Master's in Kinesiology Requirements

Admission Requirements

Applicants who are seeking admission to the Kinesiology program in School of Graduate Studies must:

1. Meet all of the minimum general School of Graduate Studies admission requirements identified in the graduate catalog;

2. Include a personal statement of research interests and professional goals, which will be used to evaluate the potential for success in the graduate program and the adequacy and appropriateness of undergraduate/professional preparation.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Science degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Kinesiology Graduate Program.

The Research-Based Masters Degree option provides extensive experience in research and scholarship and may be either the final degree or a step toward entry into a doctoral program. 

The Professional Science Master's Degree option (PSM) involves an intensive internship or fieldwork and includes professional science courses shared among other PSM programs. This program integrates the technical skills of the Kinesiology Master’s degree with the professional workplace skills—professional writing, budgeting, project management, data analytics, among others-- necessary to thrive and advance in the workplace.  The course also provides a practical-oriented workplace relevant capstone/internship experience. This program is recognized and approved by the National Professional Science Master’s Association.

Research (Thesis) Option (30 credits):  

1. A minimum of 24 credits in Kinesiology graduate courses, including 6 credits of thesis work on a topic related to Kinesiology.  
2. A minimum of 6 credits in graduate research methods and statistics courses.
3. All programs of study must be completed in collaboration with the student's advisor and approved by the program's graduate director during the first semester of graduate work.  

Non-Thesis Professional Science Masters (PSM) Option (30 credits):

1. A minimum of 6-9 credits in core PSM Quantitative Skills courses:

2. A minimum of 9-12 credits in core PSM Professional Skills courses:

3. The remainder of graduate courses from Kinesiology, including 6 credits of internship in an area related to Kinesiology.

4. All programs of study must be completed in collaboration with the student's advisor and approved by the program's graduate director during the first semester of graduate work. 

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master's (ABM) degree program

The  allows exceptional undergraduate students an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor's and master's degrees at an accelerated pace. These students may double count up to 12 graduate-level credits and obtain a master's degree within 12 months of completing the bachelor's degree. At the Masters degree level, students may pick between the research-focused track or the professional skills track in Kinesiology.

Admission Requirements

Applicants who are seeking admission to the Kinesiology program in School of Graduate Studies must:

1. Meet all of the minimum general School of Graduate Studies admission requirements identified in the graduate catalog;

2. Include a personal statement of professional goals that will be used to evaluate the potential for success.

3. Must have completed a minimum of 60 credits, including credits earned from advanced placement and dual credit. Students must apply to the ABM before completion of the undergraduate degree.

4. Transfer students with a minimum of 60 credits—whether from the transfer institution alone or in combination with UND credits—and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0.

5. Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 at UND at the time of admission into the ABM degree program

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Application:

• A prospective student that meets the eligibility requirements above should schedule a meeting with his/her Department Chair and/or Director of the Graduate Program to develop a plan of work for his/her bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
• Before admission to an ABM program can be finalized, students must submit, while still an undergraduate, the standard application for admission to the School of Graduate Studies, including an application, application fee, personal statement, and transcripts. 
• A Program of Study, signed by the applicant, the Department Chair, and the Director of the Graduate Program must be submitted.
• The Program of Study must clearly indicate:
  • The courses (a maximum of 12 graduate credits) that will be double counted for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
  • The courses that will be taken after being accepted into the graduate program.
  • The graduation date for the master’s degree that meets the time limit for the ABM program.
• Applications accepted for admission to the Graduate Program will not be matriculated until completion of the bachelor’s degree.

Requirements for Completion of the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program:

• Students must complete the bachelor’s degree prior to entering the master’s program. Students in the ABM may not elect to bypass the bachelor’s degree.
• Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 at UND to remain eligible for the ABM degree program.
• Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or better in the double counted graduate level courses.
• No more than twelve (12) credits of graduate work may be counted toward the requirements of both degrees.
• Students must complete the master’s degree within 12 months from the completion of the bachelor’s degree for the master’s degree.

Continuing Eligibility for Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Programs:

• If a student completes the bachelor’s degree requirements with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0/4.0, then he/she needs program approval to continue to pursue the ABM degree program.
• If a student becomes ineligible to participate in the ABM degree program, the Director of the Graduate Program must inform the student, the Department Chair, and the School of Graduate Studies in writing of his/her ineligibility.
• A student who is ineligible to participate in (or withdraws from) the ABM program, cannot double count any courses for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Exceptions to the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program Time Limits:

The School of Graduate Studies may grant exception to the above time limits. The Dean will consider and evaluate the specific nature of the extenuating circumstances and the compelling reasons that prompted the Director of the Graduate Program and/or the advisory committee to make the request. Requests may be submitted formally and should explain the extenuating circumstances and provide a reasonable timeline for completing the work within the limits of the extension.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Science degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Kinesiology Graduate Program.

At the Masters degree level, At the Masters degree level, students may pick between the research-focused track or the professional skills track in Kinesiology. The Research-Based Masters Degree option provides extensive experience in research and scholarship and may be either the final degree or a step toward entry into a doctoral program. 

The Professional Science Master's Degree option (PSM) involves an intensive internship or fieldwork and includes professional science courses shared among other PSM programs. This program integrates the technical skills of the Kinesiology Master’s degree with the professional workplace skills—professional writing, budgeting, project management, data analytics, among others-- necessary to thrive and advance in the workplace.  The course also provides a practical-oriented workplace relevant capstone/internship experience. This program is recognized and approved by the National Professional Science Master’s Association.

Research (Thesis) Option (30 credits):  

1. A minimum of 24 credits in Kinesiology graduate courses, including 6 credits of thesis work on a topic related to Kinesiology.  
2. A minimum of 6 credits in graduate research methods and statistics courses.
3. A program of Study, signed by the applicant, the Department Chair, and the Director of the Graduate Program must be submitted. The Program of Study must clearly indicate the courses (a maximum of 12 graduate credits) that will be double counted for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees; the courses that will be taken after being accepted into the graduate program; the graduation date for the master’s degree that meets the time limit for the ABM program.

Non-Thesis Professional Science Masters (PSM) Option (30 credits): 

1. A minimum of 6-9 credits in core PSM Quantitative Skills courses:

2. A minimum of 9-12 credits in core PSM Professional Skills courses:

3. The remainder of graduate courses from Kinesiology, including 6 credits of internship in an area related to Kinesiology.

4. A program of Study, signed by the applicant, the Department Chair, and the Director of the Graduate Program must be submitted. The Program of Study must clearly indicate the courses (a maximum of 12 graduate credits) that will be double counted for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees; the courses that will be taken after being accepted into the graduate program; the graduation date for the master’s degree that meets the time limit for the ABM program.