How to Apply

General Information and Deadline

Any individual who applies to the graduate program in Kinesiology must read and follow the instructions below.

• The application deadline for Ph.D. Degree is January 15th; the Master’s Degree is January 30th for admission to Fall semester; applications are not accepted for Spring semester
• Applications completed after posted deadlines (above) will be considered on a secondary basis and may be denied if programs are at capacity

Master’s Degree (MS)

• The MS degree includes thesis and non-thesis options
• All applicants must match with an individual faculty mentor
• It is highly recommended that MS thesis applicants contact the faculty member with whom they wish to conduct their research prior to submitting the application; faculty members are more likely to accept students to conduct research under their supervision if the applicant's research interests match their own
• MS thesis applicants who do not match with a faculty mentor may be accepted into the MS non thesis option, however, you will still need to select a faculty mentor
• The MS non-thesis option is very practice-oriented and involves field experience, an internship, and a project

MS Application Procedures

The following items should be submitted directly to the Graduate Admissions Office through the Apply Yourself WebCenter:

• Official transcripts documenting all previous academic work in higher education. The transcripts must indicate the attainment of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• A current resume or a curriculum vita that details your academic and/or professional accomplishments.
• Do not send transcripts to the Kinesiology Program.
• Two (2) letters of reference on letterhead from individuals who know your academic and/or professional skills. These must be submitted electronically through AY
• A 500-word statement declaring your specialization area (Exercise Physiology, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Sport Pedagogy) thesis or non-thesis option, and a narrative of your professional and/or research objectives and rationale for seeking the degree
• Students wishing to conduct thesis research must receive commitment from a faculty mentor prior to admission into that degree option
• GRE scores from the Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing exam, taken within the last 5 years
• A score of 300, or higher, on the combined verbal and quantitative sections of the test, and a 4 on the written section, is required
• GRE University code=4853
• If taking the computerized GRE, use the drop-down menu to indicate that scores should be sent to the University of Utah

Criteria for Admission to MS

• A GPA of 3.0 or higher overall or during the last two years of undergraduate work
• Evidence of significant coursework in physical education and/or exercise science at the Bachelor's level. See specific information on pre-requisite courses by sub discipline
• The attainment of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• A combined Verbal and Quantitative GRE score of 300 or higher
• Students who meet the criteria listed above may not be accepted due to:
  • A high volume of more qualified applicants
  • The lack of a mentor for those who apply to the MS thesis option
  • A late application
  • An incomplete application

Doctoral Degree (PhD)

• PhD applicants must match with an individual faculty mentor
• It is highly recommended that doctoral applicants contact the faculty member with whom they wish to conduct their research prior to submitting the application. Faculty members are more likely to accept students to conduct research under their supervision if the applicant's research interests match their own
• Applicants to the doctoral program are strongly encouraged to visit the campus for a personal interview with a possible faculty mentor

PhD Application Procedures

The following items should be submitted directly to the Graduate Admissions Office through the Apply Yourself WebCenter:

• Graduate Application Form, plus the application fee
• Official transcripts documenting all previous academic work in higher education. The transcripts must indicate the attainment of a bachelor’s degree AND a master’s degree from regionally accredited institutions
• A current resume or a curriculum vita that details your academic and/or professional accomplishments
• 3 letters of reference on letterhead from individuals who know your academic and/or professional skills. Letters must be submitted electronically through AY
• A 500-word statement declaring your specialization area (Exercise Physiology, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Sport Pedagogy)
• A narrative of your professional and/or research objectives and rationale for seeking the degree
• GRE scores from the Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing exam, taken within the last 5 years
• GRE University code=4853
• If taking the computerized GRE, use the drop-down menu to indicate that scores should be sent to the University of Utah

Criteria for Admission to PhD

• A GPA of 3.0 or higher overall or during the last two years of undergraduate work or a GPA of 3.0 or higher during graduate work
• Evidence of significant coursework in physical education and/or exercise science at the Bachelor's level. See specific information on pre-requisite courses by sub discipline
• The attainment of a bachelor's degree AND a Master's degree from regionally accredited institutions
• Students must receive commitment from a faculty mentor prior to admission into the doctoral program
• A combined Verbal and Quantitative GRE score of 300 or higher
• Students who meet the criteria listed above may not be accepted due to:
  • A high volume of more qualified applicants
  • No match between the student and a faculty mentor
  • A late application
  • An incomplete application
• The application fee for International applications is higher than for domestic applications; the application fee must be made payable in U.S. dollars
• Applicants must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is not the primary language; TOEFL results must be sent directly to the International Admissions Office
• Applicants requesting the I-20 must submit a financial statement demonstrating sufficient funds to complete the degree with the application. Each year, the amount required to complete the degree changes. Please consult Graduate Admissions for this information
• Official degrees and diplomas in the original language with official English translations.
• The equivalent of a GPA of 3.0 or higher overall or during the last two years of undergraduate work or a GPA of 3.0 or higher during graduate work
• A minimum score of 500 (173 on computer-based exam or 61 on new iBT exam) or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants whose first language is not English
• Evidence of significant coursework in physical education and/or exercise science at the Bachelor's level. See specific information on pre-requisite courses by sub discipline
• The applicant must have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution of higher learning
• Students must receive commitment from a faculty mentor prior to admission into the MS thesis option or the doctoral program
• A combined Verbal and Quantitative GRE score of 300 or higher
• Students who meet the criteria listed above may not be accepted due to:
  • A high volume of more qualified applicants
  • No match between the student and a faculty mentor
  • A late application
  • An incomplete application

International Applicant Information

International applicants should follow the application guidelines for either the MS or the PhD program.

Special information for International applicants include:

Graduate International Admissions Office Address:
University of Utah International Graduate Admissions Office
201 South, 1460 East, Room 250 S.
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9057