MS in Kinesiology
Dive deep into the role of human movement in health with a master’s in kinesiology.
How do nerves, muscles, and joints work together to carry out complex movements? What regulates fuels oxidized at rest and during exercise? How much of what we call aging is actually due to physical inactivity and how can physical activity help prevent or manage chronic disease and disability?
Explore the answers to these and other questions around the science of human movement with UMass Amherst’s MS in Kinesiology. You have an option of completing an MS thesis (research option) or a course-based MS program.
When applying to the MS Thesis or PhD Kinesiology program, you will choose an area of specialization:
- Biomechanics
- Movement Neuroscience
- Physical Activity and Health
- Physiology
Note: All kinesiology graduate degree programs are STEM designated programs.
Benefits list
Doctoral Study and Career Opportunities
The kinesiology graduate program prepares you for doctoral study in kinesiology, biology, psychology, or engineering. Graduates may choose careers as study coordinators for grant-funded research projects, or as research associates in academic, medical, or independent lab settings, or in business.
Member American Kinesiology Association
The Department of Kinesiology is a proud member of the AKA, which promotes kinesiology as a field and includes areas of study in exercise science, sports management, athletic training, and sports medicine, among others.
Research Studies
The kinesiology department offers regular opportunities to participate in research studies. It’s your chance to learn firsthand about a variety of areas, from movement in children and adolescents to healthy aging and muscle performance.
Featured class
Students will critically review relevant literature and discuss strengths, weaknesses, and future directions. Course content will be organized around three main themes: epidemiology, determinants of physical activity, and sedentary behavior.
Featured faculty
John Sirard
Graduate Program Director, Kinesiology
Focus on physical activity measurement; social & environmental influences on youth physical activity; school- & community-based physical activity interventions
Katie Potter
Focus on physical activity behavior change; physical activity interventions.
Mark Miller
Focus on skeletal and cardiac muscle contraction, and how alterations due to aging, exercise and fatigue affect whole muscle and whole body performance.
Katherine Boyer
Focus on biomechanics; motion analysis; aging; osteoarthritis; tissue mechanics; overuse injury
Application information & deadlines
Application is through the UMass Graduate School. Students must choose an area of specialization and a faculty member they wish to work with.
Priority Deadline
Applications received by Dec. 1 each year will be given priority consideration.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the degree is Feb. 1.
Kinesiology
Investigating the mechanical, neurological, biochemical, physiological, and behavioral components of human movement.