Department of Kinesiology

We create and disseminate new knowledge related to physical activity, sports, and physical education. We prepare scholars and researchers, physical education teachers, and sports specialists to deliver education, sport, and rehabilitative services for all segments of society. This includes special populations such as children, the elderly, athletes, and persons with disabilities, injuries, and disease.

We offer degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in exercise science, physical education, and sport management. These programs will apply knowledge, principles, and methods from the behavioral, biological, medical, and physical sciences to the study of physical activity and sport.

The Department of Kinesiology is a member of the American Kinesiology Association.

Additional Faculty Videos

• Deborah Barany
• Jamie Cooper
• Chris Modlesky
• Pat O’Connor
• Jing Xu
• Sami Yli-Piipari

Support Our Programs

Scholarships

In addition to the following departmental scholarships, learn more about additional opportunities for financial assistance on our financial aid page .

Undergraduate

• Abbie DeLoach Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
• Clifford Gray Lewis Financial Assistance Award
• Clifford Gray Lewis Scholarship Award
• Joan B. Neal Scholarship Award
• Mary Ella Lunday Soule Scholarship Awards
• Michael E. Penland Family Award
• Mike Castronis Scholarship Award
• Teri Johnston Memorial Scholarship
• UGA Alumni Sports Industry Council Scholarship

Graduate

• Ann Jewett Award
• Clifford Gray Lewis Financial Assistance Award
• Louise E. Kindig Research Award
• Mary Ella Lunday Soule Scholarship Awards
• Phil & Phyllis Sparling Summer GRA Award

Graduate Student Materials

• Student Handbooks, Schedules, and other useful resources for graduate students

Graduate Assistantships

Eligibility

Any applicants to a program in the Department of Kinesiology can apply for a graduate assistantship.

Assistantship Information

Assistantship opportunities within the Kinesiology Department are available to highly qualified applicants, providing financial support and professional, teaching, or research experience. Graduate assistants work between 13-20 hours/week while completing their academic programs and receive a monthly stipend, full tuition waiver, and one-third remission of health insurance if enrolled on the university plan.

Other Assistantship Opportunities

Depending upon your background and interests you may also wish to apply for assistantship opportunities outside the Department of Kinesiology, such as:

• Recreational Sports
• For more information on additional opportunities through the Athletic Association, please visit the Athletic Association’s Office of Human Resources

Even more financial aid information can be requested from the Office of Student Financial Aid .

How To Apply

Assistantship Application

If you are interested in a departmental assistantship, complete your program’s application for admission by January 10 and submit your application for graduate assistantship as soon as possible.

Selection Process

Departmental assistantships are chosen once a year for the coming academic year. Students with an assistantship must be enrolled during the academic year. Applications are reviewed starting around February 1. Usually 80% of the assistantships are awarded during the months of February and March, and the remainder during April. You cannot be awarded an assistantship until you have been admitted to a degree program in the University.

Undergraduate Research

Research

The Department of Kinesiology strongly encourages undergraduates to pursue independent research as part of their education. In addition to the high value placed on research by medical and graduate school admissions committees, an undergraduate research experience serves to engage students in “active learning” outside of the traditional classroom.

Undergraduate students have several options in regards to coursework related to their research experience. Most students begin in KINS 3480: Practicum in Kinesiology Research. This course designation is repeatable and is most appropriate for students who are beginning in a lab or who are generally assisting with the research of a faculty member. Students interested in pursuing this course should first contact a faculty member to find a lab in which they can become engaged. Once this participation has been established, students can formally apply for this course credit .

For more seasoned students, or those who have more of an active role in the lab, R-suffix courses are likely more appropriate. These “faculty-mentored undergraduate research” courses are sequential and progressive as denoted in their numbering (KINS 4960R, KINS 4970R, KINS 4980R) with the final course (KINS 4990R) being a capstone or thesis project course.

Please note that students do not have to wait until their senior year to start in a lab—in fact, faculty are generally more enthusiastic about students who have spent several semesters (even years!) in the lab. Those longer-term research experiences will be particularly beneficial as faculty mentors will be especially committed to students’ training and education. Some faculty are happy to mentor students for a single semester, while others prefer a longer commitment.

Applications for Research Course Approval

Research Course Forms

KINS 4960R, 4970R, and 4980R Application Form

Thesis

After completing KINS 4960R, students should have a serious discussion with their research mentor about the possibility of continuing in the lab to work towards a thesis. At minimum, a thesis will require two semesters of additional research beyond KINS 4960R (KINS 4970R and 4980R). Some faculty may have additional requirements for students who wish to complete the thesis.

KINS 4990R Application Form (PDF)

When turning in your thesis, you may create your own cover sheet, or you may use the cover sheet template (PDF) .

Please note that if you create your own cover sheet, you must still have the appropriate signatures listed on your sheet.

How do you become involved in undergraduate research?

The easiest way is to contact a Kinesiology faculty member whose work interests you. Students can view each faculty member’s research interest on their profile page .

For those faculty whose research looks particularly interesting, you might read a few of their recent papers. Then, email the faculty member and ask if they are interested in having an undergraduate conducting research in the lab. If so, arrange to meet with the faculty member to discuss the possibilities. Please try to line up a meeting in the semester prior to the one in which you want to start.

KINS Research FAQs (PDF)

KINS R-Suffix Overview (PDF)

Student Organizations

Exercise is Medicine-On Campus (EIM-OC)

The Exercise is Medicine-On Campus organization works to engage in the promotion of physical activity as a vital sign of health. We encourage faculty, staff, and students to work together toward improving the health and well-being of the campus community.

Omega Tau

Omega Tau is a pre-professional organization for students pursuing a career in occupational therapy. Our goal is to prepare students for graduate school and a career.

We organize professional speakers to come and speak to members about the profession, graduate school, and additional information relevant to the field, and we also provide shadowing and volunteer opportunities to our members.

Faculty advisor: Christopher D. Mojock

Rho Tau

Rho Tau is a pre-physical therapy club open to any student interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy. The club hosts both representatives from physical therapy programs and physical therapists to guest lecture.

Staff advisor: Lauren Flowers

Sports Business Club (SBC)

The UGA Sports Business Club gives students opportunities to network with industry professionals and to find out about internships and other opportunities.

This club is open to all majors and anyone who has an interest in pursuing a career involving sports. A usual meeting consists of a guest speaker presentation followed by a Q&A session.

Faculty advisor: Thomas Alexander Baker III