Kinesiology

Admissions

Graduate Kinesiology Admission

Regular admission to the Graduate Kinesiology Program at Avila University is competitive and students are selected on the basis of their preparation and ability. If offered admission, that offer is specific to the term stated in the admission letter. If you do not register for classes or complete your first semester, you may be required to apply again in a subsequent semester. The Department follows admission requirements and policies as stated in the graduate catalog.

Criteria for Regular Admission

Please see the Admissions page of this catalog. In addition to those requirements, applicants must also submit:

• Two letters of recommendation
  • Letters of recommendation should be from previous faculty, supervisors, or community leaders who are able to assess the potential future success of the applicant in a graduate program.
  • Family members, familial-type relations and friends are expressly prohibited from being recommenders.

Applicants who have not graduated with a bachelor’s degree will be considered for regular admission before graduation. The University reserves the right to change the admission decision once the final, official transcript is received. All final transcripts must be received before enrollment beyond the first semester of enrollment is permitted.

4 + 1 Accelerated Option

The Department of Kinesiology offers an accelerated option to outstanding undergraduate Avila Kinesiology students allowing a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Kinesiology to be earned in as few as 5 years. Through early admission to the Master of Science in Kinesiology program, students admitted to the accelerated 4+1 program may earn up to 15 credit hours at the graduate level to be counted toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.  Interested students should submit an application for admission to the Department of Kinesiology.  The admission process should be started early to ensure timely consideration.  Students may consult with the department Program Director prior to applying. 

Accelerated 4+1 Admission Requirements

1. Declared major in Kinesiology at Avila University
2. Third year status and minimum overall and Avila University 3.00 GPA.
3. A minimum of 18 credit hours completed in Kinesiology courses with a minimum 3.25 GPA in the major.
4. Kinesiology departmental application.
5. Interview - Once all other application materials have been received, the department will coordinate an admission interview.

NOTE: Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the accelerated option.  All completed application files will be considered, though an interview may not be extended to every applicant.  A denial decision to the accelerate option does not preclude future admission into the Kinesiology graduate degree program.  Once admitted, a 3.0 GPA in all graduate and undergraduate coursework must be maintained, with no grades below a “B” at the graduate level.  Failure to meet these minimum requirements will result in removal from the accelerated option.

Kinesiology Required Courses

• KN 518 - Clinical Kinesiology (3)
• KN 519 - Biomechanics & Motion Analysis (3)
• KN 520 - Stress Physiology (3)
• KN 581 - Advanced Exercise Physiology (3)
• KN 627 - Evidence-Based Practice (3)
• KN 643 - Statistics in Kinesiology (3)
• KN 676 - Neurophysiology of Movement (3)

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• KN 699 - Applied Research Project (1-3)

• OR

• KN 682 - Internship in Kinesiology (1-3) and
• 600-Level Kinesiology Elective (3)

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• Approved Electives (minimum 6 credit hours)

• KN 565 - Strength & Conditioning with Lab (3)
• KN 580 - Topics in Kinesiology (1-3) *
• KN 680 - Topics in Kinesiology (1-3) *

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• *A combined maximum of 9 credit hours of Topics in Kinesiology courses may apply toward the degree.

Outcomes

Upon graduation, a student majoring in Kinesiology should be able to:

Foundational Knowledge: Demonstrate an advanced broad-based knowledge of important sub-disciplines that contribute to the field of Kinesiology including: functional anatomy, integrative physiology, biomechanics, motor behavior, clinical kinesiology, and related analytical methods and procedures in applied exercise science and therapeutic rehabilitation. 

Application of Knowledge: Demonstrate the application of foundational knowledge in the forms of critical (i.e. analyzing and evaluating), creative (i.e. new ideas or designs), and practical (i.e. problem solving and decision making) thinking. 

Integration of Theory and Practice: Integrate discipline specific knowledge, skills, and abilities through an evidence-based approach to research and practice. 

Multimedia Communication: Employ a multimedia approach to communication, collaboration, and the presentation of scholarly work.

Assessment

• The learning outcomes for the graduate Kinesiology degree program will be assessed through a combination of written and performance assignments, examinations, and projects. These outcomes will be outlined in detail in individual course syllabi. (KN 518 , KN 519 , KN 520 , KN 565 , KN 581 , KN 627 , KN 643 , KN 676 , KN 680 , and KN 682  and/or KN 699 )
• Formative assessment of student performance (i.e. learning, persistence, and completion) is imbedded throughout each course and at the program level.  Each of these levels of assessment provide students and faculty frequent and focused feedback related to student performance. This feedback guides real-time adjustments and modifications for the purpose of improving student performance.
• Benchmarks for assessment are internally set by the department. Students may also obtain a copy of these outcomes in the Graduate Kinesiology Student Handbook.