Iowa State University
College of Human Sciences


Doctoral Study in Kinesiology


Specific course-work required of the student is determined by the student's program of study (POS) committee. However, ISU requires all Ph.D. students to complete a minimum of 72 semester credit hours beyond the Bachelor's degree. Course work may include selections from the following:

  1. Prerequisites for prospective students
    • If the student's undergraduate/graduate degree is not in kinesiology, a sequence of courses representing the core of study of physical activity must be completed (exercise physiology, biomechanics, sport/exercise psychology, motor behavior, socio-cultural, and pedagogy)

  2. Courses and seminars currently available for credit towards the degree
    • Biological Basis
      • HHP 505 - Research Laboratory Techniques in Exercise Physiology (2)
      • HHP 510 - Advanced Medical Aspects of Exercise (2)
      • HHP 516 - Qualitative Analysis of Human Movement (3)
      • HHP 517x - Musculoskeletal Modeling (3)
      • HHP 550 - Advanced Exercise Physiology I (3)
      • HHP 551 - Advanced Exercise Physiology II (3)
      • HHP 558 - Principles of Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription (3)
      • HHP 572 - Neural Basis of Human Movement (3)
    • Behavioral Basis
      • HHP 512X Physical Education Methods (3)
      • HHP 520 - The Social Analysis of Sport (3)
      • HHP 521 - Sport Psychology (3)
      • HHP 531X - Youth Sport (3)
      • HHP 560 - Principles of Motor Control and Learning (3)
      • HHP 561 - Movement, Motor Ability, and Motor Performance in Children (2-3)
      • HHP 567X - Exercise Psychology: Clinical Applications and Interventions (3) - pending approval
      • HHP 570X - Physical Activity Assessment (2)
      • HHP 571X - Measurement in Physical Education (3)
      • HHP 575X - Physical Education Curriculum Design and Program Organization (3)
      • HHP 595 - Adapted Physical Education (3)
    • Others
      • HHP 501 - Research Methods in Exercise and Sport Science
      • HHP 590 - Independent Study (1-3)
      • HHP 591 - Supervised Field Experience
      • HHP 615 - Doctoral Seminar
      • HHP 699 - Research/Thesis Credits
  3. Research requirement
    • If no thesis was done in the student's master's program, a research project that is equivalent must be completed before the qualifying exam. If the student enters without a master's degree, one must be completed (including a thesis) before the qualifying exam.