Department of Exercise and Sport Science (GRAD)

The Department of Exercise and Sport Science's graduate program offers a master of arts degree in exercise and sport science. Applicants to the program can choose between three areas of specialization: exercise physiology, kinesiology, or sport administration. The minimum number of semester credit hours required by The Graduate School for the master of arts degree is 30. However, the minimum required by the sport administration track is 32. Required courses are determined by the faculty in each area of specialization. In addition to course requirements and other required curricular experiences, exercise physiology and kinesiology graduate students must pass a written comprehensive examination on all coursework. (Sport administration students must complete an approved substitute for the comprehensive exam in the form of two capstone courses.) All students must complete a research thesis, and successfully defend the thesis in a final oral examination.

Specialization Descriptions   

Exercise Physiology

The mission of the exercise physiology specialization is to prepare students to pursue research careers in exercise physiology related fields, biomedical industries, or careers in the fitness/wellness industry. Biomedical and wellness careers include those in sport settings, those in hospital fitness centers or clinics, academic or industry research assistants/coordinators, or those within the biotechnology industry. 

Students preparing for research careers or Ph.D. programs are provided an advanced understanding of how the physiological constructs are applied to exercise and the environment, as well as knowledge of the research process. Additionally, those students are provided the opportunity to develop laboratory techniques and acquire laboratory skills. Students preparing for a career in the fitness/wellness field are provided background, testing skills, and practical experience to succeed in a variety of settings. Many exercise physiology graduate students, no matter the area of focus, have presented research at national and regional science conferences, as well as other professional meetings.

Kinesiology

The mission of the kinesiology specialization is to prepare graduate students to pursue careers in kinesiology related fields, the general biomedical or health industry, and careers in the sport science industry. Students will complete advanced coursework in data science applications, research design and statistics, as well as flexibility in electives to meet their desired goals within the kinesiology fields. The program offers courses, exposure, and learning opportunities connected to biomechanics, human performance, sport science analytics, sport and exercise psychology, and neuromuscular control to name a few.

Sport Administration

The mission of the sport administration specialization is to integrate theory and practice to prepare graduate students for leadership positions specifically within intercollegiate athletics. Within a two-year learning experience, the sport administration graduate student cohort, consisting of a highly select and diverse group of students from across the United States, engages in both formal coursework and intense practical experiences designed to prepare for a college sport administration career. During their first year, students are provided challenging coursework in administration, economics/finance, legal issues, sport marketing, governance and compliance, research methods/statistical analyses, and sport facility and event management. In addition, students engage in extensive hands-on event-operations experiences with the UNC Athletics Department. During the second year, students complete a full-time, one-year internship in an administrative area within the UNC Department of Athletics, a capstone two course sequence, and a research thesis. Thirty-two hours of graduate coursework are required.The program's website contains additional information.

Law and Sport Administration Dual-Degree Program (J.D.–M.A.)

The dual-degree program provides an opportunity for students who are interested in both law and sport administration to earn both degrees over four years of study. Students benefit from a respected law curriculum, combined with a sport administration curriculum with a unique focus on intercollegiate athletics. There is a growing market in college athletics for professionals with both degrees. Graduates of the dual-degree program may work in athletic compliance and enforcement at a university, conference office, or national governing body such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Legal positions in athletics departments, fundraising and development, and law firms that represent colleges and conferences are also likely. To be eligible to apply for the J.D.–M.A. dual-degree program, students must be currently enrolled in their second year in the UNC–Chapel Hill School of Law. Students will be responsible for paying tuition and fees separately to both the Law School and The Graduate School. The M.A. in exercise and sport science must be completed prior to or simultaneously with completion of the J.D. degree. Completion of the M.A. requires successful completion of all required exercise and sport science courses, a capstone two-course sequence, and a research thesis.

Business and Sport Administration Dual-Degree Program (M.B.A.–M.A.)

The dual-degree program provides an opportunity for students who are interested in both business administration and sport administration to earn both degrees over four years of study. The UNC–Chapel Hill Kenan–Flagler Business School (M.B.A.program) and the UNC–Chapel Hill Department of Exercise and Sport Science program offer a graduate dual-degree option. The M.B.A./M.A. (EXSS) dual program consists of a minimum of three (3) academic years of full-time study. Students must complete a minimum of 62.0 credit hours through the Kenan–Flagler Business School for the degree of master of business administration (M.B.A.) and a minimum of 32.0 credit hours through the Department of Exercise and Sport Science for the degree of master of arts (M.A. EXSS) in sport administration. M.B.A. dual-degree students are eligible to receive a maximum of 12.0 credit hours (just under 20 percent) of elective credits towards their M.B.A. degree requirements from courses completed within the EXSS program.

Ph.D. Study

The interdisciplinary program of study in human movement science is designed to provide students from various fields an opportunity to pursue doctoral studies in human movement science. The Department of Health Sciences grants the degree. Unique foci of the program are on maintaining health, preventing disability, and improving movement ability in persons with movement problems. The program provides training through a rigorous research curriculum of didactic and research experiences, and an interdisciplinary emphasis provided by faculty, coursework, and students. The curriculum combines core requirements for all students in the program while allowing for considerable flexibility in designing programs of study to meet the needs of a specific student's interests. A key feature of this program is the interdisciplinary orientation of faculty and the combined efforts of several successful programs that span across campus and beyond. The program reflects the ongoing interest, planning, and cooperation of the following departments and schools at UNC–Chapel Hill: the Department of Health Science's Division of Physical Therapy, the Department of Exercise and Sport Science, the joint UNC–NCSU Biomedical Engineering Program, the Gillings School of Global Public Health and its Department of Epidemiology, and the UNC School of Medicine's Department of Orthopedics and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

The mission of the program is to prepare scholars to be exceptional interdisciplinary researchers, educators, and leaders in the field of human movement. Program graduates will excel as independent researchers and future leaders in addressing scientific problems related to human movement in a global, integrated manner for the benefit of society. HMSC faculty members conduct applied and translational research using interdisciplinary approaches focused on healthy and impaired human movement. Research conducted through the program reflects the complexity and interdependence of the multiple systems underlying movement and ultimately will promote health and physical well-being. Students of varied academic disciplines are accepted into the program and study across the spectrum of sport injury epidemiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and neuromuscular control/motor learning. The curriculum's website contains additional information.