Online Master's Degree in Kinesiology
A.T. Still University offers a post-professional degree in kinesiology as well as specialized certificates in kinesiology focus areas. The Master of Science in Kinesiology and each certificate option are designed for working health and fitness professionals and are focused on developing experts to be clinical leaders in kinesiology, exercise science, health and fitness.
In these exceptional online programs you will develop skills to help lead your community and advance your practice. Through the master’s program you will gain comprehensive knowledge and proficiency in functional anatomy, exercise physiology and kinesiology, behavior change, functional assessment and exercise program design. Certificate programs will increase your understanding of these topics as they apply to a specific segment of human movement and body mechanics.
Offered through the College of Graduate Health Studies, this graduate level online Kinesiology program focuses on evidence-based research allowing clinicians working with clients, patients and populations to immediately apply what they’ve learned. The program elevates sports medicine, exercise and fitness professionals by enhancing knowledge, skills, and abilities in the design and maintenance of exercise science programs, and serves as a valuable source of credibility to health professionals, athletic organizations, educators, club owners, coaches, and fitness department managers.
Read MoreProgram essentials
Master of Science in Kinesiology Curriculum Overview
This program in exercise science and kinesiology offers an experience-based curriculum that prepares students to be leaders in advanced kinesiology, with expertise in functional anatomy, physiology, human movement, behavior change, functional assessment, fitness and exercise program design.
The online kinesiology degree program consists of 45-credit hours of study: 30 credit hours comprise core course work and 12 credit hours of specialty-track/certificate course work.
All of the below tracks are available as stand-alone certificates to enhance your existing credentials, without the need to enroll in the complete Master of Science in Kinesiology program. Students interested in a kinesiology certificate should select the corresponding option on the ATSU-CGHS application.
Student Insights
"I enrolled in ATSU’s Kinesiology program so I could help others move better, move more, and move pain free after injury or illness. As a medically retired firefighter, I know how devastating an injury can be, how stressful surgery is, and how the road to full recovery is often bumpy and complicated. ATSU’s program in Kinesiology has given me the tools and biopsychosocial perspective I need to effectively help others along their journey to optimal rehabilitation and peak performance.”
~ Joletta Belton, Contributing Writer at National Tactical Fitness Greater San Diego Area
Requirements
- Application:
- Completed and signed admissions application along with a nonrefundable application fee.
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Academic:
- An accredited bachelor’s degree from a university recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Applicants who received their qualifying degree from a university outside the United States will have to provide a degree equivalency evaluation.*
- Official transcript from the qualifying degree-granting institution. For students using VA benefits transcripts for all institutions attended are required.
- Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) at the qualifying degree institution.
- Two years of experience as a health, sport, or fitness professional, or a training professional with an NCAA accreditation (ACE, ACSM, NASM, IFPA, NCSF, NESTA, NFPT, NSCA, Cooper Institute) or licensed healthcare professional.
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Elements of Success:
- A current resume
- Completion of an essay
- English Proficiency **
- Meet technology requirements***
*Applicants who have graduated from a foreign college or university should submit acceptable evidence of U.S. degree/course equivalency. All course work taken at the foreign institution must be evaluated for American institution equivalence by one of the following services:
- World Education Services P.O. Box 5087 Bowling Green Station New York, NY 10274-5087 p: (212) 966-6311 f: (212) 739-6139 info@wes.org
- Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. P.O. Box 514070 Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 (414) 289-3400
- American Assn. of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 520 Washington, DC 20036-1135 (202) 293-9161
- Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants 7101 SW 102 Avenue Miami FL 33173 p: (305) 273 -1616 f: (305) 273 -1338 info@jsilny.com
- Intl. Education Research Foundation, Inc. PO Box 3665 Culver City, CA 90231-3665 (310) 258-9451
**Applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in English when applying to A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Studies. Written and spoken proficiency in the English language may be demonstrated by one of the following options:
- Option 1 - English is your first language.
- Option 2 - Graduated from a regionally accredited four year college/university in the United States with a BA/BS or graduate degree.
- Option 3 - You are demonstrating your English proficiency by submitting acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Accepted test types for CGHS are:
The Computer Based Test (CBT), Internet Based Test (iBT), or the Paper Based Test (PBT) are accepted. The following are the minimum required score based on test type:
- CBT - minimum total score of 213
- iBT - minimum total score of 80
- PBT - minimum total score of 550
The TOEFL is administered by TOEFL/TSE Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ, 08541-6151, USA 609. 771.7100. A.T. Still University’s institutional code is 0339. Please be sure to include this information when you submit your application packet. TOEFL Educational Testing Services P.O. Box 6151 Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, 609.771.7100
***ATSU technology requirements
Career Advancement
According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, from 2019-29 the fitness industry is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.
- Athletic trainer
- Public school coach
- Weight training instructor
- College athletic director
- Exercise psychologist
- Management positions in sports management
- Professional assistant coach
- Physical education instructor
- College coach
- Corporate wellness manager
- Fitness choreographer
- Fitness instructor
- Sports psychologist
- Sports researcher
- Intramural sports director
- Professional head coach
- University professor
- Strength and conditioning coach
Year 1
Year 2
Adaptive Sports Track
Corrective Exercise & Orthopedic Rehabilitation Track
Exercise and Sport Psychology Track
Geriatric Exercise Science Track
Sports Conditioning Track
Dual Track Option
Tuition
Review tuition and fees for Master of Science in Kinesiology program. Please note tuition and fees are subject to change.
Financial Aid
Federal financial aid is available for qualifying students. For more information visit Enrollment Services or contact them at 660.626.2019 or by email at enrollmentservices@atsu.edu.
Associate Professor
Sarah Everman, PhD, graduated with a doctorate in kinesiology from Arizona State University (ASU). Her dissertation research was conducted in the Center for Metabolic Biology (CMB) at ASU. During her research in the CMB, Dr. Everman studied some of the molecular mechanisms responsible for insulin resistance in lean and obese humans. Specifically her work looked at the effects of an infusion of branched chain amino acids in humans on insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle. This research was performed using in vivo procedures such as the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, stable isotope tracer infusion, muscle biopsies, and mass spectrometry to assess the metabolism of glucose and protein under various physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions. Her work has resulted in publications at national conferences and in journals such as PLoS ONE, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, and the American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology, and Metabolism. Sarah joined the kinesiology faculty at A.T. Still University in 2011. Her teaching emphases are human physiology, the physiological adaptations to exercise, and research methods. Currently, she is working on a research project with her colleague Dr. Jack Daniels to study the effect of aging on cardiovascular responses to exercise in formerly elite male runners.
Sarah is also the vice chair of the ATSU-CGHS Faculty Council and a Matter of Balance Master Trainer.
In addition to teaching and research, Dr. Everman dabbles in endurance sports and has worked with equestrian athletes of all levels. When she is not working, Sarah studies enology (the science of wine and wine making). Previously from Oregon, but now a resident of Arizona, she is thankful for the many athletic opportunities available year-round in the Valley of the Sun.
She looks forward to pursuing her passion for teaching, research, and service in the field of human physiology with the vibrant group at ATSU for many years to come.
Professor
Dr. Rhea earned a PhD at Arizona State University (2004) and has received international recognition for his research in enhancement of sport and occupational performance. He was invited to present at the International Olympic Committee’s World Congress on Sports Science in Athens, Greece just prior to the 2004 summer Olympics and at the International Conference on Strength Training in Odense, Denmark (2006). Dr. Rhea was awarded the Outstanding Young Investigator from the NSCA in 2008. He has published research in the leading journals in the field of exercise science and sports conditioning and works closely with our top organizations to further knowledge, understanding, and applications of exercise related benefits.
His current research interests involve examining methods for enhancing performance and preventing sports- and occupational-related injuries. Dr. Rhea has an impressive professional background, working as a coach, strength and conditioning coach, and personal trainer for 10 years. He has worked with college strength and conditioning programs for the golf, football, basketball, and baseball teams and has consulted various elite sports organizations regarding advanced conditioning.
Assistant Professor
Sheri Walters PT, DPT, MS, SCS, ATC, CSCS, is an assistant professor at A.T. Still University in the Department of Kinesiology. Since 2011, Dr. Walters has served as volunteer medical staff with the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field Team. She was invited by the United States Olympic Committee to assist with the delivery of medical care for the Paralympic Equestrian, Swimming, and Track and Field Teams and for the Paralympic Track and Field during the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Prior to her appointment at ATSU, Dr. Walters served as the director of performance physical therapy at EXOS ; head athletic trainer and rehabilitation coordinator at Indiana State University; worked at the Medical Center of Arlington, providing rehabilitation services to the Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, Fort Worth Flyers, Dallas Baptist University, and local high schools athletes; and served as assistant athletic trainer for the Detroit Shock women’s basketball team.
Dr. Walters received her doctorate of physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine and is currently pursuing her PhD in physical therapy through Texas Woman’s University. She earned a master’s of physical therapy and master’s of science in athletic training from the University of Florida while working with the Gator football and women’s golf teams as an athletic trainer. She earned a bachelor’s degree in health, physical education, and recreation with an emphasis in athletic training from East Central University.
Dean
Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM-EP, PN-1, FACSM is the Dean of the College of Graduate Health Studies at AT Still University. Dr. Hastie received her doctor of education from George Fox University (2013), her master of science in exercise and sport science with an emphasis in biomechanics from the University of Oregon (2003), and her bachelor of science in exercise science from Gonzaga University (2001). She is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and is a certified Exercise Physiologist.
Prior to joining ATSU, she was a Professor of Exercise Science and Program Chair for the Exercise Science Program at Lasell University (Newton, MA). Dr. Hastie also served as the Faculty Fellow for the Fuss Center for Research on Intergenerational Education and Aging and received the deWitt Excellence in Educational Leadership Award from Lasell University. Dr. Hastie served as Faculty Chair of the University’s governance system.
Dr. Hastie has served in several leadership roles at the regional and national level of the ACSM, which include her current roles on the Professional Education Committee at the national level and as the President-Elect for the New England chapter. Her research interests have included exploring the connection between lifelong physical activity and long-term health outcomes, the relationship between exercise training and cognition, and the effects of discrimination experiences on health-related coping behaviors.
Dr. Hastie has extensive experience in online program development, teaching, and assessment. She developed an online Master of Science in Nutrition for Human Performance program and has 18 years of experience in both synchronous and asynchronous teaching formats. She became an educator because she strongly believes in the development of the whole student as a crucial responsibility of higher education institutions.
Program Chair and Assistant Professor
Dr. Rogers has a combination of academic and applied experience in the exercise field. She received her bachelor of science degree in psychology from the University of Arizona and went on to earn her PhD in Kinesiology, with a focus on sport and exercise psychology, from Arizona State University, in 2003. Dr. Rogers is a consultant and faculty member for the American Council on Exercise where she creates courses and serves as a subject matter expert for curriculum development and continued education.
Dr. Rogers speaks nationally to fitness professionals and writes extensively on the role of the personal trainer in triggering lasting behavior change and on the creation of exercise environments that promote long term adherence. In addition, Dr. Rogers works with athletes and teams, helping them realize the control they have over their athletic experience and performance. Dr. Rogers is passionate about getting people moving and helping them incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.
University Catalog
Read the University Catalog to learn more about the Master of Science in Kinesiology degree online program and university.
A.T. Still University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
230 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500,
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: 800.621.7440 | Fax: 312.263.7462
Email: info@hlcommission.org
Why earn a master's degrees in kinesiology?
Learn the benefits of earning a kinesiology master's degree, if you're a good fit for this program, career opportunities, and more.
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Master of Science in Kinesiology Degree Faculty
The kinesiology faculty you will learn from include renowned experts in the field, including researchers, authors, elite coaches and a former Olympian. Their research has been published and presented in leading sources around the world and their professional work is cutting-edge. Through its collaboration with leading organizations in exercise, health, and fitness, our online Kinesiology degree program exposes exercise science students to leaders in the field, and innovative ideas for current and future solutions on addressing unmet community health needs.
National Strength and Conditioning Association Recognition
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Education Recognition Program (ERP) recognizes regionally accredited academic institutions for their educational programs that have met, and continue to meet, educational guidelines recommended by the NSCA.
The Graduate Studies Program recognizes colleges and universities that offer at least a Master’s degree related to strength and conditioning and/or sport performance. For successfully meeting established criteria, the NSCA officially recognizes A.T. Still University’s Graduate Program in Kinesiology as a Graduate Studies Program.
Application
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877.626.5577 or cghsonlineadmissions@atsu.edu
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800 W. Jefferson Street Kirksville, MO 63501
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