Department Description

The Department of Kinesiology offers a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology (MSK). The Master of Science in Kinesiology is a fully online program offered through Extended Education and Global Outreach (EEGO).  The MSK will provide students with a breadth of knowledge in kinesiology including an emphasis in: behavior change, exercise physiology, program design, movement science, and evidence-based practice in kinesiology. Students will gain experience evaluating individual needs, developing exercise and wellness plans, and educating individuals and their families. The program will require students to complete a culminating experience or thesis that will provide students with a practical experiential learning opportunity or a research experience.

Graduate Student Classification

Conditionally Classified Graduate Student

Applicants that do not meet all of the admission requirements for the Master of Science in Kinesiology may be provisionally admitted to the MS Kinesiology graduate program as a Conditionally Classified Graduate Student if, in the judgment of the Kinesiology Graduate Admissions Committee, the applicant has the potential to successfully complete all requirements within a reasonable timeframe (usually one calendar year). These requirements (or approved substitutions) will be determined by the Kinesiology Graduate Admissions Committee and specified in the admission letter. Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student can apply for full acceptance to the MS Kinesiology graduate program as a Classified Graduate Student. Failure to satisfactorily complete all requirements in the specified timeframe will result in dismissal from the MS Kinesiology graduate program. Note: Conditionally Classified Graduate Students may not enroll in more than 10 semester units of coursework for graduate credit prior to advancing to Classified Graduate Student status.

Classified Graduate Student

Classified Graduate Student status indicates that the minimum admissions requirements for the Master of Science in Kinesiology have been satisfied and that space has been made available in the MS Kinesiology graduate program.  Specific minimum admission requirements for Classified Graduate Student status are listed below:

1. Kinesiology major/minor or equivalent courses from Kinesiology are required prerequisites for the graduate program.
2. An applicant who does not have a major or minor in Kinesiology must take three undergraduate courses from the areas of biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control/learning, applied kinesiology, or functional anatomy and one course from the areas of sport psychology or exercise psychology.
3. Completion of prerequisite coursework.
4. Applicants must have completed a college/university level course with a grade of C or better in the following 3 content areas:
   1.  Human Anatomy (BIOL 2210 Human Anatomy)
   2. Human Physiology (BIOL 2220 Human Physiology )
   3. Introductory Statistics (KINE 2018 Introduction to Statistics for Health Sciences, MATH 2200 Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Methods, PSYC 2018 Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychological Research or SOC 2208 Introduction to Statistics in the Social Sciences)
   4. Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university
   5. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 units of all coursework
   6. A Plan of Study approved by the Graduate Program Director

Advancement to Candidate Status

Candidate status indicates that the student has completed at least 18-semester units within the approved Plan of Study and that there is a reasonable expectation that the student will complete all remaining degree requirements within one year. Classified Graduate Students will be advanced to Candidate status when they have met the following criteria:

1. Completion of all requirements for Classified Graduate Student status.
2. Completion of at least 15 units toward the Master of Science in Kinesiology degree with a graduate GPA of at least 3.0.
3. Completion of the Capstone Committee Membership Record Form and approved by the Program Director and the faculty advisor and capstone committee.

Graduate Advisor, Plan of Study and Time Limit

The Graduate Program Coordinator will serve as the advisor. Upon admission the student should arrange an appointment to develop a program plan of study.  All requirements for the degree must be completed within seven calendar years after admission to the MS Kinesiology graduate program.  The seven-year limit may be extended by an approved petition to the Kinesiology Graduate Committee.

Capstone Options for Degree

Students must complete one of two capstone options for the degree:

1. Project: KINE 6800 Culminating Experience: A project is a significant undertaking appropriate to the fine and applied arts or to professional fields. It evidences originality and independent thinking, appropriate form and organization, and a rationale. It is described and summarized in a written abstract that includes the project's significance, objectives, methodology and a conclusion or recommendation. The project option allows students to research and refine a problem proposed or approved by the organization; develop an explicit working agreement governing the scope and deliverables of the project; collect data and/or conduct analyses relevant to the project. The project option requires a final report or manuscript and oral defense. Projects may or may not be submitted to the CSUB Library, depending upon program requirements. Students should consult with their program’s Graduate Program Director for project requirements.
2. Thesis: KINE 6810 Kinesiology Thesis: The thesis option consists of an original laboratory or community-based investigation that systematically studies a problem. The finished document requires independent thinking, appropriate organization and format and thorough documentation.  An oral defense is required.

Students must complete KINE 6010 Research Methods in Kinesiology prior to enrolling in KINE 6800 Culminating Experience or KINE 6810 Kinesiology Thesis.

Note: KINE 6170 Kinesiology Practicum/Field Experience and KINE 6180 Kinesiology Research can be taken concurrently with KINE 6800 Culminating Experience and KINE 6810 Kinesiology Thesis if approved by the Program Coordinator, concurrent scheduling aligns with the program plan of study and student has an approved petition for advancement to candidacy.

Academic Performance Requirement

All graduate students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better in all courses taken to satisfy the requirements for the degree as specified in the student’s plan of study.

Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement

All graduate students must satisfy the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) as soon as possible in their graduate study, unless they have already done so. Please refer to the Division of Graduate Programs in the catalog for further details.

Program Requirements

Application for the Master of Science in Kinesiology

Persons seeking a Master of Science in Kinesiology degree must apply through Extended Education and Global Outreach for admission to the MS Kinesiology graduate program.  After an application review by a 3-member committee consisting of the Program Coordinator and two program faculty, students will receive a letter of acceptance into the program.  Accepted students will be classified as either a Conditionally Classified Graduate Student or a Classified Graduate Student.

Admissions Requirements for the Master of Science in Kinesiology

1. Hold a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from an accredited four-year college or university
   1. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of coursework.
2.  An applicant who does not have a major or minor in Kinesiology must take three undergraduate courses from the areas of biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control/learning, applied kinesiology, or functional anatomy and one course from the areas of sport psychology or exercise psychology.
3.  Completion of prerequisite coursework.
   1. Applicants must have completed a college/university level course with a grade of C or better in the following 3 content areas:
      • Human Anatomy (equivalent to BIOL 2210 Human Anatomy)
      • Human Physiology (equivalent to BIOL 2220 Human Physiology)
      • Introductory Statistics (equivalent to KINE 2018 Introduction to Statistics for Health Sciences, MATH 2220 , PSYC 2018 Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychological Research or SOC 2208 Introduction to Statistics in the Social Sciences)
4. Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement.  All graduate students who apply for a master's degree must demonstrate upper-division writing competency. If the student has completed this requirement during the baccalaureate program at CSUB or another CSU, this writing competency has been met.
   1. Waivers for Post-Baccaulaureate and Graduate Students.  You will be exempt from the GWAR if you meet any of the four criteria below:
      • You graduated from a CSU or UC since 1980.
      • As of Fall 2006, post-baccalaureate and graduate students with the following test scores (provided the test(s) were taken since 1980):
      • GMAT 4.5 or higher on the writing portion of the GMAT
      • CBEST 41 or higher on the writing portion of the CBEST.
      • GRE 4.5 of higher on the analytic writing portion of the GRE General Test
      • Post-Baccalaureate and graduate students who have one or more articles published as first author in a refereed professional journal may submit their work for review to the chair of the university-wide GWAR committee with a formal request to waive the GWAR.
      • Post-Baccalaureate and graduate students who already have an MA or MS in any discipline that included a master's thesis or project and are working on another degree or credential may submit their thesis or project for review to the chair of the university-wide GWAR committee* with a formal request to waive the GWAR.
5. Complete Admission Application Packet to include the following:
   1. Three completed reference forms. These should come from persons familiar with your performance in the classroom and potential for independent research. These letters are handled as confidential documents.
   2. Personal Statement. This should be limited to 1-2 pages and focus on past experiences an education that would provide evidence to your potential success in the MS program. Include a discussion in your academic and professional interests and how they align with the interests of the CSUB graduate faculty and relate to a graduate degree in Kinesiology.
   3. One official transcript from each college attended
   4. Signed Technology Contract
   5. Complete CSUB Extended University Application
   6. $70 application fee

Only fully completed applications will be reviewed. Once you have been admitted to both the University and the Program, you will attend an advising session with the MSK Graduate Program Director to receive your program outline and discuss program options.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester Admission

Priority Deadline: May 1
Regular Deadline: June 1

Spring Semester Admission

Priority Deadline: October 1
Regular Deadline: November 1

Summer Semester Admission

Priority Deadline: February 1
Regular Deadline: March 1

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Required Coursework
KINE 6010	Research Methods in Kinesiology	3
KINE 6020	Advanced Exercise Physiology	3
KINE 6030	Advanced Movement Science	3
KINE 6040	Advanced Behavior Change	3
KINE 6050	Advanced Program Design in Kinesiology	3
KINE 6060	Evidence-Based Practice in Kinesiology	3
KINE 6170	Kinesiology Practicum/Field Experience	3
or KINE 6180	Kinesiology Research
or KINE 6820	Focused Topics in Kinesiology I
KINE 6700	Current Topics in Kinesiology	3
KINE 6800	Culminating Experience	3
or KINE 6810	Kinesiology Thesis
or KINE 6830	Focused Topics in Kinesiology II
Total Units		27

Coursework may be completed over several semesters. Must complete the required coursework prior to the clinical practicum and culminating experience.