Department of Health and Human Development, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Graduate Faculty
Arthur-Cameselle, Jessyca, EdD, sport and exercise psychology.
Brilla, Lorraine, PhD, exercise physiology/nutrition.
Keeler, Linda, EdD, sport and exercise psychology.
Robey, Nathan, PhD, exercise physiology/injury prevention and rehabilitation.
San Juan, Jun, PhD, biomechanics/athletic training.
Suprak, David, PhD, biomechanics/strength and conditioning.
Advisors: Dr. Lorrie Brilla, 360-650-3056, Lorrie.Brilla@wwu.edu; Linda Keeler, Linda.Keeler@wwu.edu.
Program Description
Graduate study leading to a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology is offered with two options: exercise science and sport and exercise psychology.
This purpose of the sport and exercise psychology option is to educate students technically and professionally in the area of sport and exercise psychology. The focus is on assisting students in the design, implementation, and assessment of the psychological components of exercise, sport, and wellness programs. Through independent research and inquiry, students will solve sport and exercise psychology related problems associated with human movement and performance.
Goals
The educational mission of the program is to develop individuals who make informed decisions about exercise, human movement, and performance that foster health and physically active lifestyles. To this end faculty are dedicated to quality teaching, scholarship and service.
Prerequisites
Kinesiology major/minor or equivalent courses from the exercise science, behavioral and cultural and professional activity areas are required prerequisites for the graduate program. An applicant to the Sport and Exercise Psychology program who does not have a Kinesiology-related major or minor must take the following equivalency courses: two courses from the exercise science area (KIN 306, 308, 309, 311, 312, 410, 413, 416), two behavioral and cultural foundations courses (KIN 320, 321, 421), and two credits from the PE 100-level activity courses. These courses may be taken concurrently with graduate courses but must be completed before submitting a thesis proposal. Equivalent courses taken at other institutions may be applied.
All students must have taken an introductory statistics course (MATH 240 or equivalent). This course may be taken concurrently with graduate courses but must be completed before enrolling in KIN 506.
Application Information
Admission: Program faculty will review application materials for notification by January 15 and will continue to review materials until the enrollment is reached or June 1, whichever comes first for fall quarter admission in odd-numbered years.
Entry to the sport and exercise psychology graduate program is competitive based on qualifications. A cohort student group is admitted on an alternate year basis in the fall quarter of odd-numbered years and is comprised of 3-5 students.
Students from all undergraduate majors are eligible to apply to the program. A sport psychology course, a statistics course, and three additional psychology courses are preferred at the time of application. Applicants without an undergraduate sport psychology course who are admitted to the program must complete both courses prior to enrollment. Admitted students without a statistics course must complete one during their first year in the program. Admitted students without the additional three undergraduate psychology courses will need to satisfy any specific prerequisites prior to enrolling in any graduate psychology course electives.
After initial screening of applications, the faculty will select individuals to invite for phone interviews.
Deadlines: Please see Graduate School deadlines.
TA Deadlines: To receive full consideration for a graduate teaching assistantship, applicants should have their application materials submitted by January 15.
Supporting Materials:
- Statement of Purpose: Please outline areas of interest, goals for graduate study and future career plans related to the degree.
- Three (3) Letters of Reference. Two of the three letters must be from faculty who can comment specifically on your writing and academic abilities.
- GPA and transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions.
- Specific Test Requirements: Graduate Record Exam General Test; applicants with advanced degrees are not required to submit GRE scores.
- Undergraduate degree (major).
