Emphasis: Sport sociology
The sport sociology emphasis area focuses on the scientific study of social behavior interpersonally, in groups, and in organizations. This emphasis area focuses on the meanings, behaviors, norms, rules, patterns, ideologies, and social processes that occur in and through the sporting domain. Sport sociology explores the hierarchical organizational and management systems and power structures within sport.
Current research projects include:
- Media representations of women athletes
- Reducing barriers to physical activity for girls and women
- Occupational barriers for women in sport leadership
Associated labs and faculty
- Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, directed by Nicole LaVoi, PhD
- Media Analysis Research in International Sport (MARIS), directed by Dunja Antunovic, PhD
The PhD requires 36 to 48 course credits and 24 thesis credits. A minimum total of 60 credits and a maximum total of 72 credits are required to complete the program. Course credits include a minimum of 15 major program credits (including 3 credits of KIN 8980 Graduate Research Seminar), 6 credits in a supporting program or 12 credits in a doctoral minor, 6 research skills course credits, and 9 credits of mentored research experience. At least 6 major course credits, 6 research skills course credits, and 6 mentored experience course credits must be taken as a U of M enrolled student. A GPA of at least 3.00 is required to maintain good standing and to graduate.
Required courses
- KIN 8980 - Graduate Research Seminar in Kinesiology (3 Cr.)
- KIN 8995 - Research Problems in Kinesiology (1-12 Cr.)
Emphasis area courses
- KIN 5123 - Motivational Interventions in Physical Activity (3 Cr.) Online may be available
- KIN 5126 - Social Psychology of Sport & Physical Activity (3 Cr.)
- KIN 5136 - Psychology of Coaching (3 Cr.)
- KIN 5371 - Sport and Society (3 Cr.)
- KIN 5511 - Sport and Gender (3 Cr.)
- KIN 5723 - Psychology of Sport Injury and Rehabilitation (3 Cr.)
- KIN 8126 - Sports Medicine Psychology (3 Cr.)
- KIN 8136 - Developmental Sport and Exercise Psychology (3 Cr.)
Research skills courses
- AMST 8250 - Popular Culture and Politics in the 20th Century: Research Strategies (3 Cr.)
- AMST 8289 - Ethnographic Research Methods: Research Strategies in American Studies (3 Cr.)
- COMM 8211 - Critical Communication Studies: History, Theory, Method (3 Cr.)
- COMM 8451 - Seminar: Intercultural and Diversity Research (3 Cr.)
- COMM 8502 - Seminar: Communication Theory Construction (3 Cr.)
- KIN 5981 - Research Methodology in Kinesiology and Sport Management (3 Cr.)
- EPSY 5247 - Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology (3 Cr.)
- EPSY 8252 - Statistical Methods in Education II (3 Cr.)
- EPSY 8264 - Advanced Multiple Regression Analysis (3 Cr.)
- EPSY 8266 - Statistical Analysis Using Structural Equation Methods (3 Cr.)
- EPSY 8267 - Applied Multivariate Analysis (3 Cr.)
- EPSY 8282 - Statistical Analysis of Longitudinal Data (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 8997 - Dissertation Seminar (3 Cr.)
- PSY 8209 - Research Methods in Social Psychology (3 Cr.)
- PUBH 6810 - Survey Research Methods (3 Cr.)
- PUBH 7401 - Fundamentals of Biostatistical Inference (4 Cr.)
- PUBH 7405 - Biostatistical Inference I (4 Cr.)
- PUBH 7406 - Biostatistical Inference II (3 Cr.)
- SOC 8801 - Sociological Research Methods (4 Cr.)
- SOC 8811 - Advanced Social Statistics (4 Cr.)
- SOC 8890 - Advanced Topics in Research Methods (1.5-3 Cr.) Topics Course
Minor or supporting courses
- AMST 5412 - Comparative Indigenous Feminisms of The Americas (3 Cr.) Global Perspectives
- AMST 8202 - Theoretical Foundations and Current Practice in American Studies (3 Cr.)
- AMST 8240 - Gender, Race, Class, Ethnicity, and Sexuality in the United States: Topical Development (3 Cr.) Topics Course
- COMM 5221 - Media, Race, and Identity (3 Cr.)
- COMM 8502 - Seminar: Communication Theory Construction (3 Cr.)
- COMM 8210 - Seminar: Selected Topics in U.S. Electronic Media (3 Cr.) Topics Course
- COMM 8211 - Critical Communication Studies: History, Theory, Method (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 5104 - Transnational Feminist Theory (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 5190 - Topics: Theory, Knowledge, and Power (3 Cr.) Topics Course
- GWSS 5406 - Black Feminist Thought in the American and African Diasporas (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 8101 - Intellectual History of Feminism (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 8102 - Advanced Studies in Sexuality (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 8103 - Feminist Theories of Knowledge (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 8107 - Feminist Pedagogies (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 8108 - Genealogies of Feminist Theory (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 8109 - Feminist Knowledge Production (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 8201 - Feminist Theory and Methods in the Social Sciences (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 8230 - Seminar: Cultural Criticism and Media Studies (3 Cr.) Topics Course
- GWSS 8260 - Seminar: Race, Representation and Resistance (3 Cr.) Topics Course
- GWSS 8270 - Seminar: Theories of Body (3 Cr.) Topics Course
- SOC 4451 - Sport, Culture & Society (3 Cr.)
- SOC 5455 - Sociology of Education (3 Cr.)
- SOC 8001 - Sociology as a Profession (1 Cr.)
- SOC 8011 - Teaching Sociology: Theory & Practice (3 Cr.)
- SOC 8211 - The Sociology of Race & Racialization (3 Cr.)
- SOC 8221 - Sociology of Gender (3 Cr.)
- SOC 8290 - Topics in Race, Class, Gender and other forms of Durable Inequality (3 Cr.) Topics Course
-
SOC 8701 - Sociological Theory (4 Cr.)
Minor or supporting courses
- KIN 5981 - Research Methodology in Kinesiology and Sport Management (3 Cr.)
-
KIN 5987 - Professional Skills and Grant Writing for Health Sciences (2 Cr.)
The MS is offered under Plan A and Plan B. Plan A requires 30 credits, including at least 14 course credits in kinesiology, 6 course credits in a minor or related field (either of which must include a minimum of 3 credits in statistics as determined by faculty advisor) and 10 thesis credits (8777). Plan B also requires 30 credits, including at least 14 major course credits in kinesiology, a capstone project of 4 credits in KIN 8995, at least 6 course credits in a minor or related field (either of which must include a minimum of 3 credits in statistics as determined by faculty advisor), and 6 additional credits in any of these areas. For both Plan A and Plan B, students must take KIN 5981 (3 cr), KIN 8980 (3 cr), and in the related field or minor, at least 3 credits of statistics or equivalent as defined by the faculty advisor. A GPA of at least 3.00 is required to maintain good academic standing and to graduate.
Required courses
- KIN 5981 - Research Methodology in Kinesiology and Sport Management (3 Cr.)
- KIN 8980 - Graduate Research Seminar in Kinesiology (3 Cr.)
Plan A: students must take 10 credits of KIN 8777
- KIN 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's (1-18 Cr.)
Plan B: students must take 4 credits of KIN 8995
- KIN 8995 - Research Problems in Kinesiology (1-12 Cr.)
Emphasis area courses
- KIN 5123 - Motivational Interventions in Physical Activity (3 Cr.) Online may be available
- KIN 5126 - Social Psychology of Sport & Physical Activity (3 Cr.)
- KIN 5136 - Psychology of Coaching (3 Cr.)
- KIN 5371 - Sport and Society (3 Cr.)
- KIN 5511 - Sport and Gender (3 Cr.)
- KIN 5725 - Organization and Management of Physical Education and Sport (3 Cr.)
- KIN 5801 - Legal Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity (4 Cr.) Online may be available
- KIN 8136 - Developmental Sport and Exercise Psychology (3 Cr.)
Minor or related courses
- AMST 5412 - Comparative Indigenous Feminisms of The Americas (3 Cr.) Global Perspectives
- COMM 5221 - Media, Race, and Identity (3 Cr.)
- EPSY 5247 - Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology (3 Cr.)
- EPSY 5261 - Introductory Statistical Methods (3 Cr.)
- EPSY 8251 - Statistical Methods in Education I (3 Cr.)
- EPSY 8252 - Statistical Methods in Education II (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 5104 - Transnational Feminist Theory (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 5190 - Topics: Theory, Knowledge, and Power (3 Cr.) Topics Course
- GWSS 5406 - Black Feminist Thought in the American and African Diasporas (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 8101 - Intellectual History of Feminism (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 8102 - Advanced Studies in Sexuality (3 Cr.)
- GWSS 8103 - Feminist Theories of Knowledge (3 Cr.)
- KIN 5601 - Sport Management Ethics and Policy (3 Cr.)
- PSY 8209 - Research Methods in Social Psychology (3 Cr.)
- SOC 4451 - Sport, Culture & Society (3 Cr.)
- SOC 8801 - Sociological Research Methods (4 Cr.)
About our students
Quote from Courtney Boucher
The Tucker Center prides itself in doing research that counts. We don’t do research for the sake of doing research—we always have the end in mind. Our goal is always to better the lives of girls and women through sport and physical activity. We often get to see and hear about the real-life impact we are making, and this continually motivates me and the rest of the team in our research endeavors.
How to apply: MEd or PhD
Before you apply
Before you apply review the MS vs MEd information. All master's programs are designed to educate students in their chosen degree path and prepare them for professional or academic work. Read through the MS versus MEd comparison page to decide which program is the best fit for you.
It is highly recommended that applicants contact the professor they are interested in working with before applying online. It helps facilitate the application process and familiarizes the professor with applicants and their interests.
Apply
All required materials need to be submitted by the application deadline, December 1.
Applications received by December 1 will be given priority consideration for admission and financial support. The majority of applications are reviewed in January for admission for the following fall semester. A few applicants with exceptional credentials or exceptional situations may be considered for admission outside this review period or for semesters other than fall, but these are rare and are subject to faculty advisor availability.
Graduate school application requirements
You will apply online through the University of Minnesota Graduate School.
- Graduate application instructions
- Admission requirements
School of Kinesiology application requirements
Applications must be completed online and the fee ($75 for permanent U.S. residents, $95 for international students) paid by credit card. The School of Kinesiology requires applicants to:
- Complete an online application
- Upload a personal statement
- Upload a research description
- Upload copies of unofficial transcripts
- Upload one (1) scholarly writing sample
- Upload three (3) letters of recommendation
- Graduate assistantship application (if interested): Assistantships in the department are competitive and the number of assistantships given each year is limited. Chances for getting an assistantship vary from year to year depending on availability and funding. Applicants must not assume that they will be awarded an assistantship automatically if they are accepted into the program. Admitted students should contact their future faculty advisor directly for more information.
Starting with the 2024-25 admissions cycle, GRE scores will not be considered in the admissions review process for PhD or master's (MS) applications.
All School of Kinesiology application materials are uploaded to the online application system and must be submitted by December 1 for the following fall semester.
Application process and timeline
An admission decision notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the School’s admission committee and your unofficial transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by University officials.
Applicants who apply by the due date (December 1) should receive an admissions decision in January or February. Assistantship applicants will find out if they received an assistantship no later than mid-April.
Review process
Faculty with expertise in the emphasis areas identified by the applicants will review the MS and PhD applications. Based on the comments and recommendations of the faculty, the director of graduate studies makes the final recommendations to the Graduate School, which informs students of the School's decision.
Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. In making admission decisions, faculty reviewers and the director of graduate studies consider level of achievement in previous college work, performance on standardized graduate exams, experience, congruence of the program with an applicant's stated goals, advising and teaching load of faculty in the identified emphasis area, and academic records of other applicants for the same emphasis.
Potential MS or PhD students who have not received a response by late March, should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.
Readmission requirements for MS and PhD students
- Contact the faculty advisor prior to the readmission application submission, and
- Contact the graduate program coordinator to request the paperwork for readmission.
Tuition and funding
Questions?
We’re here to help. Get in touch with our Graduate Studies Office.
