Graduate Programs

The Department of Kinesiology and Sports Studies offers a Master of Science degree in three areas: Exercise Science, Pedagogy/Coaching and Sports Administration. The Exercise Science concentration prepares students for employment in corporate employee fitness, hospitals, YMCA, YWCA, health clubs, etc. These courses will aid students in preparation for American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification examinations. The Physical Education concentration provides courses in the areas of curriculum and administration intended to enhance their professional teaching careers. Students interested in sports administration take courses that help prepare them for administration within the broad spectrum of sports in schools, recreation, professional sports, or commercial programs.

The graduate program in Kinesiology and Sports Studies is a 32 semester hour program with a thesis option (30 hours). Most students complete the degree in one calendar year (fall, spring, and summer) but the program in sports administration is designed to accommodate part-time students as well. Completion of the degree requires successful completion of all course work and a comprehensive examination.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  1. an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 with a Kinesiology focus (i.e., physical education, exercise science). Undergraduate degrees from other emphasis areas are accepted upon the completion of prerequisite courses.
  2. Three letters of recommendation.
  3. A current resume.
  4. A statement of purpose including your career aspirations, how your career goals are tied to a graduate education, and your reason for choosing KSS at EIU as your school of choice.

To apply, please visit the Eastern Illinois Graduate School at: http://www.eiu.edu/graduate/prospective_admissions.php. Enter Kinesiology or Physical Education as your desired program.

The three letters of recommendation, resume, and statement of purpose can be delivered by email to Brent Walker (bwalker@eiu.edu), by postal mail to KSS Graduate Coordinator, Department of Kinesiology and Sports Studies, 2504 Lantz, 600 Lincoln, Ave., Charleston, IL 61920, or by fax to 217-581-7973.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Application for priority placement ends Jan. 15 for fall admission and Sept. 15 for spring admission, but applications are accepted year-round with placement based on availability.

ASSISTANTSHIPS

Graduate assistantships are available from the KSS department as well as other campus organizations (e.g., Student Campus Recreation, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics) for full-time students admitted during the fall semester. Assistantships provide a nine-month tuition-waiver as well as a monthly stipend. The Kinesiology and Sports Studies Department offers three types of assistantships:

  1. For exercise science students - working with the Adult Fitness Program, teaching physical activity classes, and working in the Assessment, Testing & Prescription (ATP) lab. For a description of the exercise science graduate assistantship, click here.
  2. For students with a physical education state of Illinois teaching certificate - teaching physical education in the Charleston K-6 schools. For a description of the physical education graduate assistantship, click here.
  3. For Certified Athletic Trainers - teaching undergraduate athletic training laboratory and physical activity classes or working in conjunction with a local hospital. For a description of the athletic training assistantships, click here.

Applying for a graduate assistantship is a two-step process involving 1) a graduate school assistantship application, and 2) an emphasis-specific assistantship application to the Department of Kinesiology and Sports Studies.

The graduate school assistantship application can be found at: http://www.eiu.edu/graduate/students_assistantships.php.

The graduate exercise science assistantship application can be found at:

https://www.eiu.edu/kss/gradAssistanships/exerciseScienceGA/survey.php

The athletic training assistantship application can be found at:

https://www.eiu.edu/kss/gradAssistantships/athleticTrainingGA/survey.php

The pedagogy graduate assistantship, can be found at:

https://www.eiu.edu/kss/gradAssistantships/pedagogyGA/survey.php

The competitive assistantship review process begins shortly after the Jan. 15 deadline and may involve telephone and/or in-person interviews.

For additional information please contact Dr. Brent Walker at bwalker@eiu.edu or 217-581-8580.