Transitioning From High School to Higher Education
Although she initially thought her academic journey had ended following her master’s degree and health certification, a long-standing goal of becoming a college professor inspired her to pursue a doctoral degree. Dr. McCarthy’s completion of CSP Global’s flexible online PhD in Kinesiology directly facilitated her transition into higher education, allowing her to land adjunct professor roles at both CSP and Husson University before even graduating.
“My time at CSP was encouraging, engaging, and provided a sense of community with my classmates and professors. I cannot say enough positive things about my experience.”
Managing Motherhood, Work, and Doctoral Studies
She enrolled in CSP Global’s PhD program in the summer of 2021, discovering halfway through her first course that she was pregnant with her first child. Despite the overwhelming challenge of managing pregnancy, new motherhood, and doctoral studies, her motivation never wavered. CSP’s accessible and flexible online format enabled Dr. McCarthy to complete her coursework around her busy schedule, demonstrating that it is possible to balance full-time teaching, growing a family, and rigorous study.
Dr. Megan McCarthy, who teaches high school health and physical education at Hermon High School.
In her last semester, with only four courses and the final chapters of her dissertation remaining, Dr. McCarthy proved her impressive drive and resilience when she discovered she was pregnant with her second child
“I did what anyone would do, I doubled up on courses, spent three evenings a week writing my dissertation, worked full time, loved on my son, gained encouragement from my husband, and went to bed each night exhausted, but so thankful for the opportunity.”
In a remarkable feat of determination and planning, she successfully defended her dissertation at 38 weeks pregnant on a Thursday afternoon and welcomed her daughter the following Monday.
“It was a very busy week, but looking back, I am very appreciative to my committee members and their willingness to meet early in the semester as my goal was to be finished before I had my daughter.”
Researching Perfectionism and Physical Activity
Her dissertation, “Exploring the Nexus of Perfectionism, Physical Activity, and Smartphone Addiction: A Study Among College Adults,” was inspired by her own personal experiences with perfectionism and professional observations of undergraduate students. Although her correlational analysis did not yield statistically significant results, she uncovered valuable insights, finding that 12% of her participants qualified for smartphone addiction.
Since earning her doctorate, Dr. McCarthy has continued to expand her impact in higher education, creating a Functional Anatomy and Physiology lecture and lab course series at Husson University in Bangor, Maine.
Advice for Future Kinesiology Scholars
For those entering the program, Dr. McCarthy emphasizes the importance of dedication and structured planning.
Her best advice for new students is “be committed to your degree and put forth the effort it takes to do well. It might mean late nights, early mornings, working during a nap time, missing out on social functions, but in the grand scheme of things, it is short lived.”
She encourages students to set routines, establish realistic weekly goals, and celebrate small wins, which build essential momentum toward achieving the bigger goal. Going forward, Dr. McCarthy looks forward to realizing her dream of becoming a full-time college professor, with her two little ones cheering her on every step of the way.
Explore Your Future
If Dr. McCarthy’s journey inspires you to elevate your own career in higher education or advanced practice, CSP Global is ready to help you take the next step. Discover how our online PhD in Kinesiology offers the flexibility and rigor needed to balance your professional goals with your personal life.