Why Pursue a Kinesiology Master's Degree
Students can select from one of four specializations to tailor their area of study: Exercise Physiology, Motor Behavior, Sport and Exercise Psychology, and Strength and Human Performance. Within each specialization, students can choose to complete either a thesis option (30 total semester credit hours) or non-thesis option (36 total semester credit hours).
The MS in Kinesiology degree at UTSA represents the only R1 graduate program in Kinesiology in south Texas. Moreover, as a Hispanic Serving Institute holding the Seal of Excelencia, UTSA is uniquely positioned to serve and meet the educational needs of its students and surrounding community. These distinguishing features make UTSA’s MS in Kinesiology a premier destination for students in the region to obtain an advanced degree in the field of Kinesiology.
See What Our Students Say
When you choose UTSA, you join a community of talented scholars and professionals being taught by award-winning faculty. Learn more from UTSA alumnus Gabriel Impelluso as he discusses his graduate school experience from master’s to PhD.
Faculty Research
Dive into a vigorous research-focused curriculum aimed at providing students the experiential education that will take them to the next level in their career journey. All students take coursework in research methodology and statistical analysis. Research Laboratory includes:
- Applied Biomechanics Research Laboratory
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory
- Developmental Motor Cognition Laboratory
- Exercise and Health Psychology Laboratory
- Human Performance Laboratory
- Molecular Exercise Physiology Laboratory
- Motor Learning/Control Study Laboratory
Master of Science in Kinesiology Concentrations
The Kinesiology master’s program offers 4 concentrations. For a complete list of courses, see course offerings below.
Exercise Physiology Concentration
Specialization Courses
- Principles of Exercise Physiology
- Applied Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Nutrition
Required Core Classes
- Research in Kinesiology
- Statistics in Kinesiology
- Current Trends in Kinesiology
Kinesiology Electives
- Biomechanics
- Measurement and Evaluation of Human Performance
- Learning and Teaching Styles in Coaching
- Adapted Physical Activity
- The Role of Sport in Society
- Sport Psychology
- Applied Sport Psychology
- Motor Learning and Control
- Motor Development
- Exercise Psychology
- Principles of Strength Training and Conditioning
- Independent Study
Motor Behavior Concentration
Specialization Courses
- Biomechanics
- Motor Learning and Control
- Motor Development
Required Core Classes
- Research in Kinesiology
- Statistics in Kinesiology
- Current Trends in Kinesiology
Kinesiology Electives
- Principles of Exercise Physiology
- Measurement and Evaluation of Human Performance
- Learning and Teaching Styles in Coaching
- Adapted Physical Activity
- Applied Cardiovascular Physiology
- The Role of Sport in Society
- Sport Psychology
- Applied Sport Psychology
- Exercise Psychology
- Exercise Nutrition
- Principles of Strength Training and Conditioning
- Independent Study
Sport & Exercise Psychology Concentration
Specialization Courses
- Sport Psychology
- Applied Sport Psychology
- Exercise Psychology
Required Core Classes
- Research in Kinesiology
- Statistics in Kinesiology
- Current Trends in Kinesiology
Kinesiology Electives
- Principles of Exercise Physiology
- Biomechanics
- Measurement and Evaluation of Human Performance
- Learning and Teaching Styles in Coaching
- Adapted Physical Activity
- Applied Cardiovascular Physiology
- The Role of Sport in Society
- Motor Learning and Control
- Motor Development
- Exercise Nutrition
- Principles of Strength Training and Conditioning
- Independent Study
Strength and Human Performance Concentration
Specialization Courses
- Measurement and Evaluation of Human Performance
- Exercise Nutrition
- Principles of Strength Training and Conditioning
Required Core Classes
- Research in Kinesiology
- Statistics in Kinesiology
- Current Trends in Kinesiology
Kinesiology Electives
- Principles of Exercise Physiology
- Biomechanics
- Learning and Teaching Styles in Coaching
- Adapted Physical Activity
- Applied Cardiovascular Physiology
- The Role of Sport in Society
- Sport Psychology
- Applied Sport Psychology
- Exercise Psychology
- Motor Learning and Control
- Motor Development
- Independent Study
Admission & Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the UTSA Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UTSA Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UTSA by the appropriate application deadline.
| Kinesiology (MS) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours | |
| Coursework | 18 credit hours in an area related to this graduate degree and at least 12 hours must be at the upper-division level. | |
| Transcripts* | Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English | |
| Credential Evaluation | Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) directly from the graduate admission application platform | |
| English Language Proficiency | 550 TOEFL Paper / 79 TOEFL Internet / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100 | |
| Purpose Statement | Required | |
| Resume | Required | |
| Letters of Recommendation | 2 academic or professional reference(s) demonstrating your attributes for successful completion of this program (you will request these through the Graduate Admissions Application; let your recommenders know of your deadline to ensure submissions are on time). Professional references for this program are preferred. | |
| *Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. | ||
Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.
| Kinesiology (MS) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing on Admission Decision: Completed applications will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis. Decisions generally will be made and sent to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application. | |||
| Application Deadlines for: | Priority | International | Domestic |
| Spring 2025 | November 1 | December 1 | |
| Summer 2025 | Not Available | Not Available | |
| Fall 2025 | June 1 | August 1 | |
| Spring 2026 | November 1 | December 1 | |
| Summer 2026 | Not Available | Not Available | |
Funding Opportunities
Learn moreCareer Options
UTSA prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below is data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.
