Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences is in Richmond, Virginia, and offers a master’s degree in health and movement sciences and a PhD in rehabilitation and movement science.
The MS program provides advanced coursework for students interested in applying health and movement science principles to exercise science, teaching and sports medicine.
The PhD program with exercise physiology concentration prepares applied scientists to approach health initiatives from an integrative perspective while conducting research, directing external funding initiatives and teaching in the area of exercise physiology, with particular focus on physical activity’s effect on chronic diseases.
MS in health and movement sciences requires a minimum of 36 graduate-level credit hours and offers both thesis and non-thesis options. Students enrolling in the thesis option will not be required to complete a comprehensive exam. Core courses include:
- Statistical Methods,
- Research Design,
- Movement Physiology,
- Nutrition,
- Psychology of Physical Activity,
- Laboratory Techniques, and
- Clinical Exercise Physiology.
PhD in rehabilitation and movement science requires a minimum of 50 graduate-level credit hours developed in conjunction with a primary advisor. In addition, students must complete a written qualifying exam before proposing, writing and defending a dissertation based on a focused line of research.
The department’s dedicated research building offers cutting-edge equipment and access to applied, clinical, and wet lab practices. Faculty interests include:
- Mental stress and fitness: Edmund Acevedo, PhD
- Dietary interventions and body composition: Salvatore Carbone, PhD
- Energy expenditure and physical activity: Ronald Evans, PhD
- Lifestyle behaviors, vascular health and inflammation: Lee Franco, PhD
- Oxidative stress and autonomic nervous system: Ryan Garten, PhD
- Physical activity and sedentary behaviors: Youngdeok Kim, PhD
- Cardiovascular and renal health: Danielle Kirkman, PhD
- Vascular dysfunction and exercise intolerance: Paula Rodriguez-Miguelez, PhD
- Racial disparities in cardiovascular toxicities among breast cancer survivors: Arnethea Sutton, PhD
Graduate assistantships provide an opportunity for students to gain valuable experience in teaching, research or administration while receiving wages. The Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences awards graduate teaching assistantships (GTA) to help support PhD students’ graduate education. GTAs provide both in-state and out-of-state tuition (fees not included) and a competitive monthly stipend for nine months.
A limited number of laboratory teaching assistantships (adjunct teaching pay rate) are available to master’s students. The College of Humanities and Sciences offers more than 100 scholarship opportunities annually to currently enrolled students.
For additional information, please contact:
Director of Graduate Studies:
Anette Loughran-Fjeldstad, PhD
Department Chair:
Lee Franco, PhD
Quick Program Facts
Degree Programs: MS, PhD
Application Deadlines: Applications received before January 9 (PhD program) and March 15 (MS program) will be given priority for fall admission.
Applications received before October 15 (PhD program) and November 1 (MS program) will be given priority for spring admission. Funding opportunities are considered until all positions are filled.
Doctoral students: Max enrollment to date: 18 students