Start your journey
Customize your kinesiology degree with specialized study and faculty mentorship
Our kinesiology master’s program provides students with a strong foundation in the scientific principles and theories that drive human movement and physical activity. Students also apply what they’ve learned to real-world settings, preparing you for careers in healthcare, sports, research, and beyond.
Before applying, you’ll select an area of specialization, called an emphasis area, and a faculty advisor. This allows you to tailor your coursework and research activities to align with your professional goals.
Coursework
Broadly speaking, students in the MS program learn evidence-based practices to understand and enhance various aspects of human movement. The program dives into foundational and advanced areas of kinesiology, including:
- Exercise science and human movement
- Exercise physiology
- Health promotion
- Human performance
- Social and behavioral science
- Sport and exercise psychology
Courses vary depending on the area of specialization you choose, allowing you to tailor your education to your goals. Courses are also dependent on the academic plan chosen. Students can apply for a thesis (Plan A) or non-thesis (Plan B) based program. To know which plan is best for you and your career goals, consult with a potential faculty advisor. Each academic plans requires a total of 30 credits to be completed.
Tuition
Visit the University’s tuition page for tuition information. Information relevant to this program is found in the College of Education and Human Development section of the page.
Financial support
For qualified applicants, the University and the School of Kinesiology may provide financial assistance in forms of fellowships, scholarships and assistantships. Note that some of them require U.S. citizenship. An assistantship typically comes in form as a teaching or research assistantship and provides a tuition waiver and health insurance. Other possible forms of financial support can be found below:
- College of Education and Human Development fellowships and scholarships
- University of Minnesota financial aid opportunities
- Funding webpage for additional opportunities
- Students admitted to the MS or PhD programs will be considered for assistantship funding by their admitting advisor and/or other members of the emphasis group area
Emphasis areas
Students pursuing an MS in kinesiology must select their area of specialization, called an emphasis area, and faculty advisor prior to applying.
Review the emphasis areas and its associated faculty and labs. Choose an emphasis are that aligns with your future career goals and research interests, and contact a potential faculty advisor directly to learn more about the area.
How to apply
Applications for the MS program in kinesiology must be submitted by December 1.
| Application deadline | December 1 |
|---|---|
| Admission decision | January/February |
| Assistantship decision | January/February |
All admission communication will be sent via email. Potential students who have not received an admission decision notice by late March should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.
Step one: Satisfy admission requirements
The School of Kinesiology follows the University’s requirements for graduate program admission. International students must complete additional steps for their application.
Please review the MS vs MEd degree information to ensure you want to apply for the MS degree: A research-based program with a final thesis.
Step two: Identify a potential emphasis area and contact potential faculty advisors
Admission to our research-based programs (MS and PhD) runs through individual faculty members who choose to accept students that match their area of research.
Potential applicants should decide an emphasis area of interest and contact a faculty member associated with that area. Contacting the faculty member allows you to learn more about this area and the faculty’s capacity for taking on new students.
Step three: Prepare your application materials
The following materials are required to submit an application for our graduate programs. You're encouraged to review the application material guidelines as you prepare.
- Personal statement
- Research statement
- Writing sample
- Three letters of recommendation
- Unofficial transcript
- Application fee
Please note: No GRE or GMAT is required to apply.
Step four: Apply online by December 1
All applications are submitted online through the University of Minnesota Graduate School. Letters of recommendation must also be submitted by the December 1 deadline, so reach out early in advance.
Questions?
We’re here to help. Get in touch with our Graduate Studies Office through the request information form or contact one of our staff.
