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Graduate Record 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED RECORD]
Kinesiology, M.Ed.
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Return to: School of Education and Human Development: Degree Programs
Graduate degrees in Kinesiology are offered at the master’s level (M.Ed.) and doctoral level (Ph.D.). The Master of Education programs are designed to develop an understanding of major factors affecting specific aspects of physical activity, sport, and exercise. Graduate specializations are offered in kinesiology for individuals with disabilities, exercise physiology, and sports medicine (Ph.D. only). Requirements within each option are distributed among: (1) a core of related courses usually taken within the department; (2) a supporting area suitable to the student’s specialty; (3) research projects, independent study, thesis, and/or practicum experiences as recommended by the advisor; and (4) electives. Graduates are prepared to work in settings such as schools, hospitals, athletic organizations, and private industry. The program also provides opportunities for the development of research skills and preparation for advanced graduate study.
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Program Requirements
A minimum of 36 graduate credits must be earned for the M.Ed. degree, including the successful completion of a comprehensive examination or a thesis.
Concentration in Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities
The Master’s Program in Kinesiology for Individuals (KID) with Disabilities at the University of Virginia is a one-year program (36 credits), which includes one summer and two semesters (fall and spring). The KID Program is ideal for two groups of students. First, the program helps students who are already certified in health and physical education gain experiences and knowledge that would allow then to become adapted physical education specialists. Second, the program helps students interested in eventually attending graduate programs in occupational or physical therapy. The hands-on experiences and coursework make pre-therapy students stronger candidates when they apply for admission to graduate therapy programs.
The KID Program is best known for its emphasis on practical experiences. Students serve as ½ time adapted physical education specialists and have the opportunity to work with occupational and physical therapists in local Albemarle County Public Schools and at the Virginia Institute for Autism. In addition, students serve as volunteer coaches with our local Special Olympics program. Finally, students have an opportunity to volunteer with other disability sports programs at the VA School for the Deaf and Blind, Challenger Baseball, Wintergreen Adaptive Skiing, Charlottesville Parks and Recreation, and Sportable (Paralympics sports program in Richmond, VA).
Culminating Experience
Students are required to pass a comprehensive examination, which for the KID Program is a 100 question, multiple choice exam modeled after the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) Examination. There are no research or thesis requirements in the KID Program.
Public Professional Licensure Disclosure
Note that the Master of Education in Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities program at the UVA School of Education and Human Development is a non-licensure program. Completing the program will not lead to licensure in health and physical education in Virginia or any other state. Those students who already have a teaching license in health and physical education from Virginia or another state are eligible to sit for the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) Exam, which can lead to national endorsement as a Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE).
Concentration in Exercise Physiology
The Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology is a two-year program (there is an accelerated option for UVA undergraduates who are completing the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology to enter the Master’s program in their 4th year and complete by the end of a fifth year). The program offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of human physical activity, physiology, nutrition, metabolism and sports performance. Focus on the prescription of exercise and promotion of physical activity with proper diet for healthy individuals, athletes, and/or clinical populations are our primary focus for improving well-being. The field of exercise physiology thus overlaps considerably with public health, epidemiology, medicine, and athletics.
Our students take courses in metabolism, physiology, nutrition, strength and conditioning as well as disease prevention. Students acquire an ability to provide competent leadership for exercise classes involving healthy and high-risk patients, and a thorough knowledge of procedures for exercise testing that includes electrocardiograms, maximal oxygen consumption, body composition, vascular function and clinical biochemistries. Dietary intake and behavior throughout the lifecycle as well as exercise prescription-based practice will be developed. Students also gain skills in the ability to analyze and interpret basic data obtained during exercise tests, and a working knowledge of research design, methodology, and statistics. Overall, this experience provides a unique platform for students gain knowledge at effectively counseling healthy adults, athletes, clinical populations, and children about lifestyle choices.
*UVA students who have completed the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology with more than 120 hours can count approved graduate credits toward the M.Ed. degree, but must complete an additional 24 credits minimum in their 2nd year.
Culminating Experience
All students must complete a master’s thesis under the direction of the Exercise Physiology faculty or pass a comprehensive exam. Students who are not doing a thesis are expected to participate in additional practicum experiences beyond the KINE 5450/5460 series.
1 - Comprehensive examination. Students must successfully display competence in all areas of exercise physiology covered in the coursework. Students who take this option usually go into fields such as clinical exercise physiology, cardiac / pulmonary rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, or pursue additional training such as medical school. Students pursuing this option can fill out their academic profile by taking courses specific to their career paths. This is the default option for the course.
2 - Thesis option. Students planning on writing a thesis will have to identify an area of research early during their 1st year of the program. They will typically undergo practicum or independent study work with a faculty member on an existing project or a project closely relating to the faculty members area of expertise. The thesis option is at the discretion of the faculty and not guaranteed. Students who pursue the thesis route, usually are planning on entering continuing research beyond the program (PhD or academic medicine) after graduation.
Suggested Timeline for the Master’s Program
Comprehensive Exam Option: Students choosing the comprehensive exam option will work with their advisor to complete a curated list of coursework and hands on practicum experiences, in an effort to develop the skillsets that align with the student’s goals.
Some of the courses taken in the program will be required, however students will have the flexibility in choosing their elective coursework. Typically in their 2nd year of study, students will engage in coursework and practicum options that steer them toward their chosen career/academic path. As an example students may choose to take 2 additional courses in clinical exercise physiology, each with an added practicum experience. Conversely as student pursing strength and conditioning may take an independent study to develop a deeper understanding of a certain aspect of working with athletes.
Regardless of how students develop their academic profile and practicum options, they will be expected to pass a comprehensive exam. The purpose of the exam is to cover fundamental aspects of exercise physiology/nutrition that the Exercise Physiology faculty have determined to be necessary for the successful completion of a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology.
Thesis Option: By the end of the 1st semester (or early into the second semester) of the first year, students should develop a thesis project in conjunction with their advisor and begin to prepare a thesis proposal. The student, in consultation with their advisor, should identify the membership of their thesis committee. Potential committee members should be consulted concerning their interest and availability to serve. The committee should be formed before the thesis proposal; the student’s advisor should send an e-mail to the Graduate Program Director (GPD) with the names, affiliations and role (e.g. Chair, Member, Outside Member) of the proposed committee.
The student should register for thesis proposal credits (KINE 8999 Master’s thesis credits). As part of the proposal preparation, an Informed Consent Document must be written and approved by the University-level Institutional Review Board as appropriate. Be aware that this approval process may take considerable time (e.g. 3-4 weeks).
Practicum Requirement: Students who choose the comprehensive exam option will typically spend a significant amount of time gaining hands on experience in a practicum setting. However, all students, regardless of thesis or comprehensive exam selection, will be required to engage in 1 semester of clinical based field work and 1 semester of a practicum placement that aligns with the student’s career/academic goals.
The program defines “clinically based” as a placement in cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation. This clinical requirement will fulfill 1 of the 2 required practicum experiences. Depending on student preference and availability from our clinical partners, the student may complete their clinical requirement in the fall or spring semester.
Outside the clinical requirement, students selecting the comprehensive exam option will have flexibility in choosing their 2nd required practicum placement. The intent of the practicum experience is to explore areas of interest, while enhancing the knowledge, skills, and abilities obtained while in the program. With this in mind students can choose to spend time in areas such as commercial fitness, corporate wellness, research settings, strength and conditioning, or other placement areas. Regardless of the area in which the student identifies for their 2nd required practicum, faculty will have to approve of the location of choice. A detailed plan will accompany approval of a practicum placement, which will include learning objective, expectations of student and preceptor, and learning outcomes.
Public Professional Licensure Disclosure
As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).
Upon completion of the Master of Education in Kinesiology program at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.
Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))
Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).
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