A student running on a treadmill in a kinesiology lab

Kinesiology: M.Ed. - Master of Education

The M.Ed. in Kinesiology provides a unique blend of direct instruction, field and clinical practice, and various research opportunities. Concentrations in Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology with Individuals with Disabilities.

At a Glance

Program Results

M.Ed. - Master of Education

Kinesiology, with a concentration in either Exercise Physiology or Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities

Program Type

  • Full Time
  • Part Time

Location

  • In-Person

Estimated Length

  • M.Ed. Kinesiology - Exercise Physiology: 2 years
  • M.Ed. Kinesiology - Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities: 1 year

Application Deadline

Exercise Physiology concentration (program begins in the fall)

  • March 1 (early notification deadline)
  • July 1 (final deadline)

Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities concentration (program begins in the summer)

  • February 1 (early notification deadline)
  • May 1 (final deadline)

Credits

36

About This Program

The M.Ed. in Kinesiology degree advances the discovery, development, interpretation, dissemination and application of knowledge that relates the study of human movement and physical activity to human well-being.

The program fosters innovation and diversity across many dimensions and prepares our students to engage in projects that address the needs of our increasingly complex and diverse society.

There are two concentrations of study for the M.Ed. in Kinesiology degree:

  1. Exercise Physiology (2 year program)
  2. Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities (1 year program)

Current UVA undergraduates may qualify for direct admission into the M.Ed. in Kinesiology graduate program. See details on our Direct Admission page.

Exercise Physiology Concentration

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below:

  • The M.Ed in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Physiology is open to applicants who have already obtained an undergraduate degree. The program is typically completed in 4 semesters.

  • For applicants enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at UVA at the time of submission: SAT or ACT scores may be submitted. Applicants who had SAT or ACT scores sent to the university previously do not need to have them re-sent.

  • Applicants must exhibit a high standard of achievement during their undergraduate work (minimum of 3.0 GPA) and 2 outstanding letters of recommendation to be uploaded to the online application.

Visit our Graduate Admission page for the full admission process.


Direct Admission for Current UVA Students
Current UVA students are eligible for the Direct Admission option if they have a minimum GPA of 3.3 and have completed one or more of the required courses. Review the Direct Admission page for more information.

UVA students currently in the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology program who choose to focus their course work and practical experience in Exercise Physiology can complete the master’s degree in one additional year. These students must be in good academic standing. Students should declare their interest in the master’s in Exercise Physiology by the end of their third year, since this determines the electives they take, and allows them to begin graduate course work in their 4th year at UVA. Those who qualify may apply for Direct Admission to the graduate program. UVA students who complete the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology with more than 120 hours can count up to 6 approved graduate credits toward the M.Ed. in Kinesiology–Exercise Physiology degree.

Graduate Admission

Application for admission is made to the School of Education and Human Development Office of Admission & Enrollment. For more information about the graduate admission process, please visit our Graduate Admission page.

Exercise Physiology Concentration Overview

The M.Ed. in Kinesiology – Exercise Physiology concentration is a two-year program of study (typically one year for UVA undergraduates who complete the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology). There are currently three specialization options:

  1. A specialization that prepares students for advanced graduate study in Exercise Physiology, Physical Activity Intervention, Exercise Science and potential academic/research careers
  2. A specialization that prepares students for clinically-oriented careers in fitness/exercise and health promotion, physical activity intervention, cardiac rehabilitation or strength training and conditioning
  3. A specialization that allows students to combine options 1 and 2

Coursework

To learn more about specific courses taken as part of the completion of this degree, visit the Graduate Record website. These webpages represent the official repository for academic program requirements. A link to these publications can be found in the Curriculum Information section at the bottom of this page.

To complete the M.Ed. in Kinesiology – Exercise Physiology program, students must complete a minimum of 36 credits (beyond their undergraduate degree). 

In addition to the 36 credits, students must also either complete a master’s thesis under the direction of Arthur Weltman OR pass a comprehensive examination. Students who are not doing a thesis are expected to participate in additional practicum experiences beyond the EDHS 7431/7432 series.

Kinesiology-Exercise Physiology Course Descriptions

Information on courses that are part of the M.Ed. in Kinesiology-Exercise Physiology curriculum can be found on the UVA Graduate Record website.

Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities Concentration

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below:

  • Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in physical education, kinesiology, exercise science or related discipline from an accredited college or university, and meet admission standards outlined in the School of Education and Human Development's Admission Policies. Preference is given to students who are licensed to teach physical education.
  • An academic writing sample is required as part of the application. The writing sample must be a paper submitted to an academic class and should be a minimum of 3 pages long (preferably longer). This paper should be submitted along with the online application.

Visit our Graduate Admission page for the full admission process.


Direct Admission for Current UVA Students
Current UVA students are eligible for the Direct Admission option if they have a minimum GPA of 3.3 and have completed one or more of the required courses. Review the Direct Admission page for more information

UVA students who complete the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology with more than 120 hours can count up to 6 approved graduate credits toward the M.Ed. degree. 

Graduate Admission

Application for admission is made to the School of Education and Human Development Office of Admission & Enrollment. For more information about the graduate admission process, please visit our Graduate Admission page.

Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities Concentration Overview

To learn more about specific courses taken as part of the completion of this degree, visit the Graduate Record website. These webpages represent the official repository for academic program requirements. A link to these publications can be found in the Curriculum Information section at the bottom of this page.

With a concentration in Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities, you can learn how to use the power of physical education to make a difference in the lives of students who need it the most. This is a full- or part-time program that is offered in Charlottesville only.

The program consists of 36 credit hours with part of these credits including practicum hours teaching students with disabilities. Students are required to pass a comprehensive examination which is the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) Examination for physical educators who are seeing to become nationally certified as an adapted physical educator. Others have an alternative comprehensive examination.

Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities Course Descriptions

Information on courses that are part of the M.Ed. in Kinesiology-Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities curriculum can be found on the UVA Graduate Record website.

Practicum

The M.Ed. in Kinesiology – Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities concentration is best known for its emphasis on daily practical experiences. We feel that daily practical experiences, supplemented by formal coursework with internationally known faculty in physical education special education, and counseling, is the best way to prepare our students to become master teachers.

It is important for University students to be a part of the greater Charlottesville community and support the community with efforts to provide services to children and adults with disabilities. As such, the Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities concentration provides several different practicum experiences that are tied directly to Charlottesville and Albemarle County programs. For example, through a cooperative program jointly sponsored by the University of Virginia and Albemarle County Public Schools, our students serve as part-time adapted physical education specialists and work with physical and occupational therapists in local Albemarle County Public Schools. This unique arrangement allows our students to get daily, hands-on experience working as a member of a multidisciplinary team with children with disabilities, their parents, staff, and administration from local public schools. In turn, Albemarle County Schools get needed adapted physical education services at a fraction of the cost of full-time teachers. Over the past five years, students pursuing the Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities concentration at the University of Virginia have provided services to over 150 children with disabilities 2 to 13 years of age in 14 different Albemarle County Schools.

Another service component of our program is providing support to local sports and recreation organizations serving children and adults with disabilities. In the past several years, our students have served as coaches and provided other forms of assistance to our local Special Olympics Program in volleyball, swimming, soccer, track and field, and basketball. Also, our students served as support staff at Virginia Wheelchair Games held each year at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, VA. Most recently, our students have provided physical education and recreation services to the Virginia Institute of Autism (VIA). Again, these practical experiences help our students learn more about children and adults with disabilities while at the same time providing support to important community programs.

Practical experiences, service to the community, taking courses with internationally known faculty, and working closely with faculty on presentations and publications are all a part of M.Ed. in Kinesiology – Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities program.

Kinesiology News

Program Faculty

Jason David Allen

Jason David Allen

  • Professor
Siddhartha S Angadi

Siddhartha Angadi

  • Associate Professor
Martin Block

Martin E. Block

  • Professor
  • Director, Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities Program
David A. Edwards

David A. Edwards

  • Associate Professor
  • Director of Undergraduate Program
Sibylle Kranz

Sibylle Kranz

  • Associate Professor
Damon Swift

Damon Swift

  • Associate Professor
Arthur L Weltman

Arthur L. Weltman

  • Professor of Kinesiology
  • Professor of Medicine

Exercise Physiology Concentration Contact

Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities Concentration Contact

Disclosures

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)). Although California does not participate in SARA, it allows students to enroll in out-of-state programs.

Upon completion of the M.Ed. in Kinesiology - Exercise Physiology program or the M.Ed. in Kinesiology - Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilites at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state. Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).