Pursue a Ph.D. in Kinesiology online or on campus through one of the few doctoral
programs in the nation designed to fit around your schedule.
As critical concerns surrounding obesity, diabetes and other preventable chronic conditions
continue to rise, UND's Ph.D. in Kinesiology prepares you to build a meaningful career
as a scholar, researcher, educator or industry leader, driving evidence-based solutions
that improve individual and population health.
In this program, you'll develop the expertise to lead, innovate and advance knowledge
in the science of human movement. By working closely with faculty from the start,
you'll gain hands-on experience applying research to improve health and performance
while addressing critical issues such as chronic disease prevention and physical activity
promotion.
Through completion of the on-campus or online Kinesiology Ph.D., you'll:
Design and conduct original research that advances knowledge in the science of human
movement, culminating in a dissertation that contributes new insights to the field.
Work closely with faculty mentors from the beginning of the program, gaining hands-on
experience in research design, data collection, analysis and scholarly publication.
Customize your doctoral experience through electives and research focus areas aligned
with your career goals, such as biomechanics, exercise physiology, sports psychology,
motor development, health promotion or pedagogy.
Develop advanced analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills that prepare
you for leadership roles in higher education, research institutions, healthcare performance
and industry settings.
Apply evidence-based strategies to address real-world challenges related to health,
physical activity, performance and chronic disease prevention across diverse populations.
Build a strong professional network through collaboration with faculty, peers, interdisciplinary
partners and community organizations, positioning you for career advancement in a
growing STEM field.
Ph.D. in Kinesiology at UND
Engage in immersive, faculty-mentored research from day one, using an apprentice-style
model that emphasizes individualized guidance, early research involvement and meaningful
scholarly output.
Complete your Ph.D. 100% online or on campus through one of the few kinesiology doctoral
programs in the nation that offers this level of flexibility, allowing you to advance
your education without relocating or pausing your career.
Customize your degree to match your professional goals, with elective and research
opportunities spanning biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor development, sports
psychology, pedagogy, health promotion and emerging areas such as esports.
Study in a STEM-designated field aligned with national workforce needs, preparing
you for leadership roles in higher education, research and health-related industries
experiencing sustained growth.
Gain applied experience through community- and partner-based learning, including internships,
supervised field experiences and collaboration with sports organizations, health programs
and performance-focused partners.
Benefit from strong institutional support for doctoral students, including eligibility
for tuition waivers, competitive graduate teaching and research assistantships and
annual funding for conference travel and professional development.
Career Opportunities with a Ph.D. in Kinesiology
9%
Projected job outlook for exercise physiologists through 2034 (faster than average)
A Ph.D. in Kinesiology will prepare you for a wide range of impactful and fulfilling
careers in higher education, research, healthcare, performance and health-focused
organizations. As demand grows for evidence-based approaches to physical activity,
chronic disease prevention, human performance and wellness across a lifespan, graduates
with advanced expertise in kinesiology are well positioned for leadership roles in
academia and industry. Potential career paths include:
Academic and Research Careers
University professor or researcher: Conducts research, teaches undergraduate and graduate
courses, and mentors students in Kinesiology, Physical Education Teacher Education,
Physical Activity, or Health Sciences.
Research scientist: Leads or collaborates on research projects in universities, research
institutes, or healthcare organizations.
Postdoctoral fellow: Conducts specialized research training before pursuing independent
academic or research careers.
Health and Human Performance Careers
Exercise physiologist: Applies advanced scientific methods to study human performance
and health outcomes.
Sport performance scientist: Uses biomechanics, physiology, psychology, and data analytics
to optimize athletic performance.
Clinical research specialist: Designs and manages clinical or behavioral intervention
studies related to physical activity and health.
Leadership and Policy Careers
Program director or academic administrator: Oversees educational programs, research
centers, or community health initiatives.
Public health or physical activity policy specialist: Develops and evaluates policies
promoting active lifestyles and population health.
Sport science consultant: Advises professional teams, national sport organizations,
and training institutions.
Employers Hiring Kinesiology Ph.D. Graduates
Graduates with a Ph.D. in Kinesiology work in a variety of research, education, and
professional settings:
Universities and research institutions
Medical schools and healthcare systems
Professional and collegiate sport organizations
Government and public health agencies
Nonprofit organizations focused on health and physical activity
Sport performance and human performance laboratories
Ph.D. in Kinesiology Courses
EFR 510. Becoming a qualitative researcher: techniques, skills and practical methods. 3 Credits.
Qualitative researchers engage in systematic inquiry and direct collaboration with individuals and communities to explore highly contextualized phenomenon with the purpose of action or change. Qualitative methods are naturalistic, highly contextual, participatory and relational. Exploring the lived experiences and perspective of others requires attention to relationships, rapport and trust among all participants. From justice-centered and critical perspectives, this course introduces students to qualitative research methods in the social sciences to equip them with the skills for conducting qualitative research.Students will learn fundamental participatory methods of data collection including observations, interviewing, focus groups, as well as data analysis and writing up qualitative findings. F,S,SS.
EFR 590. Special Topics in Education. 1-4 Credits.
Exploration of special topics in the study of education not regularly included in available course offerings. May be repeated for different topics. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or advisor. Repeatable.
EFR 516. Statistics II. 3 Credits.
An in-depth study of inferential statistics with primary emphasis on analysis of variance models, multiple regression techniques, analysis of covariance and other higher-order statistical procedures. Prerequisite: EFR 515 or consent of instructor. S,SS.
You can complete your Ph.D. in Kinesiology online. For this program, we offer the
same online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare the cost of a Ph.D. in Kinesiology online and you’ll see UND is lower cost than similar four-year doctoral universities. This
makes UND’s Ph.D. in Kinesiology one of the most affordable online Ph.D. in Kinesiology
in the nation.
Flexible Online Kinesiology Ph.D.
A majority of the Ph.D. courses are offered online either synchronously or asynchronously,
giving you maximum flexibility to complete the degree in the style you prefer. This
allows you to interact with others in real time or stream video of classes at a later
date. In many Kinesiology online courses, you'll be expected to participate in "live" discussions
held outside of classroom lecture times. These are held at set times, usually in the
evenings, which are convenient for most students
With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance
work, family and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere
at any time.
Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:
Lesson modules
Streaming video content
Virtual libraries
Posted lectures
Online simulations
There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through
online discussion boards, polls and chat rooms.
Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within
a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure
and deadlines.
Synchronous classes are held in real-time. If you’re the kind of learner who likes
active discussion and immediate feedback through live interaction, you’ll enjoy this
online course format.
Every class is different, but generally, you’ll log into a virtual classroom at scheduled
times to:
Listen to a lecture
Ask questions
Participate in class discussions
Conduct group activities
Participate in video-sharing
Have chat conversations
Use interactive whiteboards
Take live polls
You should prepare for your classes by finishing any assigned readings, compiling
questions for your instructor and thinking about how to contribute to the next live
class.
Why UND online?
Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a
combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't
be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored
to your needs.
No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality
education as any other on campus student.
Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time
and take the same classes as a student on campus.
Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers
and professionals in the field.
Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future
career.
Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help
online study resources.
Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course?
We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory
to achieve higher test scores.
Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online
help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and
military services, financial services and more.
24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers
to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.
Best Online College
Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates
make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs
rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the
best online schools in the region.
UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:
Affordability
Student satisfaction (retention rate)
Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)
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