Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (Biomechanics and Motor Behavior)
Website: https://twu.edu/kinesiology/graduate-programs/biomechanics/
The Ph.D. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Biomechanics and Motor Behavior prepares students to become independent researchers, scholars, and leaders in the study of human movement. The program emphasizes advanced training in the mechanical, neuromotor, perceptual, and behavioral processes that underlie human mobility biomechanics, movement control, skill acquisition, performance, and rehabilitation. Students develop expertise in the experimental design, quantitative analysis, and interpretation of human movement across healthy, aging, athletic, and clinical populations.
Marketable Skills
Marketable skills prepare students for success in a variety of professional settings. Developed through academic coursework, co-curricular engagement, and extracurricular involvement, these skills include communication, critical thinking, teamwork, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and digital literacy. Whether directly related to a student’s major or serving as complementary strengths, marketable skills enhance career readiness and reflect TWU’s commitment to producing graduates who are prepared to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.
- Formulate meaningful and original research questions related to biomechanics, motor behavior, and human movement science.
- Design rigorous experimental studies that examine biomechanics, movement control, coordination, learning, performance, and rehabilitation across diverse populations.
- Collect, manage, and analyze human movement data using appropriate quantitative methods, research technologies, and statistical approaches.
- Interpret and communicate research findings effectively to academic, clinical, and applied audiences through scholarly writing, presentations, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Translate movement-science evidence into practice in areas such as rehabilitation, injury prevention, mobility, and sport performance.
Admissions
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
The academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.
Total Semester Credit Hours Required
96 semester credit hours, including approved semester credit hours from master’s level work and 6 semester credit hours for dissertation.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: SHPK Core | ||
| KINS 5033 | Applied Statistical Principles (Research tools) | 3 |
| KINS 6043 | Statistical Inference (Research tools) | 3 |
| KINS 6113 | Seminar | 3 |
| KINS 6143 | Research Design in Kinesiology (Research tools) | 3 |
| HSC 6831 | Integration of Theory and Research in Health Sciences | 1 |
| Dissertation | ||
| KINS 6983 | Dissertation (I) | 3 |
| KINS 6993 | Dissertation (II) | 3 |
| Total SCHs | 19 | |
Biomechanics and Motor Behavior Emphasis
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| KINS 5513 | Mechanical Analysis of Human Motion | 3 |
| KINS 6523 | Advanced Biomechanics | 3 |
| KINS 6563 | Human Motor Control | 3 |
| KINS 6573 | Motor Learning and Performance | 3 |
| KINS 6623 | Biomechanical Analysis I: Motion Analysis | 3 |
| KINS 6643 | Biomechanical Analysis II: Data Acquisition and Instrumentation | 3 |
| KINS 6813 | Advanced Research in Kinesiology (Taken 4 times) | 12 |
| Minor, Related Studies or Electives (As approved by Advisory Committee) | 21 | |
| Appropriate Coursework from Master's Degree (As approved by Advisory Committee) | 26 | |
| Total SCHs | 77 | |
Required Courses
13 semester credit hours.
Emphasis
77 semester credit hours, depending on the emphasis area and recommendations of the Advisory Committee. Includes Minor, Related Studies, Electives, and Appropriate Coursework from Master's Degree in consultation with the Advisory Committee.
Dissertation
6 semester credit hours of dissertation work with the committee chair. The first 3 credit course focuses on the development and oral defense of the research proposal. The student enrolls in a second 3 credit course to conduct the dissertation study, analyze results, and present findings. Both courses may be repeated, but only three hours of credit count toward the degree for each course.
Research Tools
The student, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, will determine 12 semester credit hours designated as research tools.
Qualifying Examination
Candidates for the doctoral degree must pass a qualifying process and comprehensive examination ascertaining a student's:
- breadth and depth of knowledge requisite to perform successfully within the profession,
- understanding and application of a discipline's foundational literature, and
- readiness to complete a dissertation.
The exam is comprised of four written sections covering selected areas of the student’s emphases and an oral defense of written responses. It may be repeated once. Students are eligible to begin the comprehensive exam process during their final semester of coursework and after completing all prerequisites (if admitted conditionally), all research tools, and all core courses. The exams may be repeated only once. A student who fails a second comprehensive exam attempt will be removed from the Kinesiology doctoral program.
Final Examination
The Dissertation Committee conducts an oral examination of the candidate’s research after the dissertation is completed. At the committee's discretion, the examination may be repeated only once.
