Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (Exercise Physiology)
Website: https://twu.edu/kinesiology/graduate-programs/exercise-physiology/
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Physiology at Texas Woman’s University is a research-intensive program focused on the study of physiological mechanisms underlying physical activity, performance, health, and disease. The program prepares graduates for careers in academia, clinical research, and leadership roles in applied and translational settings.
The program emphasizes developing independent research skills, including experimental design, advanced statistical analysis, and interpretation of complex physiological data. Students engage in hypothesis-driven and translational research utilizing progressive laboratory techniques and instrumentation.
Doctoral students work closely with faculty mentors to develop independent lines of research and are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with programs such as biology, nutrition, and public health. Training includes scientific writing, grant development, and dissemination of research through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
The program requires a minimum of 96 credit hours, including prior graduate coursework and a minimum of six semester credit hours dedicated to dissertation research.
Applicants must have completed at least six undergraduate credit hours in Exercise Physiology. In addition, students are required to select a minor or cognate area of study aligned with their research interests, such as biology, chemistry, nutrition, or public health.
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.
- Conduct appropriate statistical methods and research design to data related to exercise science.
- Evaluate the influence of varying environments with exercise responses and training.
- Identify risk factors related to metabolic diseases and interpret how exercise may reduce relevant risk factors.
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.
Degree Requirements
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 | |
Exercise Physiology Emphasis
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| KINS 5553 | Applied Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KINS 5573 | Graded Exercise Testing | 3 |
| KINS 5583 | Hormonal Responses during Exercise | 3 |
| KINS 5613 | Cardiovascular Response to Exercise | 3 |
| KINS 5683 | Exercise Evaluation and Prescription | 3 |
| KINS 6821 | Research in Exercise Physiology (Taken 3 times) | 3 |
| KINS 6813 | Advanced Research in Kinesiology (Taken 3 times) | 9 |
| Minor, Related Studies, or Electives (As approved by Advisory Committee) | 15 | |
| Appropriate Work from Master's Degree (As approved by Advisory Committee) | 35 | |
| 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.
