be scheduled.  If students do not pass the RCEP, their second attempt is the scheduled faculty-driven comprehensive examination. This examination is offered one time during the Fall and Spring semester, and is not offered during the Summer.  If CEP concentration students are also doing work for a thesis, then they may present credit for at least 3 credit hours of KNES 6900  and pass a thesis defense. Failing the comprehensive competency exam, students are dismissed from the M.S. in Kinesiology program.

Academic Standing

The M.S. in Kinesiology program follows all academic standing, suspension, and appeal policies set forth by UNC Charlotte with one exception.  University policy requires that no course listed on a master’s student’s candidacy form be older than six years at the time of graduation.  Courses that exceed this time limit must be revalidated or retaken.  Students must complete a graduate petition form to request a course revalidation.

Advising

Each student in the M.S. in Kinesiology program must have a major advisor.  Upon acceptance into the program, each student is assigned an advisor.  For students in the AP concentration, the Graduate Program Director is the academic co-advisor along with the thesis advisor.  For students in the CEP concentration, the Graduate Program Director is the listed as the primary advisor.   Students in the AP concentration work with their major advisor to develop an advisory committee.  The advisory committee must have at least 3 members (including the major advisor) and the majority of which must be from the Department of Kinesiology.  Students in the CEP concentration are advised by the Graduate Program Director and Practicum Coordinator.  Any course substitutions must be approved by the academic advisor.

Assistantships

Positions as a graduate assistant or teaching assistant may be available.  Grant funded assistantships may be available as well.  Students seeking assistantships should contact the Graduate Program Director of the Kinesiology program.  In general, applications for graduate assistantship awards for the academic year are made by the preceding February 1.

Continuous Registration

Students in graduate degree programs are required to maintain continuous registration (Fall and Spring semesters) for thesis, dissertation, project, or directed study until work is completed.

Financial Aid/Financial Assistance

A wide range of opportunities for financial aid/assistance is available to qualifying students, which may be accessed through the Office of Student Financial Aid. See the Financial Information  section for more information on the opportunities that are available, and how to contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Grade Requirements

The M.S. in Kinesiology program follows all grading policies set forth by UNC Charlotte.  Students who receive  two grades of C will be removed from the program and will need to successfully complete the appeal procedure.  Please reference the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies  section of the Graduate Catalog for specific information related to any grading policy questions.  The grade of I is assigned at the discretion of the instructor when a student who is otherwise passing has not, due to circumstances beyond his/her control, completed all the work in the course.  The missing work must be completed within 12 months (exact date determined by instructor) or the I will be changed to a U.

Research Opportunities/Experiences

A range of research opportunities exist in the Department of Kinesiology for qualified students. Students are encouraged to become engaged in the research focus of the department.

Program Certifications

Completion of the Clinical Exercise Physiology concentration qualifies the graduate to take the Clinical Exercise Physiology Registry Examination (RCEP) administered by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Tuition Waivers

Tuition waivers may be available through a variety of sources.  Students interested in pursuing tuition waivers should contact the Graduate Program Director in the semester prior to enrolling for courses.