Kinesiology FAQs
The Online Kinesiology graduate degree program is most appropriate for athletic coaches and physical education teachers. Certainly, these programs may appeal to others interested in kinesiology, the science of people in motion; however, they are primarily designed to meet the needs of coaches and physical educators.
May I use these online courses to meet teacher certification requirements?
Teacher certification requirements vary greatly from state to state. Your state education agency (in Texas it's the Texas Education Agency) has procedures by which they can determine what you would need to do beyond your bachelor's degree to be certified to teach in the public schools. In Texas, a deficiency plan is developed for each student. After you have found out what you must do to be certified in your state, look at the courses offered to determine whether you could use them to satisfy all or some of your teacher certification requirements.
How do I apply and what are the general admission criteria?
Students must apply to and be accepted by one of the four participating universities who are authorized to award the degree. These are (1) U.T. El Paso, (2) U.T. Pan American, (3) U.T. Permian Basin, and (4) U.T. Tyler. Criteria and deadlines for admission vary slightly from one university to another, but are the same as the traditional residence programs on these campuses. Consult the universities conferring the degrees for specific details. View a table comparing admission requirements among the universities. Generally, overall GPA's from baccalaureate work should be around 3.0 and, in most cases, satisfactory GRE scores must be verified and must accompany the application. International students will need to submit TOEFL scores.
Must I have an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology or Physical Education?
Each degree-granting university has criteria by which students may be accepted into the master's program on a provisional or conditional basis. Students who do not have undergraduate degrees in Kinesiology, Physical Education, or a related discipline, or who do not meet other unconditional-admission criteria may be accepted on a conditional basis. Again, consult the universities conferring the degrees or the advisors for specific requirements.
May I transfer in graduate work already completed at another university?
Each of the four degree-granting universities has provisions for graduate students to transfer graduate courses from other universities. The policies are the same for resident and online students, but the specific policies and procedures regarding graduate transfer hours do differ from university to university. It is best to check with a graduate faculty advisor to ensure that you receive the correct answer for your particular situation.
How much does it cost to take a course?
Students are billed by the campus hosting the course. Links to campus tuition and fee information can be found on the cost & financial information page
Will my employer accept the Online Master's degree in Kinesiology as a "real" degree?
All of the U.T. System universities are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The high quality of the Online Kinesiology program is ensured through the Academic Affairs Committee. This committee is made up of Kinesiology faculty and/or administrators from each participating campus. Its priority is to ensure that the online degree meets the same standards as their onsite degree programs.
What resources and activities will faculty use in the program to provide students with experiences that are comparable to residency programs?
Class sizes are limited and courses are designed to enhance interaction between faculty and students. Chat rooms, threaded discussions and email are used to facilitate discussions. Team projects and small group discussions are used to help students share their teaching, coaching, athletic, and other professional experiences with each other as part of the learning process.
How many semester credit hours are required to complete the degree plan?
Thirty to thirty-six depending upon the degree program you select. All courses taken from other participating UT universities or "host campuses" in the Online Kinesiology program can be transferred to students' "home campuses" to fulfill degree requirements. Depending on course load and other responsibilities, students may complete the program in as little as two years or as many as six. To view a table comparing degree requirements among the universities, click here.
Will I have to visit any of the participating home or host campuses?
Students will not be required to visit or attend the home or host campuses at any time. The Online Master's degree in Kinesiology is offered using the Internet. Courses may include the use of supplemental materials such as video/audio tapes and CD-ROM, but these are available without having to come to campus. Some students may come to campus. For example, some students may choose to take online courses during the fall and spring, but come to campus for courses in the summer. Local students may take on-campus courses and mix-and-match them with online courses to meet degree requirements, with graduate faculty advisor approval.
Who do I contact at each university to get specific admission details?
Refer to the list of advisors.
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