Kinesiology | Graduate Degrees | Ph.D. in Kinesiology | Sport and Exercise Psychology, Ph.D.

Sport and Exercise Psychology, Ph.D.

The Ph.D. degree with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology (SEP) is primarily intended to prepare individuals as academic researchers and faculty members in the areas of sport and exercise psychology. There are no clinical or applied sport psychology training opportunities offered within this program.

SEP integrates theory, research, and practice, and includes the study of cognitive, emotional, psychophysiological, and social factors that influence sport and exercise behaviors as well as the effects of physical activity on psychological factors. Ph.D. students in SEP typically come from Kinesiology or Psychology master’s programs and come to UNCG to learn how to enhance human development and functioning by acquiring cutting edge knowledge in the area of SEP.

The Student Experience

  • Ph.D. students specializing in SEP work closely with a faculty mentor.
    • Their research interests should closely align with that of the faculty member.
    • Candidates are strongly encouraged to reach out to prospective faculty mentors to determine if they are accepting Ph.D. students for the upcoming cycle, ask about their current research projects, and determine if they would be an overall good fit.
  • The Sport and Exercise Psychology Laboratories are available to graduate students.
    • These consist of several smaller spaces dedicated to each faculty member’s specific research agenda. These spaces complement the department’s larger laboratory spaces, which are available for SEP research as well as for collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. 
  • Faculty in SEP have ongoing collaborations with subdisciplines in Kinesiology, with other departments, institutes, and centers across campus.

AFTER GRADUATION

Our graduates typically pursue careers as academics who conduct research and train students to be future professionals in the field of Kinesiology.

Apply to Program

Please follow these steps when submitting an application For more general questions, make sure you check out KIN’s Frequently Asked Questions.  If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact the department directly at [email protected].

Graduate School Requirements

1. Online Application to The Graduate School

Login to The Graduate School’s Online Application.

2. All official transcripts

Send to the Graduate School directly. One official transcript is needed from all colleges and universities previously attended. If credit from one institution has been transferred to another and is listed on the receiving institution’s transcript, a transcript from the original institution is not required.

If an applicant is currently enrolled in a degree program and will not graduate prior to an admission deadline, transcripts should be provided that reflect courses in progress. It will speed up the processing of your application greatly if you also upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) issued by your institution(s) registrar’s office that includes the official seal as part of your online application (student advising transcripts are not accepted).

Please remember that you must still have your official transcript(s) sent to The Graduate School even if you supply official copies.

3. English Language Proficiency

The English Language Proficiency requirement must be fulfilled for all non-native English speaking applicants regardless of citizenship. It can be waived if the student has earned a US degree or has an acceptable score on either the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE exam. It can also be fulfilled by completing Level 5 of our Interlink program. Please see more information on requirements for international applicants.

4. Three Recommendations

All applicants must submit a minimum and maximum of three recommendations. In most cases the department would prefer at least two of the recommendations to be from faculty members who can address your academic capability. All recommendations are to be uploaded through The Graduate School’s online application system.

Departmental Notes

5. Graduate Assistantships

All qualifying applicants are considered for assistantships. You do not need to apply for an assistantship.  If you are interested in an assistantship please indicate this on your application by checking the appropriate box.   NOTE: Due to the way certain programs are structured, potential students applying to the Ed.D., M.S.A.T., Fully online M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, or M.S. in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology are typically not considered for assistantships.

6. Application Materials

  • Ed.D. — Complete applications received by January 15 receive priority consideration.  However, applications submitted through April 1 will be considered for Fall admission if program capacity allows.  The Ed.D. program accepts students for Fall admission only.
  • M.S.A.T. — Complete applications must be submitted by January 15.  The M.S.A.T. program accepts students for Summer admission only.
  • M.S., M.S./Ph.D., Ph.D. — Complete applications received by January 15 receive priority consideration for admission and funding. Applications submitted through July 1 will be considered for Fall admission if program capacity allows. Spring admission is possible but unlikely and we have no assistantship funds for spring applicants.
IMPORTANT: For Non-U.S. Academic Transcripts

International applicants are required to have their credentials formally evaluated. More information about this requirement, including recognized services for evaluation, can be found on the Graduate School’s international applicant page.

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Resources

  1. Catalog Description of Program
  2. Start your Application
  3. Graduate Admissions

Class Type

  • Thesis Option – In Person
  • Non-Thesis Option – Fully Online

Plan of Study

  • Each of our graduate students create a custom plan of study best suited to their goals.
  • Plans of study must be approved by their advisor and committee.
DeAnne Brooks

Dr. DeAnne Brooks
[email protected]

Graduate Program Director