How to Apply

Applications

Please visit the Graduate School Admissions page for instructions on how to apply for graduate studies at the University of Kentucky.  All applications to the University of Kentucky Graduate School must be submitted online.  This online application process now includes materials used by the KHP Department to make admissions decisions so students are no longer required to submit separate applications to The Graduate School and the KHP Department.

Deadlines

For domestic applicants the Graduate School requires applications to be submitted no later than one month prior to the start of the term the applicant intends to begin graduate work.

• Fall semester admission – July 15
• Spring semester admission – December 1

For international applicants the following Graduate School deadlines apply:

• Fall semester admission – April 15
• Spring semester admission – September 15
• Summer semester – International students are not admitted for summer sessions

Teaching Assistantships

Most graduate teaching assistantships are awarded for the year (August through early May), beginning with the fall semester. Students wishing to be considered for a teaching assistantship, should submit an application to The Graduate School by January 15th that includes KHP Application materials.  Review of applicants will begin on that date and continue until all assistantships have been filled. We will continue to accept applications for teaching assistantships after January 15th, but cannot guarantee that your application will be reviewed.

Program Requirements

Meeting the listed requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the graduate program at the University of Kentucky.

Master’s

The major objectives of the masters programs in Kinesiology and Health Promotion are twofold. First, every student is to acquire knowledge of sound scholarly procedures so that professional literature may be properly evaluated and significant findings incorporated into the work of the professional. Second, the program will permit the student to study indepth a specialized area. Areas of concentration can be developed in biomechanics, exercise physiology, health promotion, physical education – teaching and coaching, and sport leadership.

Requirements for Admission

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with adequate preparation in health, physical education, or related fields. Each program has certain undergraduate course prerequisites to meet. Deficiencies will be determined by the program faculty of the specialized area chosen by the student.
2.  A minimum of 2.75 undergraduate grade point average (4.0=A) on all work attempted.
3. Three letters of recommendation are required.

*Requirements for admission to the Master’s program in Exercise Physiology differ from the other programs. Those requirements are listed on that program page.

Ed.D.

The Ed.D. is a professional degree program designed to prepare educators to assume teaching and research leadership roles in schools, colleges, universities, and other agencies. The Ed.D. is conceived as an interdisciplinary program; coursework is required in KHP, Education, and in other departments outside the College of Education. Current faculty strengths permit a student to concentrate studies in either Physical Education Teaching or in Health Promotion.

Requirements for Admission

1. A master’s degree or 30 semester hours of approved graduate course work with a 3.0 (out of 4.0=A) grade point average.
2. A sample of scholarly writing is to be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies.
3. For the Graduate School, the minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 (paper-based) 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based). The minimum IELTS score is 6.5; Submitted scores must be no more than two years old.
4. Four letters of recommendation are required.

Ph.D.

The major goal of the Ph.D. Program in Exercise Science is to provide education to qualified students so that they will have a better understanding of the full spectrum of exercise science, as well as an in-depth knowledge of one specific area or discipline. Graduates of the program will be able to conduct exercise science related research, teach at the university level, direct discipline specific education programs, and collaborate with other professionals on various issues pertaining to exercise science and health related topics.

Objectives of the proposed program are to:

• provide a multidisciplinary doctoral program in exercise science with coordinated and expanded course offerings to meet the varied needs and interests of students wishing to pursue a research and/or academic career in the exercise science areas of exercise physiology, biomechanics, and motor control.
• develop scientific expertise and knowledge of resources which will enable students to conduct independent research in their given area of expertise.
• foster cooperative interdisciplinary research.
• provide opportunities for critical interdisciplinary evaluation of current research trends.
• participate in guided research projects of sufficiently complex scope and design to prepare students for conducting their own research.
• prepare leaders to educate others in the area of exercise science.

Requirements for Admission

1. A Master’s degree or graduate level professional (e.g. M.D.) degree from a fully accredited institution of higher learning. The Graduate School of the University of Kentucky requires an overall grade point of 3.0 on all prior graduate work and a 2.75 from undergraduate work.
2. Students who have not written a Master’s level thesis will be required to submit an example of their research writing. A literature review or project from a completed class are acceptable examples for submission for application. Special circumstances will be considered at the discretion of the applicant’s designated potential advisor.
3. For the Graduate School, the minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 (paper-based) 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based). The minimum IELTS score is 6.5; Submitted scores must be no more than two years old.
   
   Four letters of recommendation are required.

Note: For the specialization in Health Promotion or Health Education, deadlines for consideration to be admitted into the program are February 15 for Fall semester and August 15 for Spring semester.