Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, M.S.
Dr. Lindsay Spindler, Program Director
The Master of Science (MS) in Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation, guided by Christian faith and values, is designed to provide theoretical learning that is integrated into real life experiences of students. Courses within the degree use evidence based research to 1) enhance the careers of students who are currently working in the field, and 2) prepare students for future educational endeavors and professional growth in the field of kinesiology, sport, and recreation.
This degree requires a minimum of 30 credits for completion and is delivered in an online format. Courses are offered in two 8 weeks sessions during the long semesters (Fall, Spring) and two 7 week sessions during the summer (Summer 1, Summer 2). Students taking 6 hours (3 hours the 1st 8 weeks, 3 hours the 2nd 8 weeks, or 6 hours in one of the 8 week sessions) are considered full time.
Post-Graduate Career Opportunities
The KSPR degree prepares graduates for careers in areas of wellness, sport performance enhancement/strength and conditioning, health, fitness and recreation, facilities and programs, athletic administration, sport marketing, recreation, professional sport management, and coaching.
Admission Criteria
All applicants for the Master of Science degree must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. All candidates are evaluated on an individual basis. The evaluation criteria include but are not limited to undergraduate GPA (2.75 or 3.0 last 60 hours), undergraduate academic record, resume, writing sample, letters of recommendation, personal interview, and GRE scores (upon request).
Departmental faculty approval of all new student admissions may be required. Submission of a resume, three letters of recommendation (HSU students applying must have at least one of the three letters of recommendation from a faculty member in their major department), a written statement of professional purpose and goals, and a personal (or telephone) interview with the program director are required of all prospective graduate students in KSPR.
Applicants who do not meet admission criteria may still be eligible for provisional admission. Those admitted as provisional status may be limited to taking 6 hours, one course per 8-week session during the long semesters (Fall, Spring), or 3 hours during either Summer 1 or Summer 2. Subsequent to the personal interview and a review of previously completed academic work, prospective students may be recommended for admission. Positive recommendation by the program director or designated representative is required for admission.
Official notification of admission (or denial of admission) will be communicated by the Office Admission. Upon approval and recommendation of the program director, students who do not completely meet the criteria above may be assigned additional hours to take, above and beyond the minimum required for degree completion. These semester-hours must be determined and approved by the program director and the dean of the school or college that houses the academic program.
University Financial Aid Policies
Students in the Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation Program are considered full-time for federal financial aid purposes when enrolled in six hours; three hours qualifies for half-time in a fall or spring semester. Students who take a minimum of three hours during Summer I and/or Summer II are eligible for federal financial assistance. Contact Mrs. Monica Smart at 325-670-1595; HSU Box 16050, Abilene, Texas 79698 or monica.j.smart@hsutx.edu.
Graduation Requirements
Successful completion of 30 hours of course work (3.0 GPA), 80% or higher on the comprehensive exam, and an exit interview. Students cannot make a D in any course. If a D is made the student is required to retake the course, this could delay graduation.
The MS in Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation allows students to enter into the program at various points throughout the year. The degree is offered completely online.
Courses
By action of the Graduate Council and graduate faculty, all students must have a minimum of 50% of their curriculum in 6000 level courses.
Table 1. Rotation of online courses
| Fall 1 online |
|
Concentration |
| KSPR 6314 |
Sport Law |
RecsprtAdm / Multi |
| KSPR 6328 |
Sport & Exercise Psych & Counseling |
ExHp / Multi |
| KSPR 6350 |
Training for Fitness and Performance |
ExHp / Multi |
| |
|
|
| Fall 2 online |
|
|
| KSPR 6391 |
Applied Prof Experience |
Required (one time) |
| KSPR 6305 |
Research Methods & Stats |
Required |
| KSPR 6301 |
Advanced Exercise Physiology |
ExHp / Multi |
| KSPR 6312 |
Aspects of Rec. Sports Program |
RecsprtAdm / Multi |
| |
|
|
| Spring 1 online |
|
|
| KSPR 6391 |
Applied Prof Experience |
required |
| KSPR 6300 |
Evidence Based Research |
required |
| KSPR 6361 |
Adv. Strength & Conditioning |
ExHp / Multi |
| KSPR 6313 |
Financial Resources of Rec. Sport & Fitness |
RecsprtAdm / Multi |
| |
|
|
| Spring 2 online |
|
|
| KSPR 6307 |
Org. and Admin of Athletics |
RecsprtAdm / Multi |
| KSPR 6326 |
Sports & Exercise Nutrition |
ExHp / Multi |
| KSPR 6325 |
Philosophy & Foundations of coaching |
RecsprtAdm / Multi |
| |
|
|
| Summer 1 online |
|
|
| KSPR 6360 |
Sport Performance Enhancement |
ExHp / Multi |
| KSPR 6391 |
Applied Prof Experience |
required |
| KSPR 6305 |
Research Methods & Stats |
required |
| KSPR 6316 |
Principles of Sport & Rec. Management |
RecsprtAdm / Multi |
| |
|
|
| Summer 2 online |
|
|
| KSPR 6309 |
Biomechanics |
ExHp / Multi |
| KSPR 6300 |
Evidence Based Research |
required |
| KSPR 6315 |
Facilities Design |
RecsprtAdm /Multi |
| KSPR 6310 |
Adv. Motor Learning and Control |
RecsprtAdm / Multi |
*ExHP = Exercise Science & Human Performance concentration
*RecsprtAdmin = Recreation & Sport Administration concentration
*Multi = multidisciplinary option
Curriculum
Students are required to complete the following 9 hours and the comprehensive exam (taken the last semester):
Core Courses
| KSPR 6391 | Applied Professional Experience | 3 |
| KSPR 6300 | Evidence Based Research, In Sport and Recreation | 3 |
| KSPR 6305 | Research Methods and Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| COMP 6000 | Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Students have 21 hours of electives to choose from to complete the degree. Those 21 hours can be 1) a combination of any KSPR courses listed below, or 2) if students desire a concentration they will need to complete 21 hours from the concentration areas listed below.
Exercise Science and Human Performance Concentration
This concentration allows for students to be recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association under the Education Recognition Program (pending acceptance of the application for school recognition). This concentration prepares students to sit for the national exam certifying them in Strength and Conditioning.
Recreation and Sport Administration Concentration
In this concentration students would pick 21 from the course listings below:
| KSPR 6307 | The Organization and Administration of Athletes | 3 |
| KSPR 6312 | Aspects of Recreational Sport, Programming | 3 |
| KSPR 6314 | Governing Agencies & the Law of Sport, And Recreation | 3 |
| KSPR 6315 | Facilities Design and Management | 3 |
| KSPR 6316 | Principles of Sports and Recreation, Management | 3 |
| KSPR 6313 | Financial Resources of Recreation, Sport, Programming | 3 |
| Elective (1 upper level course) | 3 |
Multidisciplinary
This is not a concentration but allows students to select 21 hours from any of the courses listed in the concentrations above or from courses listed below:
| KSPR 6310 | Advanced Motor Learning and Sport Skills Performance | 3 |
| KSPR 6325 | Philosophy & Foundations of Coaching in Society | 3 |
Core Course Requirement
All KSPR students must have the following core classes: KSPR 6391 Applied Professional Experience, KSPR 6300 Evidence Based Research and KSPR 6305 Research Methods and Statistical Analysis.
Time Limit
All requirements for the master’s degree in KSPR must be completed within five years from semester of initial admission.
Candidacy
All KSPR graduate students will have their academic progress reviewed by the graduate coordinator each semester of graduate course work. Students who are unable to maintain a 3.0 GPA will be placed on academic probation. Students placed on academic probation will receive notification of remediation steps in order to maintain their status in the graduate program. If a students is unable to achieve the remediation steps they will be dismissed from the program.
Comprehensive Exam and Exit Interview
A comprehensive written exam will be scheduled during the last semester (COMP-6000-KSPR). Questions for the comprehensive exam will come from the core courses and courses within the student’s area of interest. Exam and question format will be determined by the graduate faculty.
Students must attain a passing grade of 80% or better. If a student does not attain 80% remedial work may be required and another attempt at the exam will be given. The comprehensive exam process must be initiated within the first six weeks. If a passing grade is not attained students will retake the exam after a three-week remedial period. Students will have two more attempts to meet the 80% passing rate. If 80% is not attained by the third attempt a student will need to consult with the program director regarding the necessary steps needed to graduate. Students will also complete an exit interview with the program director and other faculty as needed. Completion of the comprehensive written exam and exit interview must be completed two weeks prior to the end of the semester.