Examples of Possible Careers*
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
- 9.3% much faster than the average
- 64,700 number of jobs
- $85,600 potential earnings
Exercise physiologists
- 11.3% much faster than the average
- 19,800 number of jobs
- $50,280 potential earnings
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
- 6.1% faster than the average
- 138,300 number of jobs
- $91,510 potential earnings
Contact Information
Fully Offered
Admission Terms
*Note
Source of occupation titles and labor data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Description
The Ph.D. degree in Exercise Physiology prepares students for a wide variety of career options, including exercise prescription and research. The program develops the competencies needed for those who intend to teach exercise physiology, pursue research or apply exercise physiology in practice.
Accreditation
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Admission Requirements
- Master's degree from an accredited college or university
- Previous degree in exercise science or equivalent preparation
- Minimum 2.750 graduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale (effective spring 2023 admission) (minimum 3.500 GPA is recommended)
- Official transcript(s)
- GRE or MCAT score of the 50th percentile (effective spring 2022, GRE or MCAT are no longer required)
- Goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- Interview
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 77 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 Duolingo English Test score
Effective Spring 2022:
- Curriculum vita or résumé are required for admission to the program.
For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Present their research data regionally and nationally at conferences.
- Publish their research data in peer reviewed publications.
- Teach classes associated with exercise physiology.
- Work in the field and implement community-based exercise programing.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
EXPH 73050 | RESEARCH PROCESSES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING AND EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | 3 |
EXPH 73051 | QUANTITATIVE AND RESEARCH METHODS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING AND EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | 3 |
EXPH 73091 | RESEARCH SEMINAR 1 | 2 |
| 9 |
| MUSCLE FUNCTION AND EXERCISE | |
| ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS AND EXERCISE | |
| ENERGY METABOLISM AND BODY COMPOSITION | |
| EXERCISE ENERGY METABOLISM |
| CARDIO-RESPIRATORY FUNCTION | |
| CARDIOVASCULAR-RESPIRATORY DYNAMICS DURING EXERCISE |
| 6 |
| PHYSIOLOGY OF AGING:IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN BEHAVIOR | |
| PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF EXERCISE AND SPORT | |
| NEUROBIOLOGY OF EXERCISE AND MOVEMENT | |
| |
EXPH 83098 | RESEARCH | 12 |
EXPH 83199 | DISSERTATION I 2 | 30 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 65 |
Graduation Requirements
- Only in rare instances does a student fulfill the educational and research expectations within the minimum-credit-hour requirement for this degree. Any deficiencies in a doctoral student’s academic preparation must be corrected very early in the approved academic program.
Candidacy Examination
Students will be required to pass an oral and written candidacy examination after coursework is completed before beginning their dissertation. Prior to taking the candidacy examination, the student must demonstrate his or her ability to conduct independent research related to the field of exercise physiology. This may be in the form of a completed thesis, an independent study project or an article published in an acceptable research journal. The acceptability of such evidence is to be determined by faculty advising students in exercise physiology.