Estimated Tuition & Fees (2026-27)

Sample Plan of Study

Use the program brochure to understand the sequence of courses.

We have students who have physical activity and leadership as their main profession, as well as students for whom physical activity is part of their job and something that they are passionate about and want to expand upon.

Current students are a diverse group of professionals that include university faculty and administrators, wellness directors, public school teachers, sport medicine directors/clinic owners, coaches and athletic trainers, health promotion managers, physical therapists, and sport psychology consultants, etc.

Our Ed.D. graduates apply their expertise across a wide range of professional settings and roles, including:

• College and university faculty
• Athletic trainers and coaches
• Health and wellness professionals
• Human performance specialists
• Program directors and coordinators
• Clinical education leaders
• Higher education administrators and college dEans
• Community college leaders
• Social work and integrated care professionals
• Military performance professionals

The program is completely online. There are deadlines for assignments in each course, however a time for regularly scheduled class meetings is not required to complete coursework. The exception might be for group work, which may require smaller groups of students to find common meeting times using a variety of distance communication tools. Students begin and end courses on a semester schedule and go through the program as a cohort.

Ed.D. students have access to the full range of professional and academic resources available through UNCG, even while completing the program online. This includes support from university librarians, technology professionals, career and professional development staff, and other campus offices that can assist students with research, professional projects, technology, and career development.

Students can also participate virtually in Kinesiology Department colloquia, university workshops, webinars, and other professional development opportunities offered across campus. In addition, the Ed.D. program offers professional development sessions specifically designed for its students, creating opportunities to connect with faculty, build professional skills, and engage with topics relevant to their careers and leadership roles.

Additional resources include:

• Career & Professional Development
• Preparing Future Professionals
• Innovate UNCG
• Library Tutorials and Webinars

• Barriers that influence the adoption of ACL injury prevention programs in high school girls’ soccer coaches
• The impact of youth adapted sport on physical activity of adults with disabilities
• Transitions in university learning environments: moving towards a kinesthetic model
• Promotion of mental health referral efficacy in college athletic trainers
• Expectations of strength and conditioning professionals: perspectives of athletic administrators and strength and conditioning professionals
• An exploration of cross-cultural interactions among collegiate sport coaches and international student-athletes
• Relationships among perceived stress, burnout, and physical activity in social workers
• Teaching strategies and their impact on physical activity intensity in elementary school physical education
• Creating a culturally responsive online personal health course
• Weight training practices and perspectives among cadet women at a senior military college
• What You Say and How You Say It: Instructional Strategies for Demonstrating Enthusiasm and Feedback in Remote Synchronous Physical Activity Courses

Classes are simultaneous. Students take 2 classes each fall and spring semester. Summer classes are 6 weeks, and vary with the course offerings. The program follows the same academic calendar as the rest of the UNCG campus.

Yes. While we do not currently offer an online master’s program that is directly tied to the Ed.D. in Kinesiology, UNCG Kinesiology offers an online M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology.

We also offer online post-baccalaureate certificate options for professionals who want to continue developing their knowledge and skills without completing a full master’s degree, including:

• Mental Skills for Sport Coaching
• Psychosocial Strategies for Physical Activity Promotion

Students interested in other areas of kinesiology can also explore our full range of graduate degree programs, including several on-campus master’s options.

From the beginning of the program, students are assigned an advisor who can serve as a mentor throughout their Ed.D. experience. Students also have opportunities to connect with and learn from members of their dissertation committee and other faculty across the department.

Because the program is online, faculty mentorship and connection are designed to be accessible regardless of where students live. Students regularly engage with faculty through virtual advising meetings, dissertation work, professional development sessions, colloquia, online social events, and other program activities.

We also understand that students’ interests and dissertation topics may evolve over time. The program is flexible in helping students find the mentorship and expertise they need, including making changes to dissertation committees or connecting students with additional faculty when appropriate.

Community is a central part of the Ed.D. program. We intentionally create opportunities for students to build relationships with faculty and one another online, while also offering established in-person visits as part of the program experience. Our goal is for students to feel connected, supported, and comfortable reaching out to faculty for guidance throughout the program.

GREs are not required for admission. We will still accept scores earned within the last 5 years.

Yes, you must have a master’s degree and 3 years of work experience in the field prior to admittance into the Ed.D. program. The only exception for students without a master’s degree is if they already hold a doctorate (e.g., Doctorate of Physical Therapy [DPT]).

All states are approved for the program. UNCG changed Authorized Provider agreements with states to ensure this.

In order for your application to stand out, the first question that you need to ask yourself is: what are my goals and how do I see the program helping me achieve them. If you can speak about how you plan to do those things in our program and how our program will help you meet your specific research and professional goals, then you are off to a great start. We strive to make sure that the interests of the student is something we can definitely support. 

Addressing what you can bring to the program from a professional standpoint is very important as well. Applicants that can demonstrate the mutual benefit of accepting you into the program are the ones that will stand out.

We require applicants to have a minimum of 3 years of professional experience in Kinesiology or related fields to be accepted into the program. This includes professionals who are physical education teachers in primary/secondary public schools, coaches and physical education instructors in higher education, physical therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers and fitness professionals, strength and conditioning professionals, sport and exercise psychologists, coaches of professional group sports teams, and so much more. Any type of assistantship work that occurred during a master’s program does not count for this requirement.

If you are not sure that your past professional experience fits with our program, please email us at eddkin@uncg.edu.

Orientation is required for all admitted students prior to beginning the program. If you are admitted and then cannot attend the orientation for any reason, you will have to defer enrollment until the following year after you have attended the next summer’s orientation.

Canvas is the main learning management platform that we use at UNCG. Students will have various types of learning resources and experiences (e.g. readings, video, discussion) through Canvas. We also use Google Suite, UNCG YouTube, and Microsoft Teams for effective communication in group works.

Visit UNCG’s Information Technology Service or reach out to 6 tech online service portal at 6tech@uncg.edu or call 336.256.8324.

No, this is only a requirement for students who are physically on the UNCG campus. The Graduate School has more information on immunization requirements.

Students registered in Online/Distance “Programs” are not eligible for the Student Health Insurance Plan though Student Blue.  Being “not eligible” means students are not charged for the Student Insurance premium and not required to submit proof of outside health coverage.  IF, students notice that they have been charged for the premium on their student account, they should immediately contact their Graduate department or the Student Insurance Department on their campus.

If students are charged for the insurance premium and do not follow-up with the appropriate departments prior to the posted “Waiver” deadlines, the premium may remain on the student account and be the responsibility of the student to pay.

Yes. Our students are all working professionals and our program is designed with this in mind. Will you be busy? Yes. But with good time management skills, it is very doable. We would be happy to have you talk with some of our current students to learn how they have been able to balance their responsibilities.

Yes.  The requirements of the practical experience are developed around you being a working professional.