The Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences (HSES) prepares aspiring students to work in health, sport management, and exercise science-related fields. The Ph.D. program prepares individuals for faculty, instructor, and research positions at the university level.
Doctoral students may pursue the Ph.D. degree in health, sport, and exercise science in the following concentration areas below:
Concentration in Exercise Physiology: Students enrolled full-time in the Ph.D. program with an exercise physiology concentration typically complete the degree in four years. The program also welcomes professionals in the field to enroll part-time and complete the degree on an extended timeline.
Concentration in Health Education: Students enrolled full-time in the Ph.D. program with a health education concentration typically complete the degree in three years. The program also welcomes professionals in the field to enroll part-time and complete the degree on an extended timeline.
Concentration in Sport Management: Students enrolled full-time in the Ph.D. program with a sport management concentration typically complete the degree in three years. The program also welcomes professionals in the field to enroll part-time and complete the degree on an extended timeline. Doctoral students are able to participate in active research being conducted in the Amateur Sport Research Center.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet both the University and departmental admission requirements to be considered for the program.
University of Kansas Graduate Admission Requirements
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Doctor of Philosophy in Health, Sport and Exercise Science Application Requirements:
Students applying for the PhD program MUST contact a faculty member in their concentration area for a required interview.
- A completed graduate application.
- Application fee.
- Official transcripts of all degree-granting post-secondary institutions you have attended and an official transcript for each degree earned.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Personal statement declaring your interest in the program and its relationship to your graduate course or study and/or career objectives.
- Current resume or CV.
- Writing sample
- Minimum of a 3.5 GPA
- Contact your desired advisor regarding the GRE requirements.
- Please note: Students applying for Ph.D. programs MUST contact a faculty member in their specialization area for a required interview. It is possible that multiple interviews will be required before a decision is made. Students must have a faculty advisor that is able to work with them.
Ph.D. Degree Programs
The Doctor of Philosophy degree is offered with concentrations in exercise physiology, health education, and sport management. Students must interview with a faculty advisor in the intended emphasis before admission.
With the advisor, each student develops a plan of study consistent with the student’s needs and the faculty’s expertise. Students are required to take the following coursework to earn their degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 1 | 33 |
| 2 | 12 |
| 3 | |
| HSES 990 | Doctoral Seminar | 3 |
| HSES 996 | College Teaching Experience in: _____ | 3 |
| HSES 999 | Doctoral Dissertation | 18 |
| Total Hours | 69 |
Comprehensive Exam - In HSES doctoral programs, students do an alternative comprehensive exam. In this format, the student completes a research manuscript that is suitable for a mid-tier journal in their chosen field. Additionally, they complete a dissertation length literature review of the topic of interest. An oral defense is conducted after these two documents are deemed to be of a passing quality. Comprehensive examination information and requirements can be found at: https://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/doctoral-oral-exams
Dissertation Proposal - After successfully completing the comprehensive exam, students are required to complete a dissertation proposal. The dissertation proposal must be read and approved by a minimum of 3 dissertation committee members. One copy of the approved dissertation proposal title sheet, signed by these members of the dissertation committee, along with an electronic copy of the proposal must be submitted to the School of Education and Human Sciences Graduate Division office.
-Dissertation - A minimum of 18 credit hours of dissertation is needed for the doctoral degree. These credits cannot be applied to the student's major. Dissertation policy information can be found at: https://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/doctoral-dissertation
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Improve communication skills of students in our major.
- Increase professional preparedness for all graduate students in our programs.
- Increase awareness and understanding of DEIB issues in Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences.
