Upon realizing that it was time to fully transition into academia, she chose CSP Global’s program because “it offered the right balance of flexibility, academic focus, research rigor, and affordability.”

For physical therapists asking “how do I transition into academia?”, Dr. Eimiller’s journey demonstrates that an EdD provides the research rigor and pedagogical credentials needed to succeed in tenure-track roles. Accepting her full-time faculty position at Daemen University at the beginning of the program, she appreciated CSP Global for its structure and support, allowing her to advance her research interests while balancing the demands of family and a new role.

Why the Online EdD in Kinesiology?

For working faculty and clinicians, finding time for a doctorate can be the biggest hurdle. Dr. Eimiller chose the online format because it offered the flexibility she needed to balance work, family, and academics.

She noted that eliminating the need for commute time was a tremendous lifesaver. Reflecting on her doctoral program, she identified 4:00 AM as the best time to work on assignments and write her dissertation—a schedule made possible by the asynchronous nature of the coursework.

Dr. Kira Eimiller at the annual ACSM conference in Boston, Massachusetts, in May 2024, presenting on her poster titled “Reliability of Goniometric Techniques for Measuring Hip Flexor Length Using the Modified Thomas Test.”

Dissertation Research: Hip Tightness and Back Pain

Dr. Eimiller’s dissertation explored the relationship between hip flexor tightness and low back pain in individuals who were not actively seeking medical care.

As a physical therapist, she often saw hip flexor mobility assumed to be a contributing factor to back pain, yet there was limited evidence directly supporting this link, especially in community populations outside of the clinic. It became her passion project because it blended her clinical curiosity with her desire to better understand movement-related contributors to musculoskeletal pain.

Dr. Kira Eimiller (center) with her students at the annual APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) CSM (Combined Sections Meeting) Conference in Houston, Texas, in February 2025.

Publishing Research in the Journal of Clinical Medicine

Since her graduation, Dr. Eimiller has continued to pursue research and contribute publications to the field. Applying the research leadership skills gained during her EdD, Dr. Eimiller guided her students to publish “The Core of the Issue: Plank Performance and Pain in the Lower Back” in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.

The project examined the relationship between plank endurance and low back pain. Interestingly, they found that individuals with low back pain actually held longer plank times than those without, challenging the common assumption that reduced plank endurance is a marker of impairment.

“Guiding them through the process and watching their growth as emerging professionals was one of the most rewarding parts of my year,” she shares.

Advice for Future Doctoral Students

Dr. Eimiller is continuing to build on her dissertation’s line of inquiry with another student-led project currently underway entitled, “Are Hips to Blame? Examining the Link between Hip Flexors and Back Pain in Runners.”

Her advice for current CSP Global students is to “take the leap and trust the process. Keep your eye on your goals, and you’ll find the program is the right choice.”

Dr. Eimiller’s next goal is to continue elevating her teaching skills and maintain her passion to excite and educate the next generation of physical therapists.

Ready to Move from the Clinic to the Classroom?

Dr. Eimiller used CSP Global’s 100% online EdD in Kinesiology to transition from physical therapy to a faculty role. Whether you want to teach, lead, or research, discover how our 100% online kinesiology doctorate fits your life.