Program Overview
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Coordinator: David Hydock, Ph.D.
Email: David.Hydock@unco.edu
Location: Gunter 2590
Telephone: 970-351-3053
Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/sport-exercise-science/
Explore how and why humans move—and how movement can shape lives, health, and performance. The Master of Science (M.S.) in Kinesiology is designed for students seeking advanced knowledge and applied experience in the study of human movement.
You may pursue a broad interdisciplinary path or focus your studies in biomechanics, exercise physiology, or the social psychology of physical activity and sport. Throughout the program, you will gain hands-on laboratory and research experience and work closely with faculty engaged in cutting-edge inquiry.
To support your professional and academic goals, the program offers both a Thesis Option and a Non-Thesis Option.
Admission
Location: Greeley
Start Term: Fall and Spring
General Master's Degree Admission Requirements
Admission Deadline
At the M.S. level, programs will typically (but not always) admit students to the program in both spring and fall. For specific questions related to these deadlines, applicants are encouraged to communicate directly with faculty in the program they are applying to for further clarifications. Applications received by the appropriate date listed below will receive priority screening. Applications received after the date may not be reviewed if no program spots are available.
- Fall Admissions: Feb. 1
- Spring Admission: Sep. 1
Admission Requirements
Applicants must apply to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.
Each applicant must:
Take the following steps to be considered for admission:
Step 1: Complete the Application
Complete the online application.
- Answer the application questions.
- Send your requests for letters of recommendation.
- Request two (2) academic or professional letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your academic potential and abilities. You will be asked to supply information for your recommenders in the application.
- Submit the application and pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Domestic Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- International Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- The Graduate School is waiving application fees for all current UNC students and alumni! (The waiver applies only to the UNC Graduate School application.) Click for details.
Step 2: Request Transcripts
Request one official transcript from any Institutionally Accredited college or university where a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned or is in progress (if you have earned multiple degrees, bachelor’s level or higher, an official transcript is required from each college or university where a degree was conferred). If you received a degree from UNC, you do not need to request a transcript from UNC. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request that applicants provide official transcripts from other colleges or universities as needed. Applicants who have earned or are directly pursuing a higher degree from a regionally accredited institution without receiving a bachelor’s degree (e.g., PharmD) may be eligible to apply to the Graduate School without the conferral of a bachelor’s degree.
Exceptions: If an applicant intends to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.
Official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.
Mailed transcripts should be sent to:
University of Northern Colorado
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 10
501 20th St
Greeley, CO 80639
Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: grad.admissions@unco.edu.
The Office of Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.
UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Office of Admissions will make every attempt to use previously submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Office of Admissions cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.
Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.
Step 3: Note About the GRE
This program does not require GRE scores.
Step 4: Supplemental Items
Log back into the Admissions Portal to submit the following:
- Written Statement of your background, career goals and research interests (if applicable). Please indicate that you are applying to the Kinesiology M.S. program in the first paragraph. Failure to do so could mean a rejection of your application.
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate School and then sent to the faculty/program for an admission recommendation. The timing of the admission decision depends on each individual program’s deadline and review process.
International Applicants
International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.
For More Information
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.
Degree Requirements — 33 Credits
Required Credits — 9 credits
| KIN 602 | Introduction to Research in Kinesiology | 3 |
| or | |
| SRM 600 | Introduction to Graduate Research | 3 |
| | |
| KIN 601 | Statistics in the Movement Sciences | 3 |
| or | |
| SRM 602 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| | |
| KIN 625 | Laboratory Techniques in Kinesiology | 3 |
Choose 9 credits from the following with advisor approval
Electives — 15 credits
The following courses are recommended electives
Comprehensive Exam
Thesis Option — 6 credits
The comprehensive exam requirement may be fulfilled with a thesis option. The thesis option may be included as elective hours within a student's program and requires the completion of a research study, including problem development with data collection and appropriate analysis. The thesis will be completed in a format consistent with UNC Graduate School guidelines. Students must request approval from their advisor to complete the Thesis, and at least one additional UNC faculty member will comprise the thesis committee.
Non-Thesis Option
To fulfill comprehensive exam requirements, students not completing a thesis must earn an appropriate, professional certification after beginning the Kinesiology M.S. program or complete a department-approved alternative comprehensive exam option. Professional Certifications (e.g., National Strength and Conditioning Association's Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, American College of Sports Medicine’s Certified Exercise Physiologist) should be completed during the last semester of course work AND prior to the Graduate School's deadline for results of the written comprehensive examination (see deadlines on Graduate School website). An alternative comprehensive exam may also be completed with department approval.
This option must be discussed and APPROVED by the program advisor. Students selecting this option must complete 6 credits of approved elective coursework and/or a graduate internship in addition to earning an appropriate, professional certification or completing a department approved alternative comprehensive exam.