Graduate Faculty Committee Document 1249 Approved December 17, 2012 RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON GRADUATE COURSE AND CURRICULUM, THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES RESEARCH AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS COMMITTEE, AND THE FACULTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY FOR CHANGES TO THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN KINESIOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM I. Current Graduate School Bulletin Copy NOTE: Only sections that are changing have been included. Overview The Master of Science degree in Kinesiology is a research-oriented program, multidisciplinary in nature, encompassing five human movement science disciplines: Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Motor Control, Sport and Exercise Psychology, and Sociology of Physical Activity. Each of the five subdiscipline areas is supported by a research laboratory and at least one graduate faculty member holding a PhD and conducting ongoing research in the area. More than a dozen graduate faculty supervise thesis research, advise graduate students, and deliver the graduate curriculum. Many of our current students and graduates work full-time as educators and health professionals and complete their degrees on a part-time basis. The program is designed to accommodate their needs as well as those of a growing cohort of full-time students. At present, the program annually supports ten half-time teaching assistants. In addition, a limited number of research assistantships and/or project assistantships become available on a year-to-year basis as faculty procure research grants and contracts. Master of Science in Kinesiology Admission An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program: A bachelor's degree in kinesiology, biology, nursing, occupational therapy, physical education, psychology, sociology, physical therapy, zoology or equivalent preparation. Undergraduate coursework in the two subdiscipline study areas selected by the student as indicated in the application/personal statement (e.g., exercise physiology and sociology). Submission of scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination. Submission of two letters of recommendation. All materials must be received by January 15th for full consideration for the following Fall.
Graduate Faculty Committee Document 1249 p. 2 Approved December 17, 2012 Applicants may be admitted with specific program-defined course deficiencies provided that the deficiencies amount to no more than two courses. The student is expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. The deficiencies are monitored by the Graduate School and the individual graduate program unit. No course credits earned in making up deficiencies may be counted as program credits required for the degree. Applicants with undergraduate majors in areas other than those noted in this section may be admitted on a similar basis. An applicant who does not meet minimum departmental or Graduate School entrance requirements, but meets Graduate School requirements for a probationary admission (see the Admission Requirements section) should contact the Graduate Program Director for additional probationary entrance requirement information. Credits and Courses The minimum degree requirement is 33 graduate credits for Option A and B. Option A students must take 9 credits of core courses: Seminar in Human Movement Sciences, Statistical Analysis in the Health Sciences, and Survey of Human Movement Sciences Research. Option B students must take 6 credits of core courses: Seminar in Human Movement Sciences, and Statistical Analysis in the Health Sciences. Students are expected to complete coursework in three of the five subdiscipline areas of study. All students are expected to identify a primary subdiscipline of interest and at least one supporting subdiscipline area. Students are encouraged to take supplemental graduate courses in other UWM graduate programs. Option A: Thesis Option Students prepare a research thesis, which will earn 6 credits within the required 33 graduate credit minimum. Each student is responsible for identifying a major professor and a thesis committee before completing 12 graduate credits. The thesis committee should consist of a minimum of three graduate faculty: the major professor from the student's primary subdiscipline, a departmental faculty member from the supporting subdiscipline, and one other departmental or other UWM graduate faculty member. The thesis committee approves a program of studies designed to lead the student into the thesis research area. To make subsequent changes, the student must petition the departmental Graduate Faculty Committee prior to any intended change. The student must pass a comprehensive oral examination in defense of the completed thesis. Option B: Non-Thesis Option
Graduate Faculty Committee Document 1249 p. 3 Approved December 17, 2012 Of the 33 graduate credits required, students must successfully complete 6 credits of HMS 891 - Research Seminar; 3 credits with the major professor and 3 credits with a professor representing the supporting area. The student must pass a comprehensive written examination first in the primary area of concentration and then in the secondary area of concentration. II. Summary of Proposed Changes 1. Update the areas of study within the MS Kinesiology degree. The current areas of study (As seen in the overview section above) include: Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Motor Control, Sport and Exercise Psychology, and Sociology of Physical Activity. The new, proposed areas of study (as seen in the overview section below) include: Exercise and Diet in Health and Disease, Integrative Human Performance, or Neuromechanics. 2. Expand current options for a research methods course beyond just KIN 703 (Survey of Kinesiology Research). Previously, students only had the option to take KIN 703 as the research methods course to fulfill degree requirements. The new proposed changes read, Survey of Kinesiology Research (KIN 703) or Foundations of Clinical Research (KIN 705), or equivalent. 3. Remove KIN 701 (KIN Seminar) as a requirement in the program of study for MS Kinesiology students. 4 Modify the Non-Thesis Option (Option B): a. Remove 6 credits KIN 891- "Research Seminar" and replace with 3 KIN 890- "Research Project" (repeatable to 6 credits) b. Replace the comprehensive written examination in the primary and secondary areas of concentration with a research project and an oral defense of the project. 5. More clearly define pre-requisite coursework required for admission. Previous pre-requisites read: Undergraduate coursework in the two sub discipline study areas selected by the student as indicated in the application/personal statement (e.g., exercise physiology and sociology).
Graduate Faculty Committee Document 1249 p. 4 Approved December 17, 2012 The new, proposed changes read: Students must have successfully completed (B or better) undergraduate coursework (or equivalent) in statistics, human anatomy (with lab), human physiology (with lab), and the following, dependent on selected area of study: Exercise and Diet in Health and Disease exercise physiology or medical physiology exercise testing and prescription or performance assessment psychological or sociological aspects of human behavior (or equivalent) introduction to nutrition or eating behavior Integrative Human Performance exercise physiology or medical physiology exercise testing and prescription or performance assessment sport & exercise psychology Neuromechanics biomechanics or physics motor behavior or a psychology course including human movement III. Justification for Proposed Changes General Statement: We have updated our curriculum to reflect current practices and knowledge in the field of Kinesiology. 1. Update the areas of study within the MS Kinesiology degree. The proposed changes to the areas of study are reflective of the current integrative field of Kinesiology. These areas of study represent the current state of research and practice in Kinesiology. 2. Expand current options for a research methods course beyond just KIN 703. There are a number of high quality research methods classes offered on campus. We would like to provide students the opportunity to select (in consultation with their advisor) the class that best meets their career goals. 3. Students will still have the option to take KIN 701, however, because it is not required, students will be provided with the opportunity to replace these credits with content specific to their career goals. 4. For the non-thesis option, we feel a capstone project is a better reflection of a student's ability to demonstrate learning through application, analysis, evaluation and creation of the final project than a comprehensive exam. KIN 890 Research Project is a more appropriate course for this purpose than KIN 891 Research Seminar.
Graduate Faculty Committee Document 1249 p. 5 Approved December 17, 2012 5. More clearly define pre-requisite coursework required for admission. Our previous prerequisites were rather vague and resulted in confusion on the part of the applicant. IV. Proposed Graduate School Bulletin Copy Overview Kinesiology is an academic discipline which involves the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society, and quality of life. (www.americankinesiology.org) The Master of Science degree in Kinesiology provides students with an understanding of how physical activity (including sport and exercise) impact and are affected by various physiological, mechanical, and psychosocial aspects of human health and performance. The degree offers focused study in Exercise and Diet in Health and Disease, Integrative Human Performance, or Neuromechanics and prepares students for careers in higher-education, research, and practice through didactic coursework in the areas of Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Motor Behavior, Rehabilitation, Sport& Exercise Psychology, and Psychosocial Aspects of Health Behavior. Knowledge and skills in research-related and discipline-specific coursework helps prepare students to address complex real-world health and performance issues and utilize critical thinking skills to generate knowledge and make sound decisions to support continued personal and professional development. Master of Science in Kinesiology Admission An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program: 1. A bachelor's degree in kinesiology, biology, nursing, occupational therapy, physical education, psychology, sociology, physical therapy, zoology or equivalent preparation. 2. Students must have successfully (B or better) completed undergraduate coursework (or equivalent) in statistics, human anatomy (with lab), human physiology (with lab), and the following, dependent on selected area of study: Exercise and Diet in Health and Disease exercise physiology or medical physiology exercise testing and prescription or performance assessment psychological or sociological aspects of human behavior (or equivalent) introduction to nutrition or eating behavior Integrative Human Performance exercise physiology or medical physiology exercise testing and prescription or performance assessment sport & exercise psychology
Graduate Faculty Committee Document 1249 p. 6 Approved December 17, 2012 Neuromechanics biomechanics or physics motor behavior or a psychology course including human movement 3. Submission of scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test. 4. Two letters of recommendation to the Department's Kinesiology Graduate Program Director from persons familiar with applicant's academic ability and achievement. For more specific information about departmental requirements for admission, please visit the Kinesiology Department's MSK Admissions web page. Applicants may be admitted with specific program-defined course deficiencies provided that the deficiencies amount to no more than two courses. The student is expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. The deficiencies are monitored by the Graduate School and the individual graduate program unit. No course credits earned in making up deficiencies may be counted as program credits required for the degree. Applicants with undergraduate majors in areas other than those noted in this section may be admitted on a similar basis. Applicants should visit the UWM MS Kinesiology web site for additional information and deadlines. Credits and Courses The minimum degree requirement is 33 graduate credits for Option A and B. Option A and B students must take 6 credits of core courses: Statistical Analysis in the Health Sciences (KIN 702) or equivalent, and Survey of Kinesiology Research (KIN 703) or Foundations of Clinical Research (KIN 705), or equivalent. Students are expected to identify an area of study and complete a minimum of nine credits of coursework in that area. Students will also be required to take a minimum of 12 credits (thesis) or 15 credits (capstone project) of electives that will serve as specialization courses. Elective courses may be selected from inside and outside the Department of Kinesiology. Option A: Thesis Option Students prepare a research thesis, which will earn 6 credits within the required 33 graduate credit minimum. Each student is responsible for identifying a major professor and a thesis committee before completing 12 graduate credits. The thesis committee should consist of a minimum of three graduates Faculty: the major professor from the student's primary area of study, a departmental faculty member from the primary area of study, and one other departmental or other UWM graduate faculty member. The thesis committee approves a program of studies designed to lead the student into the thesis research area. To make subsequent changes, the student must petition the departmental Graduate Faculty Committee prior to any intended change.
Graduate Faculty Committee Document 1249 p. 7 Approved December 17, 2012 The student must pass a comprehensive oral examination in defense of the completed thesis. Option B: Non-Thesis Option Of the 33 graduate credits required, students must successfully complete a minimum of 3, repeatable to a maximum of 6 credits of KIN 890 Research Project. The student must pass comprehensive oral examination in defense of the completed project. V. Recommendations for Action A. Revision of the M.S. in Kinesiology is approved as reflected in the proposed changes and Graduate School Bulletin copy described above. B. The revised requirements are effective Semester I, 2013-2014, following appropriate administrative approval. Currently enrolled students will have the option of following the old or new requirements.