[1] Objectives

The Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education offers the Master of Science with a thesis/non-thesis option. The MS degree is designed to develop a high level of knowledge and competence in the many different professional programs associated with the discipline–pedagogy, fitness and sports leadership. The degree is a multi-purpose degree that can prepare the candidate for teaching or for service in an area outside the field of education. This degree, particularly with the thesis option, can also serve as preparation for work at the doctoral level.

[2] Program Admission and Retention Requirements

Admission to graduate study and admission to candidacy for the Master of Science degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education will be the same as stated in the current Graduate Bulletin. Score report on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Section must be submitted prior to admission.

Retention in the program will be the same as stated in the current Graduate Bulletin, except it will feature a “maximum of three Cs restriction.” That is, Master of Science degree candidates majoring in Kinesiology and Physical Education will not be allowed to have more than three Cs recorded for graduate work. The fourth C earned by the degree candidate will result in dismissal from the graduate program.

[3] Degree Requirements

[3.1] Thesis Option (30 hours)

The thesis candidate must complete and submit a Master’s Thesis in accordance with the graduate thesis requirements in the current UCA Thesis and Dissertation Preparation Guide. After the thesis has been read and approved, and before the candidate is recommended to the Dean of the Graduate School for graduation, the candidate will meet with the Thesis Committee for an oral examination, which will consist principally of a defense of the thesis. A majority of the student’s committee must approve the thesis and defense. If approval is denied, the candidate will not be recommended for graduation. In this event, the student may be re-examined at a later period, no sooner than three months after initial examination.

[3.1.1] Core requirements (12 hours)

KPED 6310, 6315, 6316, 6333

[3.1.2] Thesis research (6 hours)

KPED 6301, 6302 (The procedures for selecting and writing a thesis will be the same as prescribed in the current Thesis and Dissertation Preparation Guide).

[3.1.3] Electives (12 hours)

Selected with approval of graduate advisor to include not more than six hours from an outside field

[3.2] Non-Thesis Option (36 hours)

The student will be required to pass a written and oral comprehensive examination. The examination will be administered during the spring and fall semesters and the first summer session each year. To be eligible to take the examination the student must be within six hours of completing the degree requirements. An oral examination will be scheduled no later than two weeks following the written examination. It will be the responsibility of the student to advise the department’s graduate coordinator of the intent to take the examination.

[3.2.1] Core requirements (12 hours)

KPED 6310, 6315, 6316, 6333.

[3.2.2] Electives (24 hours)

Selected with approval of graduate advisor not to exceed more than nine hours from an outside field. Courses in Kinesiology and Physical Education that can be used as electives under either option are KPED 5310, 5331, 5363, 5371, 6300, 6320, 6330, 6334, 6340, 6350, 6360, 6370.

[4] Graduate Courses in Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPED)

Follow this link for KPED course descriptions: course link.