You are passionate about helping others feel their best. You are fascinated by the workings of the human body and health and wellness. You want to make a difference in the lives of others.

A Master of Science in Health and Kinesiology is the right fit — and there is no better place to earn your degree than the University of Texas at San Antonio.

UTSA has the only MS program in Health and Kinesiology in San Antonio. Join the forward-thinking, research-based program to prepare you for an enriching career. With three specializations to choose from, you can focus on health, exercise science, or sport pedagogy.

Along with your degree, you will gain skills employers want: critical thinking, problem solving, oral and written communication skills and a thorough understanding of research and data analysis.

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.

“My degree provided me with opportunities to enhance my critical thinking skills and apply my knowledge through development of solutions to real-world health issues. It also introduced me to the world of research, which expanded my future academic and career possibilities.”

-Summer Wilmoth ’10 ’20, Research Scientist & Senior Research Program Coordinator

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