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Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Science

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Science (MSc) degree programs are full-time thesis-based degree programs that may be taken specializations according with Members’ research interests as below:

Adapted Physical Activity & Gerontology
Biomechanics
Exercise & Health Physiology
Health & Exercise Psychology
Multi-Media Applications in Learning
Neuro-Motor Psychology & Motor Learning
Nutrition, Metabolism & Genetics
Sport History
Sport Psychology
Sport Medicine

Master of Kinesiology
The Master of Kinesiology (MKin) is a full-time course-based program specializing in Applied Exercise Physiology.

Students are normally registered as full-time students however in very exceptional circumstances, registration as part-time students may be recommended by the Faculty of Kinesiology, Associate Dean (Graduate) for subsequent approval by the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies or designate.

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Kinesiology requires the following:

Doctor of Philosophy
a) Consent for supervision from an approved Faculty Member in Kinesiology.

b) An appropriate academic background for the area of specialization.

c) A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.20 or higher on a four-point scale over approximately the last two years of study.

d) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 580 (written), or 92 (internet-based), or an IELTs score of 7.5, or a MELAB score of 82.

e) Two reference letters.

f) Written confirmation of external funding in accordance with policies of the Faculty of Kinesiology Graduate Program.

g) A student may request a transfer from the Master of Science degree program to the Doctoral degree program, upon the recommendation of the supervisory committee and subsequent approval of the Associate Dean (Graduate) and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Master of Science
a) Consent for supervision from an approved Faculty Member in Kinesiology.

b) An appropriate academic background for the area of specialization.

c) A minimum GPA of 3.20 or higher on a four-point scale over approximately the last two years of study.

d) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 580 (written)  or 92 (internet-based), or an IELTs score of 7.5, or a MELAB score of 82.

e) Two reference letters.

Master of Kinesiology
The following are the minimum requirements for applying to the program. Please note, normally applicants with higher GPAs are selected for admission to the program.

a)  A minimum grade of "B" or 3.00 in each of the following undergraduate prerequisite courses or equivalents: Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Sport Psychology and Statistics.

b) A minimum admission GPA of 3.00 or higher on a four-point scale over approximately the last two years of study in Kinesiology or an appropriate academic background for the area of specialization.

c) A demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and capable of independent study as shown in undergraduate studies, volunteer work and/or work experience in exercise science areas will be considered.

d) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 580 (written) or 92 (internet-based), or an IELTs score of 7.5, or a MELAB score of 82.

e) Two reference letters.

Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Science
The deadline for the submission of complete applications to thesis-based programs is March 31 for September 1 admission.

Master of Kinesiology
The deadline for the submission of complete applications to the course-based program is March 1  for September 1 admission.

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Kinesiology requires:

Doctor of Philosophy
A minimum of three graduate-level half courses selected according to the student's background research focus and will be approved by the graduate supervisor and supervisory committee.

Master of Science
a) One graduate-level half course in statistics.

b) One- graduate-level half course in research design.

Master of Kinesiology
a) A total of 5.5 graduate-level full-course equivalents.

Core Courses (Required of all students): Kinesiology 606, 615, 617, 637, 673, 690, 715, 773, 775 and 785.

b) A final oral presentation is considered the capstone event. This will be undertaken in conjunction with Kinesiology 715.

Doctor of Philosophy
Expected completion time is four years.
Maximum completion time is six years.

Master of Science
Expected completion time is two years.
Maximum completion time is four years.

Master of Kinesiology
Expected completion time is 16 consecutive months commencing in September.
Maximum completion time is six years.

Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Science
Supervisor(s) must be identified at the time of admission for thesis-based programs. Within three months of admission, the student and supervisor(s) must select a supervisory committee according to the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ procedures. The composition of the supervisory committee must be approved by the Associate Dean (Graduate).

Master of Kinesiology
Not applicable.

Doctor of Philosophy
a) Doctoral Candidacy Examination will occur after a student’s research proposal is approved by the Supervisory Committee and Associate Dean (Graduate). The Candidacy Examination has both written and oral components. The student and supervisor select one of the two formats for the written portion of the examination:

i) A closed book, six-hour examination administered on one-day in two three-hour blocks will be invigilated by the supervisor. The supervisor will provide the student with five questions determined by the Candidacy Examination Committee. The student will answer four out of five questions. The written answers are circulated to the Candidacy Examination Committee immediately after the written examination concludes.

ii) The Candidacy Examination Committee will determine five questions to be distributed to the student four weeks before the Oral Candidacy Examination. The student will prepare a written paper for four of the questions and submit a copy of each paper to each examiner one week before the Oral Candidacy Examination. Each paper should be a maximum of twenty double-spaced pages.

Oral Candidacy Examination: The basis of the Oral Candidacy Examination will be the written examination, general knowledge and the thesis topic. The Oral Candidacy Examination will occur seven (7) days after the written component concludes. Both the written and the oral components of the Candidacy Examination must be found acceptable in order to receive a Pass.

b) Doctoral Thesis Oral Examinations are administered according to the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ procedures and are open examinations.

Master of Science
Master’s Thesis Oral Examinations are administered according to the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ procedures and are open examinations.

Master of Kinesiology
Not applicable.

Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Science
Each thesis-based student drafts and presents a research proposal to his/her supervisory committee prior to commencing data collection.
The proposal consists of:

a) Background information from the scientific literature, including a critical evaluation of previous work;

b) A clear statement of the objectives of the proposed research program;

c) An analysis of the methodology to be used in the implementation of the proposal;

d) An indication of the contributions to scientific knowledge that should result from the candidate’s research.

The supervisory committee may limit the length of the proposal, and must officially approve it before it is submitted to the Faculty of Kinesiology, Associate Dean (Graduate).
Students whose research involves human subjects must receive approval from the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board before beginning data collection. Research with animals must receive approval from a University Animal Care Committee.

Master of Kinesiology
Not applicable.

Doctor of Philosophy
Evidence of external financial support in accordance with the Faculty of Kinesiology Graduate Program requirements must be provided before admission. This external funding must be in the form of a Supervisor’s Grant, external award(s), government funding, etc.

Master of Science
Students are encouraged to apply for external awards, government funding, etc.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified thesis-based students in the form of Graduate Assistantships (Teaching).

For information on other awards, please contact the Faculty of Kinesiology Graduate Program.

Initial enquiries should be directed to Faculty of Kinesiology Graduate Program.