Navigating the UCF Kinesiology Master's Program: A Comprehensive Guide

A master’s degree from UCF in kinesiology prepares you with the education and experience to pursue a career in exercise physiology, sport science, strength and conditioning, or to pursue a doctoral degree in a related field. The UCF master’s in kinesiology program admits twice per year, in the fall and summer semesters. Applicants must apply online and all requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline. Whether you’re a current or prospective graduate student, we are here to provide advice, assistance and support. We are also available virtually.

Master of Science in Kinesiology: An Overview

The Master of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Central Florida (UCF) offers students advanced study in the field of human movement, performance, and health. The program is designed to prepare graduates for diverse careers and further academic pursuits. The Master of Science in Kinesiology offers a non-thesis track, and a thesis track. Both options require a minimum of 36 credit hours, with at least 18 credit hours of coursework at the 6000 level. All students are automatically placed in the non-thesis track.

Tracks Offered

The Kinesiology MS program at UCF offers specialized tracks to cater to different career aspirations:

Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP) Track

Degree Overview: The Master of Science in Kinesiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP) Track is a non-thesis program designed to prepare students to become clinicians and/or scholars in a range of Clinical Exercise Physiology specialties.
Curriculum Focus: The CEP track provides students with the knowledge and skills within the cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, gerontology, neoplastic, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, immunologic, and behavior change practice areas.
Certification Preparation: The curriculum is designed to prepare students to sit for and pass the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Physiology (ACSM-CEP) certification exam, allowing students to enter the field as qualified healthcare professionals.
Career Paths: Students who graduate from this track are also prepared to pursue advanced studies in health-related fields or doctorate/PhD in the CEP field. Graduates are prepared for careers in clinical, community, and public health settings, or for further studies in health-related fields.

Human Performance Track

Program Focus: The Master of Science in Kinesiology, Human Performance Track provides an in-depth study of applied human physiology and how it relates to non-clinical settings (i.e. apparently healthy individuals and/or individuals with controlled disease) focused on exercise, athletic performance, and health and wellness across the lifespan.
Options: The Master of Science in Kinesiology, Human Performance track offers a Non-Thesis option and a Thesis option for students. All options require a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Core Requirements and Curriculum

CEP Track Curriculum Outline

The CEP track requires a minimum of 33 credit hours. Students complete a specific set of core courses and electives.

Required Courses (12 Total Credits):

APK6116 - Exercise Physiology I (3) - This course examines the underpinnings of exercise physiology specifically with a focus on the acute and chronic physiological responses to exercise. This course is designed to give students a fundamental knowledge of the acute and chronic responses to exercise. The overriding concept of the class is how exercise challenges the body’s normal “homeostasis,” and we will use this to illuminate the ways we function (or don’t!). Particular attention will be given to understanding the mechanisms of how these responses occur. In addition to textbook material, the course will use primary literature to understand the basis of physiological concepts and to explore emerging concepts.
APK6713 - Research Methods in Kinesiology (3) - The course is designed to introduce basic research methodology and design, which includes statistical analysis techniques used in applied physiology and kinesiology.
APK6111 - Clinical Exercise Physiology (3)
APK6090 - Professional Practices in Kinesiology (3)
APK6415 - Exercise Behavior Change and Client Education (3)
APK6946 - Graduate Internship in Kinesiology (3 - 6) - Students are required to participate in this internship, equivalent to 600 clinical hours within various settings. APK 6946 will typically be taken three times (once per semester, beginning in the second semester) for a total of 9 credit hours. A single 3-credit internship is equivalent to 200 contact hours. Students may substitute an elective course for 3 credit hours of APK 6946 with prior approval. An internship with the Division of Kinesiology is an exciting, hands-on work experience that allows students to apply classroom learning to real-world settings. The non-thesis Clinical Exercise Physiology track requires completion of three separate internship experiences (once per semester, beginning in the second semester) for a total of 9 credit hours.

Electives (3 Total Credits):

Students choose at least one course from each core topic area. With prior approval, credit hours earned toward completion of the Anatomical Sciences Graduate Certificate may be substituted for Elective Courses.

APK6102 - Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology (3)
APK6104 - Youth Physical and Athletic Development (3)
APK6107C - Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology (3)
APK6118C - Neuromuscular Physiology of Human Movement (3)
APK6124 - Environmental Exercise Physiology (3) - This course is designed to examine the responses of the body during and after exposure to extreme environmental conditions. Topics will include high-altitude, deep-water diving, extreme temperature environments, microgravity/outer space, and high-stress environments.
PHT6161C - Neuroplasticity of Human Movement (3)
APK6167 - Sport Nutrition and Ergogenic Aids (3) - This course addresses the aspects of nutrition that are related to exercise performance. Emphasis will be placed on the bioenergetics systems, the components of nutrition, nutritional and body composition assessments, ergogenic aids, and diet modifications for physically active individuals and athletes.
APK6173C - Body Composition and Anthropometrics (3)
APK6176 - Program Design in Strength and Conditioning (3) - This course addresses the principles of designing training programs of varying duration aimed at improving muscular strength, power, speed, agility, endurance, balance, stability, and hypertrophy.
APK6168 - Exercise, Nutrition and Weight Control (3)
APK6235 - Kinesiology Instrumentation (3)
APK6612 - Monitoring Training and Athletic Performance (3)
APK6703 - Statistical Methods in Kinesiology (3)
APK6408 - Motivational Aspects in Athletic Performance (3)
APK6127 - Assessment and Evaluation in Kinesiology (3) - This course equips students with the skills to evaluate and interpret tests related to health and human performance.
APK6170 - Exercise Physiology II (3)
APK6407 - Peak Performance in Sports (3)
APK6127 - Assessment and Evaluation in Kinesiology (3)
APK6170 - Exercise Physiology II (3)
APK6407 - Peak Performance in Sports (3)

Human Performance Track Curriculum

All options require a minimum of 30 credit hours. All students are automatically placed in the non-thesis option which, in addition to the typical coursework, requires 3-9 credit hours of internship(s) and/or review of literature, depending on track. Students wishing to pursue the Thesis option must receive approval from the graduate program director and have a commitment from a faculty member to serve as the thesis committee chair.

Additional Course Options

The online M.S. in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology is a STEM-intensive degree program. It focuses on how exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control, athletic-injury prevention, and sport psychology can improve people’s lives and maximize athletic performance. You will learn to use research-backed concepts to: design and perform assessments, collect and interpret data, evaluate outcomes, and create effective interventions and training plans. You will also build professional skills through interactive sessions with instructors and fellow students. All courses champion teamwork, ethical behavior, cultural sensitivity, professional conduct, and professional communication. Students fulfill the following requirements: Graduation from the online M.S.

This course covers advanced concepts in integrative physiology and exercise, focusing on metabolism and endocrine exercise physiology, skeletal muscle contraction and fatigue, cardiovascular and hemodynamics regulations, and respiratory exercise physiology.
This course will introduce genomics, genetics principles, and technologies relevant to sports and human performance. It will analyze the evidence for the role of genetic variation in power, endurance, trainability, and injury.
This course is dedicated to the creation of exercise prescriptions specifically tailored for various health-related conditions. The course will begin by examining the specifics of cardiovascular and resistance exercise prescription for the healthy adult. Then the course will move to pharmacology that is often seen with common health-related issues.
This course provides in-depth coverage of musculoskeletal anatomy as a foundation for evaluating the muscular control of joint movements in any exercise.
This course focuses on teaching and applying the principles of statics, kinematics, and kinetics to kinesiological systems of the human body in movement and sports skills. This course applies the principles of kinematics and kinetics to the human body during movement, with an emphasis on how these principles affect injury prevention and performance enhancement.
This course examines the fundamental concepts of human movement and the effects of movement impairments on musculoskeletal injury risk. It includes evidence-based program design recommendations and the practical skills necessary to successfully identify and correct movement impairments in an active population. Topics include assessing human movement dysfunction, the corrective exercise continuum, and corrective exercise strategies.
Students will learn to apply AI technologies to the study of sport and movement sciences in both healthy and diseased human populations. This course introduces students to programming and data visualization techniques while covering classical concepts of machine learning (e.g. linear regression and classification, ensemble-based algorithm, clustering, and neural networks) and modern machine learning methods for images and video processing (e.g.
This course surveys the cognitive, social, behavioral, and neurophysiological factors that influence performance in sport and other motor performance endeavors. This course is part of a two-course series in tandem with APK 5404 Sport Psychology. The courses collectively examine the cognitive, social, behavioral, and neurophysiological factors that influence performance in sport and other motor performance endeavors. The field of sport psychology actively promotes the scientist-practitioner model. Utilization of the scientist-practitioner model involves the ability to consume and appropriately apply contemporary theory and scientific findings to the practice of applied sport psychology.
This course explores mental and psychological techniques and strategies to improve performance and achievement in sport and exercise. Covers the fundamental links between emotion and attention. Covers skill acquisition and expertise development in human performance with specific coverage of the role that perceptual, cognitive, and motor (movement) skills are necessary and trainable aspects of human expertise.
This course is designed as the next step after attainment of the CSCS credential. It addresses advanced physiological, biomechanical, and exercise program design principles relevant to the practice of strength and conditioning. Emphasis is placed on making informed decisions from available data when designing training programs to optimize athletic performance.
This course is designed for students with limited (<2 years) or no experience in the strength and conditioning field. It examines fundamental concepts in bioenergetics, biomechanics, cardiopulmonary responses, and skeletal muscle function and adaptation. Includes evidence-based program design and practical skills necessary for success in fire and rescue, law enforcement, and military careers. It is best suited for students interested in working with either non-athletic (but still physically active) and/or tactical athlete populations.
This course is dedicated to creating exercise prescriptions specifically tailored for various health-related conditions. Students will examine assessments and exercise programming for aerobic, resistance, balance, flexibility, and movement-related aspects of health and fitness.
This course is dedicated to sport supplements and their effects on athletes. The course will begin by examining common aspects of nutrition and how supplements influence macronutrient intake and general human physiology. Then the history of sports supplements will be reviewed along with current regulations that govern sports supplements.
Examines fundamental concepts related to the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data relevant to the outcome of human performance across myriad physical and cognitive domains, including sport, exercise, tactical operations, and medical professions.
This course looks at the legal effects of regulating and managing amateur and professional sports and wellness programs.
This course is taught in a seminar-style manner, with student-led presentations and discussions. Through the reading of journal articles and book chapters, as well as review of current events, students will use sociological concepts, theories, and research to critically examine social issues in sport. These issues include, but are not limited to: racism, sexism, classism, discrimination, homophobia, violence, the media, and the influence of sport on youth culture, family life, and the economy. With the massive growth of revenues within the sports industry over the past 25 years, competent managers within the sport industry must have a sound understanding of finance topics - loosely defined as the management of money - and how to use them in their everyday managing duties.

Admission Requirements

The MS in Kinesiology requires that all applicants successfully complete (with a grade of C or higher) the equivalent of 8 semester hours of anatomy and physiology, with labs. One of two options must be met:

Option 1: Human Anatomy with lab and Human Physiology with lab
Option 2: Anatomy/Physiology combined with labs

Assessment and Certification

ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiology Certification

Students are recommended to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Physiology certification in the final semester prior to graduation. Students are prepared to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiology (ACSM-CEP) certification exam.

Additional Opportunities

Anatomical Sciences Graduate Certificate

Done in conjunction with your MS degree, you can gain an in-depth understanding of anatomical sciences and substantial hands-on experience in the gross anatomy laboratory when you elect to complete a graduate certificate in anatomical sciences. Students interested in pursuing the Anatomical Sciences Graduate Certificate must receive approval from the graduate program director.

Read also: Finding Kinesiology Programs

Costs

Full-time students in the Kinesiology MS, CEP track pay a $28 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $14 each semester that they are enrolled.

Application Process

The UCF master’s in kinesiology program admits twice per year, in the fall and summer semesters. Applicants must apply online and all requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline. You can check the status of your application anytime online at myUCF.

Career Opportunities

A degree in exercise science can lead to the following careers. Clinical exercise physiologists work in a variety of clinical, community, and public health settings. Students who graduate from this track are also prepared to pursue advanced studies in health-related fields or doctorate/PhD in the CEP field.

Conclusion

The UCF Kinesiology Master's program provides a robust and versatile curriculum designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in a variety of careers related to exercise, health, and human performance. With specialized tracks, comprehensive coursework, and opportunities for hands-on experience, graduates are well-prepared to make a significant impact in their chosen field.

Read also: Kinesiology at Michigan

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