Kinesiology doctorate

Exercise Physiology Emphasis

Earn your doctorate from CSP Global to elevate your career in exercise physiology.

Student-Centered Approach to Online Education

Application Deadline: June 16, 2025
Classes Start: June 30, 2025

Earn your degree in kinesiology or sport management.

Generous Transfer Credit

100% Online

No GRE/GMAT, No Comp Exam

Online Doctorate in Exercise Physiology

CSP Global’s Doctorate in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology program is designed to prepare students to become experts in their field. Our comprehensive curriculum is taught by esteemed faculty with expertise in exercise physiology and kinesiology.

Overview

Why Earn a Doctorate in Exercise Physiology

Earning a doctorate in exercise physiology can offer several significant benefits and opportunities. Here are some key reasons why pursuing graduate school might be valuable to interested students:

1. Advanced Knowledge and Expertise

A doctorate provides in-depth knowledge and understanding of exercise physiology, including advanced concepts in human physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, cardiovascular physiology, and performance enhancement. This expertise can be critical for conducting high-level research, developing new exercise programs, and contributing to the field’s scientific community. Graduate courses offer a deeper level of exploration compared to undergraduate studies.

2. Research Opportunities

A doctoral degree allows you to engage in original research, contributing to the body of knowledge in exercise physiology. As a graduate student, you’ll have the opportunity to explore new areas, test hypotheses, and publish your findings in academic journals, thereby influencing the future direction of the field.

3. Career Advancement

Holding a doctorate can open doors to advanced career opportunities that may not be accessible with only a master’s degree. Potential career paths include academic positions (professor, researcher), leadership roles in health and wellness organizations, and high-level consulting positions in sports medicine, healthcare, and fitness industries.

4. Teaching and Academia

If you aspire to teach at the college or university level, a doctorate is typically required. With this degree, you can educate and mentor the next generation of exercise physiologists, contributing to the academic community and the professional development of students as a graduate faculty member.

5. Professional Recognition

Earning a doctorate can enhance your professional credibility and recognition within the exercise physiology community. It demonstrates a high level of commitment and expertise, which can be beneficial for professional networking, collaboration, and career growth.

6. Preparation for Advanced Certifications

A doctorate can provide a strong foundation for advanced certifications such as the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). The rigorous training and comprehensive knowledge gained during the graduate program can help you excel in certification exams and apply advanced principles in practice.

7. Contribution to Public Health

Exercise physiologists play a crucial role in promoting public health through research and the development of exercise and athletic training programs. With a doctorate, you can contribute to designing effective interventions to improve health outcomes, reduce chronic disease incidence, and enhance quality of life across populations.

8. Innovation and Development

Doctoral programs often encourage innovation and critical thinking. You’ll have the opportunity to develop new methodologies, technologies, and approaches to exercise science, potentially leading to breakthroughs in sports performance, rehabilitation, and health promotion.

9. Interdisciplinary Collaboration

A doctorate in exercise physiology can position you to work on interdisciplinary teams, collaborating with experts and faculty members in fields such as medicine, nutrition, psychology, and engineering. This collaboration can lead to comprehensive approaches to solving complex health and performance issues.

10. Personal Fulfillment

For many, the pursuit of a doctorate is a personal goal that brings a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. The process of earning a doctorate can be intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding, providing a sense of achievement and the satisfaction of contributing to a field you are passionate about.

Pursuing a doctorate in exercise physiology is a significant commitment that requires dedication, time, and effort. However, the potential rewards, both professional and personal, can make it a worthwhile endeavor for those passionate about advancing their knowledge and making a meaningful impact in the field of applied physiology.

Program Outcomes: Exercise Physiology

Demonstrate advanced knowledge of physiological principles related to the metabolic, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular systems including the body’s response to acute and chronic exercise.
Interpret medical records and collaborate with clinicians to assess client needs.
Administer and interpret pre-participation and exercise assessments to ensure safe participation and exercise prescription.
Develop, implement, monitor, and modify exercise prescriptions and programming based on clinical and physiological status, client goals, and behavioral assessments.
Communicate, instruct, and educate clients on prescribed exercise programs, disease management, and risk factors.
Develop safety and emergency plans including inspection of equipment, HIPAA compliance, and proper record keeping.
Evaluate ethical dilemmas, make informed decisions, and demonstrate a commitment to behavior in professional practice.
Critically evaluate, create, and advance new trends and issues as leaders in the industry.

For PhD students, you will:

Develop expertise in a variety of research methods, including experimental design, data analysis, and statistical techniques, while also critically evaluating existing research and designing and implementing original research projects that make significant contributions to the field of kinesiology.

For EdD students, you will:

Develop advanced research skills, including the ability to design and implement rigorous, practical research projects that address real-world problems in kinesiology.

LEARN MORE

The CSP Advantage

Why Choose CSP Global?

As the global campus of Concordia University, St. Paul, CSP Global is dedicated to offering graduate students the best education for their Kinesiology PhD, Exercise Physiology emphasis. Our graduate faculty is dedicated to supporting academic careers, innovative dissertation research, and the successful completion of your graduate program. Your graduate studies will prepare you to thrive in the field of exercise physiology.

Each member of our exercise physiology faculty is an expert in their field, guided by the CSP philosophy of always supporting a caring, nurturing, and energetic academic environment. The CSP Global doctoral students can expect to gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their independent research and future careers. We are an accredited college that encourages students interested in clinical exercise physiology to apply.

Why Graduate Students Pursue a PhD in Exercise Physiology

Our PhD in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology is designed to prepare you for a career in academia or research. Graduates will be prepared to publish their own work and collaborate with other researchers, as well as teach at the post-secondary level.

The PhD program features additional courses beyond those of the EdD program since there is a stronger focus on research and independent study. Our PhD program features 55 hours of coursework and 12 hours of dissertation.

Why Choose EdD in Exercise Physiology?

Our EdD in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology is designed to help you apply research to solve real-world problems. Graduates will be prepared to pursue leadership roles within corporate wellness, higher education, professional sports organizations, and more, in addition to teaching at the post-secondary level. Those pursuing an EdD typically work firsthand with clients, rather than working primarily with other scholars.

Our EdD program features 49 credit hours of coursework and 12 hours of dissertation.

LEARN MORE

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

1. Online Application

Create an account and submit our online application. Once submitted, you can follow your application process through the application portal.

2. Official College Transcripts

Submit official transcripts from an accreditor recognized by the US Department of Education stating the conferral of a Master’s degree or higher with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 based on a 4.0 system.
To be considered official, transcripts must be received in a sealed envelope from the institution or through secured electronic delivery.

3. Writing Sample

Those seeking admission into the Doctorate in Kinesiology program should submit a sample of work from a previous master’s or doctorate program or master’s-level scholarly work.

BOOK A CALL

Curriculum

Curriculum

Core Courses (10 credits)

KHS7000 Issues and Trends in Kinesiology (3)
DOC7000 Professional Ethics (3)
DOC7410 Seminar 1: Drafting the Dissertation Introduction (1)
DOC7420 Seminar 2: Drafting the Dissertation Literature Review (1)
DOC7430 Seminar 3: Drafting the Dissertation Methodology (1)
DOC7440 Seminar 4: Finalizing the Dissertation Proposal Manuscript (1)

Exercise Physiology Emphasis (27 Credits)

KHS7010 Medical Aspects of Exercise and Disease Prevention (3)
KHS7020 Exercise and Health Behavior Change (3)
KHS7100 Advanced Cardiovascular Responses to Exercise (3)
KHS7120 Advanced Exercise & Sport Nutrition (3)
KHS7210 Advanced Exercise Physiology (3)
KHS7230 Advanced Exercise Prescription (3)
KHS7606 Physiology of Skeletal Muscle (3)
KHS7608 Exercise & Endocrine System (3)
KHS7595 Clinical Exercise Assessment (3)

Research Methods and Statistics (12-18 Credits)

For the PhD (18 Credits)
DOC7100 Research Methods in Kinesiology (3)
DOC7500 Data Analysis (3)
KHS7550 Qualitative Research in Kinesiology (3)
KHS7600 Quantitative Research in Kinesiology (3)
KHS7650 Mixed Methods in Research in Kinesiology (3)
KHS7700 Statistics in Kinesiology (3)

For the EdD (12 Credits)
DOC7300 Action Research in Kinesiology (3)
DOC7200 Quantitative and Qualitative Research (3)
DOC7100 Research Methods in Kinesiology (3)
DOC7500 Data Analysis (3)

Dissertation (12 Credits)

For the PhD
DOC8000 Dissertation (12)

For the EdD
DOC7900 Dissertation (12)

Total Credits for EdD = 61
Total Credits for PhD = 67

Additional Program Information

EdD Course Descriptions

KHS7000: Current Issues and Trends in Kinesiology: This course prepares students to analyze current problems, issues, and trends impacting kinesiology professions. The emphasis is on selecting and discussing emerging and controversial topics from research and everyday experiences that lead to action. Leadership principles will be examined as students develop and identify leadership strategies, tools and applications to successfully implement a personal mission and vision statement.

KHS7010: Medical Aspects of Exercise and Disease Prevention: This course utilizes an epidemiological approach to examine the relationship between physical activity and health and/or disease outcomes. Emphasis is on the role of exercise in preventative medicine. Topics include the impact of exercise on various diseases, and the effect of various medical conditions on the ability to participate in vigorous exercise and competitive sports.

KHS7020: Exercise and Health Behavior Change: Advanced analysis of theoretical health behavior models and their application to physical activity behavior. Includes practical techniques, tools and interventions (e.g., counseling skills, motivational interviewing) to enhance exercise adherence and motivation across the lifespan.

KHS7030: Professional Ethics and Program Management in Kinesiology: This course examines ethical and socio-cultural issues that kinesiology students will face during their training and professional practice emphasizing conceptual frameworks needed to articulate concerns and engage in meaningful dialogue with others. Topics include the application of ethical program management, financial management, legal issues, and evaluation and planning.

KHS7100: Advanced Cardiovascular Responses to Exercise: This course examines the effects of acute and chronic exercise on the cardiovascular system, with an emphasis on understanding the regulatory mechanism that controls the cardiovascular system at rest and in response to aerobic and resistance exercises.

KHS7120: Advanced Exercise & Sport Nutrition: This course examines the role of nutrient selection, metabolism, and timing play in supporting and improving health and human performance. Topics include nutrient bioenergetics, optimizing nutrient timing, micronutrients and macronutrients, ergogenic aids, thermoregulation, fluid balance, and weight management.

KHS7210: Advanced Exercise Physiology: The physiological responses to exercise performance and the effects of physical activity on the body’s functions are examined in theory and application.

KHS7230: Advanced Exercise Prescription: This course focuses upon the design of individualized exercise programs and prescriptions in health and disease. Knowledge of skills necessary for safe and effective application of these prescriptions for members of diverse populations as well as the prevention and maintenance of chronic disease will be emphasized.

KHS7595: Clinical Exercise Assessment: This is a comprehensive course designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform assessments and design exercise programs for patients with various medical conditions. The course covers the principles of exercise physiology and provides an overview of the assessment process, including history-taking, physical examination, and functional testing.

KHS7606: Physiology of Skeletal Muscle: This course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the structure and function of skeletal muscle. This course covers the anatomy and physiology of muscle fibers, myofibrils, and sarcomeres, as well as the role of motor neurons in muscle contraction. Students will learn about the mechanisms underlying muscle function and the effects of different types of exercise and physical activity on skeletal muscle. The course also covers strategies for measuring and monitoring skeletal muscle function, including muscle strength and endurance, muscle size, and muscle activation.

KHS7608: Exercise and the Endocrine System: This course will examine exercise and endocrine system physiology. Basic principles about the endocrine system will be covered as well as the effects of exercise training, detraining, and disease on this system. The physiological principles and mechanisms of the endocrine system will be reviewed including endocrine organs and hormone classifications. The influence of exercise, nutrition, and disease on endocrine function will also be covered.

KHS7800: Action Research in Kinesiology: This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to design, conduct, and evaluate action research projects within the field of kinesiology. This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of action research and its use in promoting change and improvement in a variety of settings, including physical activity and exercise programs, sport organizations, and health promotion initiatives.

KHS7810: Applied Measurement and Evaluation Techniques in Kinesiology: This course develops skills for the selection, development, and implementation of various types of instruments and techniques for measuring and evaluating health and human performance interventions. Evaluation of these interventions includes general health behaviors, health related fitness, nutritional and dietary intake, body composition, and other areas related to an individual’s quality of life.

KHS7820: Research Methods in Kinesiology: This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the research process in the field of kinesiology. Emphasis will be placed on real-world examples of how research is effectively accessed, interpreted, and used in professional kinesiology settings.

KHS7830: Advanced Research Seminar in Kinesiology: This course builds on the previous course, but with an intentional focus on the dissertation topic of interest for each student. In-depth research strategies, data reliability and credibility, and the IRB process are discussed and completed during this course. Students schedule the dissertation proposal during this course.

KHS7900: Seminar 1-Drafting the Dissertation Introduction: This course provides students the opportunity to make progress on their dissertation in collaboration with a faculty mentor. Special focus on selecting the dissertation topic, forming the committee. and drafting an introduction.

KHS7901: Seminar 2-Drafting the Dissertation Literature Review: This course provides students the opportunity to make progress on their dissertation in collaboration with a dissertation advisor and advisory committee. Special focus on an annotate bibliography drafting the literature review.

KHS7902: Seminar 3-Drafting the Dissertation Methodology: This course provides students the opportunity to make progress on their dissertation in collaboration with a dissertation advisor and advisory committee. Special focus on drafting the methodology.

KHS7903: Seminar 4-Finalizing the Written Dissertation Prospectus: This course provides students the opportunity to make progress on their dissertation in collaboration with a dissertation advisor and advisory committee. Special focus on drafting a dissertation prospectus.

KHS7950: Ed.D. Dissertation: The dissertation is an independent, scholarly work of research completed by the doctoral candidate, under the guidance of a dissertation committee. A dissertation demonstrates a candidate’s ability to undertake scholarship in his or her field through intellectual endeavor and the application of research skills. The completion of a dissertation requires a scholarly mindset involving ongoing evaluation, analysis, and synthesis of previous, relevant research as well as one’s own work. A dissertation involves exploring an important problem that warrants investigation due to its centrality to issues of practice and application.

PhD Course Descriptions