The Doctor of Education in Kinesiology Online (Ed.D. in KIN) at UNC Greensboro is a cohort-based four-year program. It is designed for practicing professionals who have a minimum of three years of experience in kinesiology or related fields. Ed.D. students are focused on professional scholarship and practice in leadership, advocacy, and teaching.
Our students address current issues in the field from an applied, interdisciplinary perspective with the goal of becoming action-oriented leaders in kinesiology. Our students, faculty, graduates and others form a community of scholars who positively impact their local communities.
For over a century, out department has been a cornerstone department of the University. Beginning as the Department of Physiology and Physical Culture in the Women’s College in 1892, the department took the progressive view that women should be physically active to improve their health and wellness.
As the department evolved and grew with the university, our name changed, but our mission to promote education in and instruction of physical health remains at our core.
The Words of our Students
“The Ed.D. in KIN gave me the tools to be a successful leader and educator in the hybrid/online world and provided me with experiential learning opportunities that directly benefited me in my current job.”
– Dr. David W., 2018 Graduate, Assistant Professor of Athletic Training, Director of Clinical Education at Moravian College
“A Ph.D. really offers us the ability to look in depth at one focal question without necessarily looking at how outside factors impact a problem. But the Ed.D. program allows us to look at things in a bigger, more holistic way, and that’s really what my interest is,” she explains. “I think this program just really supports people that want to look at research questions that are broader, and that’s really what I wanted to do.”
– Dr. LaVerene G., 2023 Graduate, Clinical Assistant Professor at Winston-Salem State University
Learn more about why Dr. Garner chose the Ed.D. in Kinesiology rather than the Ph.D.
“Every course in the Ed.D. program contributed something that I use in my current position. The emphasis on pushing the academy to reward teaching and service, to make learning experiences applicable in our own lives, and to think forward have been especially helpful.”
– Dr. Erica B., 2019 Graduate, Department Chair of Exercise Science at Salem College
“The Ed.D. in Kinesiology Online Doctoral program is built on a foundation of trust through relationship building, teamwork, discipline, and professionalism. The time spent struggling and succeeding with my fellow students provided real-life teaching faculty, senior administrator touchpoints that will propel me into further professional growth the next 15 years of my career in government service.”
– Dr. Jason S., 2019 Graduate, Director of Assessment, Department of Physical Education, United States Military Academy
The Student Experience
- The four-year online degree program is cohort-based and requires students to complete a total of 48 credit hours including the dissertation.
- Professional learning communities support academic and professional growth throughout the program.
- Three required campus visits foster collaboration and community in cohorts. (Orientation-Summer prior to Year 1; Dissertation Proposal-Year 3; Dissertation Showcase-Year 4 Spring) Orientation for the 2025-2026 academic year will be held on June 9-11, 2025.
AFTER GRADUATION
- Our Ed.D. students are a diverse group of professionals working in a variety of positions:
- University faculty and administrators
- Public school teachers
- Coaches and athletic trainers
- Physical therapists
- Wellness directors
- Sports medicine directors/clinic owners
- Health promotion managers
- Sport psychology consultants
