PLU Master of Science in Kinesiology

THE DEPARTMENT OF

kinesiology MASTER OF SCIENCE

About the program Ranked by Niche as the top Kinesiology department in Washington state and the Pacific Northwest, the Kinesiology program at PLU brings a tradition of excellence into the Master of Science degree. The program combines a rigorous academic experiences with real-world, relevant and impactful applications designed to intentionally address critical gaps in Kinesiology training and practice.

About our location PLU’s park-like campus is nestled in a wooded neighborhood seven miles south of downtown Tacoma. We’re also right off the major Interstate 5 corridor, so the metropolitan hubs of Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia are within minutes, along with must-see attractions such as Mount Rainier National Park; Tacoma’s waterfront Point Defiance park and zoo; and hiking, biking and water activities.

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Program Highlights FLEXIBLE PROGRAM - may be completed in as few as 14 months, or over the course of 26 months. Classes occur in the evenings and are a mix of traditional and hybrid in design.

THEORY TO PRACTICE FOCUS - coursework focuses on building an evidence-based practice through rigorous coursework applied to real-world situations. All students complete an applied project as part of the program.

MENTORSHIP - all students are assigned a faculty mentor who also serves as lead advisor for the applied project.

INCLUSIVE - two required courses examine issues of diversity, justice and inclusion in order to inform how we do our work and how we can best serve a diverse population.

CAREER ENHANCING - designed to serve high growth professions and to enhance the skill set of novice and experienced practitioners in exercise, sport, performance and health related careers.

Why Choose PLU APPLIED. MENTORSHIP. INCLUSIVE. COMMUNITY. EXCELLENCE. • PLU Kinesiology is ranked No.1 in Washington State and the Pacific Northwest, and No. 47 in the US among all college programs in Kinesiology and Physical Therapy.

– Niche 2020 • All graduate faculty have real world experience and at least one practitioner credential • PLU alumni receive a 10% tuition discount. Scholarships and graduate assistantships are available • Choose your path through a concentration: Applied Exercise Science or Applied Sport Psychology • Complete at your own pace - 14 or 26 months • Benefit from small classes and individual mentoring • Develop inclusive, evidence-based practices and become a leader in your field

Who should apply for this degree program?

Why Kinesiology?

Earning a Master’s of Science degree in Kinesiology can help you: INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL Teachers who earn a master’s degree make an average of $7,000-$9,000 more than those with a bachelor’s degree.

OPEN MORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES A master’s in Kinesiology opens the door to full-time teaching, coaching and strengthand-conditioning positions in colleges and universities, as well as administrative and leadership roles in the health and fitness industry.

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PURSUE ADVANCED CERTIFICATIONS A master’s in Kinesiology allows you to pursue advanced credentials, including Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC-AASP) and Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP-ACSM).

REFINE AND EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS A master’s in Kinesiology gives you the knowledge and skills you need to improve your practice and enhance your ability to serve others and the profession. Working professionals in health and fitness careers, public service professions and public health can enhance their ability to better serve the needs of society in relation to physical activity promotion and disease prevention.

Curriculum

Concentrations

The curriculum includes opportunities to integrate theory, research and application in both the biophysical and psychosocial domains, and includes a specific focus on issues of diversity and inclusion. A unique feature of the program is the mentoring provided by Kinesiology faculty who work individually with each student to identify, develop and execute an applied, evidencebased project as a culminating experience.

APPLIED SPORT PSYCHOLOGY Designed to prepare students to serve as performance consultants in a wide variety of settings.

Athletic coaches, health-and-fitness teachers and others interested in maximizing human performance are also a good fit for this focus area. A master’s degree is required to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

REQUIRED COURSES Research Methods and Applications Inclusive Leadership Mentorship and Leadership Applied Sport Psychology I

Adapted Training for Special Populations

Special Topics Project + defense SELECT ONE FOCUS AREA FROM THE FOLLOWING: APPLIED SPORT PSYCHOLOGY Social Issues in Sport Applied Sport Psychology II APPLIED EXERCISE SCIENCE Applied Exercise Science I

Applied Exercise Science II

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APPLIED EXERCISE SCIENCE Designed to prepare practitioners who can effectively bridge the theory-to-practice gap and provide evidence-based, inclusive practices in the field.

Emphasis areas include physiological adaptations to acute and chronic training, functional anatomy, exercise testing and prescription, and applications to diverse populations. It supports the requirements for Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA), Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM), and Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM).

PROGRAM SCHEDULE/FORMAT ● Full time – 14 months ● Part time – 26 months ● Most classes are held in the evenings, one ● or two nights per week

Career Prospects Expand your opportunities and enhance your future FOCUS ON: EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGISTS Exercise Physiologists most commonly work in government jobs, physician offices, hospitals and rehabilitation clinics and often focus in the areas of pulmonary or cardiac rehabilitation. A master’s degree is required to become a Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP-ACSM). CEPs earn a median wage $49,270 with a range of $34,000 to $78,000.

FOCUS ON: ATHLETIC AND STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHES Athletic and Strength and Conditioning Coaches work in a variety of settings including youth sport organizations, K-12 educational settings and colleges and universities. The MS in Kinesiology opens the door to coaching and teaching at the college and university level. College and university coaches make an average of $45,350 per year compared recreation and publicschool coaches who average around $29,000 to $36,000 per year.

FOCUS ON: MENTAL PERFORMANCE CONSULTANT A master’s degree in Kinesiology opens the door to becoming a mental performance coach or consultant.

Practitioners work in settings ranging from youth to professional sport, the U.S. military, the performing arts and in other performance related domains. Those employed in university athletic departments have a median income of $60,000 and $80,000 a year. A graduate degree is required to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant.

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Faculty Highlights Learn from and alongside faculty committed to the integration of scholarship and application.

COLLEEN HACKER, PH.D Ph.D., Exercise and Movement Science, University of Oregon Specializations: Applied Exercise and Sport Psychology - Performance Psychology, Motor Learning Practitioner Credentials: Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) Association for Applied Sport Psychology, United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology & Mental

Skills Registry, Fellow - National Academies of Practice – Psychology. Six-time Olympic mental skills coach.

HARRY PAPADOPOULOS, PH.D. Ph.D., Sport Science, Georgia State University Specializations: Exercise Science - Physical Activity Gerontology, Exercise Testing and Prescription Practitioner Credentials: Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP), American College of Sports Medicine. Past president NW ACSM. CHARLIE KATICA, PH.D Ph.D., Kinesiology and Exercise Science, University of Alabama Specializations: Exercise Science - Adapted Physical Activity and Sport, Thermoregulation Practitioner Credentials: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Accomplished wheelchair basketball coach.

MALLORY MANN, PH.D Ph.D., American Culture Studies – Social-psychology of Sport; Bowling Green State University, 2016 Specializations: Applied Exercise and Sport Psychology - Coaching

Education, Diversity and Inclusion in Sport and Physical Activity Practitioner Credentials: Certified Mental Performance Consultant - (CMPC), Association for Applied Sport Psychology. Positive Coaching Alliance Trainer.

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Department of Kinesiology kins@plu.edu PLU Graduate Admission 12180 Park Avenue South Tacoma, WA 98447 253-535-8570 gradadmission@plu.edu www.plu.edu/graduate www.plu.edu/msk