Purpose of Program

The Health and Kinesiology graduate program is designed for students seeking advanced skills and professional development in the fields of Health Promotion and Kinesiology. Tailored to provide multiple career paths, students can pursue careers in research or professional practice in Public Health or Kinesiology. This Master’s program is housed jointly between the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Department of Public Health and Department of Kinesiology, both of which boast renowned and published faculty eager to inspire students to push the boundaries of their respective fields.

Why Pursue an M.S. in Health and Kinesiology

Health and wellness are integral to the wellbeing of all people, yet many lack the time and resources to properly educate themselves on how to maintain them. The UTSA Master of Science in Health and Kinesiology equips graduates with the educational tools to pass on this wealth of knowledge in virtually any setting. Graduates of this program can pursue careers as coaches, researchers, supervisors, health educators, program managers, and administrators in education, health, and private sector settings. Start the journey of impacting health on a larger scale by enrolling in the Health and Kinesiology graduate degree program at UTSA.

Program Options

Dive into a vigorous research-focused curriculum aimed at providing students the experiential education that will take them to the next level in their career journey. All students take coursework in research methodology and statistical analysis. Starting Fall ’21, there are two areas of specialization, each with a thesis (33 credit hours) and non-thesis (33 credit hour track):

• Students in the health promotion track will learn about the essential elements of research and practice in health promotion and education including epidemiology, program planning and evaluation, and health behavior theory. These skills will prepare graduates to work in community health settings or pursue a future career as a public health researcher.
• Students in the kinesiology track will receive training in exercise science topics such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, cardiovascular fitness, exercise nutrition and motor control and learning. Additionally, students will learn the principles behind effective coaching, including courses in sport psychology, motor development, and measurement and evaluation in physical education. This track will provide advanced training to students who are interested in kinesiology-related research, careers in therapeutic professions and wellness/fitness, and careers as future leaders in physical education and coaching.

Thesis Track (33 credit hours) is recommended for students who wish to pursue a doctoral degree or for those who wish to obtain research-intensive positions within city, state, and government agencies. Six hours of master’s thesis research is included in the total credit hours required for this option.

Non-Thesis Track (33 credit hours) is recommended for current and future educators who wish to gain both additional training and practical knowledge for professional development. Students who are interested in pursuing careers in community and non-profit organizations may select this option. Please note, if admitted prior to the Fall ’21 semester, the non-thesis track is a total of 36 credit hours.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet UTSA Graduate School admission requirements and be in good standing with last institution attended. In addition, applicants must meet/fulfill the following departmental requirements or submissions:

• GPA of 3.0 or higher in last 60 hours of coursework
• A bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, health, or a related field from an accredited institution
• Statement of purpose (no longer than 1 page typed)
  • Make sure the document is well written and free of grammatical mistakes.
  • Clearly indicate your career goals, and how the MS degree will help you achieve your goals.
  • Indicate the qualities you believe will help you be successful in our program.
  • Indicate which specialization you are interested in (Kinesiology or Health Promotion).
• 2 Letters of recommendation
• Resume/CV

Graduate Advisor of Record

Dr. William Land
Associate Professor
Department of Kinesiology
William.Land@UTSA.edu