Mission Statement
The Department of Kinesiology’s mission is to create, interpret, transmit, and apply knowledge related to movement, exercise, and human occupation with the ultimate goal of enhancing human health, productivity, and quality of life. The Department of Kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has a rich history as a pioneer in graduate training and research in exercise, movement, and physical activity. Here we offer students the opportunity to study movement, activity, and occupation at a variety of levels.
We offer both MS and PhD degrees with named options that reflect the breadth of the field of kinesiology: Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Psychology, Motor Control and Behavior, Occupational Science, and Physical Activity Epidemiology. A thesis or dissertation, reflecting the student’s research, is required for these named options. We also offer an Applied Exercise Science named option for the MS in Kinesiology, a degree that involves advanced coursework within the field but does not require a thesis.
Program Structure: Organizational Overview
For graduate students, the Graduate School, which is also a part of the administrative structure at UW-Madison, exerts a strong influence on how we manage graduate study and grant graduate degrees. When the Department of Kinesiology admitted you, this was with Graduate School review and approval. The Graduate School will continue to exercise review and approval of various milestones during your graduate studies. At the very least, it will be involved in the conferral of your degree.
Graduate training in Kinesiology can be directed toward the degrees of MS and/or PhD. in Kinesiology. Both of these degrees combine advanced courses with an intensive research experience OR internship (Applied Exercise Science). Department research facilities are well equipped, and faculty and graduate students have access to other specialized research facilities across campus. Faculty and graduate student research is currently supported by funding from the state and federal government, research foundations, and private industry.
The Kinesiology Department has undergraduate programs in Kinesiology, Physical Education Teacher Education, and Health Promotion and Health Equity. We offer graduate degrees in Athletic Training (MSAT), Kinesiology (MS and PhD), and Occupational Therapy (OTD).
Learning Outcomes
Every graduate program has expectations for what students will learn in the program and a curriculum to support the development of the students from admission to graduation. These expectations, more formally defined as learning outcomes, specify what students will know, or be able to do, as a result of completing the program. Learning outcomes for all graduate programs can be found by exploring the UW-Madison Guide.
Program Statistics
Please refer to the Kinesiology program’s data profile for statistical information on admissions, enrollment, student funding, and degrees.