The Committee on Exercise Science offers an interdisciplinary graduate program leading to the PhD degree in Exercise Science. The committee sets guidelines and supervises programs of study. One of the unique features of this interdisciplinary program is that, because it uses faculty research and teaching interests from a number of academic units, a student may tailor a course of study to fit individual needs and goals. The committee is composed of members from the various academic units listed above. Courses, however, are not limited to these academic units. Concentrations are available in biomechanics, motor behavior, physiology of exercise, and sport psychology.

The PhD degree in Exercise Science is an individualized interdisciplinary program that integrates graduate courses from a variety of academic units to provide a sound foundation for research leading to a dissertation. Topics for these dissertations come from one of four research areas: biomechanics, motor behavior, physiology of exercise, and sport psychology.

Admission. In addition to meeting Division of Graduate Studies requirements, students must submit a letter designating a potential area of interest, the name of a potential mentor (from the list of faculty), and a statement of career goals to the director of the Committee on Exercise Science. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, and the writing score), a professional résumé, and three letters of recommendation must also be submitted. All applicants whose native language is not English must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language score. Preference is given to applicants already holding a master’s degree, although exceptional students possessing only a baccalaureate degree may apply. Admission decisions are based on the compatibility of the applicant’s career goals with the purpose of the degree program, previous academic training and performance, GRE scores, recommendations, and match of research interests with those of available mentors. To be considered for research or teaching assistantships, all application materials should be received before December 1.

Program of Study. The program of study consists of a minimum of 54 semester hours of graduate work beyond the master’s degree (84 hours of graduate credit for applicants holding only the baccalaureate degree). Of the 84 semester hours, at least 30 hours (which may include research credit) of the approved PhD program, and 24 research and dissertation hours must be completed after admission to a PhD program at ASU. An individual program of study is selected in consultation with the student’s supervisory committee. The program of study reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the degree program. Students are expected to have fulfilled a majority of the foundational course work before admission. Prerequisites that have not been completed must be taken as remedial work in addition to the program of study.

Foreign Language Requirements. None.

Comprehensive Examinations. Upon completion of course work and before commencing dissertation research, the student is given written and oral examinations. After the student has passed the comprehensive examinations, a dissertation committee is appointed by the dean of graduate studies. After the dissertation committee has approved the dissertation prospectus, the student is eligible to apply for admission to candidacy.

Dissertation Requirements. The dissertation must consist of a fully documented written analysis of a problem that extends the knowledge and/or theoretical framework of the field. The research should demonstrate the student’s creativity and competence for independent research.

Final Examination. A final oral examination in defense of the dissertation is required. The candidate must take the final oral examination within five years after passing the comprehensive examinations. Any exception must be approved by the supervisory committee, the director of the Committee on Exercise Science, and the dean of graduate studies and ordinarily involves repetition of the comprehensive examinations.

See Exercise Science.