University of Kentucky
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MISSION STATEMENT
The Ph.D. program has an interdisciplinary nature which provides students with opportunities for coursework in physical education, physical activity promotion, health promotion, epidemiology, sociology, behavioral science, and public health.
Our goal is to prepare candidates to teach courses on physical education methods, physical education curriculum, and physical activity promotion at the undergraduate and graduate level, conduct quality research, write and publish research in high-quality journals, network with physical education teacher educators (PETE) from across the country and around the world, collaborate with faculty on research and service projects, and exhibit professional work ethic and behaviors as a PETE student/faculty member.
Our goal is to prepare candidates to teach courses on physical education methods, physical education curriculum, and physical activity promotion at the undergraduate and graduate level, conduct quality research, write and publish research in high-quality journals, network with physical education teacher educators (PETE) from across the country and around the world, collaborate with faculty on research and service projects, and exhibit professional work ethic and behaviors as a PETE student/faculty member.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Ph.D. in Education Science program is designed for individuals seeking careers in education research and prepares individuals who will have careers in research universities, educational research labs and corporations, and research groups within education agencies. It involves a rigorous curriculum, requiring year-round full-time study. The research methods and statistics core includes a minimum of 12 hours, which provides the student with a broad understanding of the field of education and core courses in research methods. Each student is required to take an additional minimum of 3-6 hours of quantitative coursework, minimum of 3-6 hours of qualitative coursework, and minimum of 3 hours of advanced coursework determined by their advisory committee.
PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
Teaching:
Doctoral students typically teach content courses for the undergraduate PETE students, and they shadow the faculty during the methods courses. They may have opportunities to supervise student teachers as well.
Scholarship:
Complete the first year project: During your first year in the program you are expected to complete a first year project. This can be a part of an independent study, a course assignment, or a project the student completes on his/her own. The project will be determined with consultation from the mentor and will result in a publication submission. The project will preferably be research based, but a professional article for JOPERD, Strategies, or other similar journals would be acceptable. First year students are also expected to present this paper or previous work at the doctorate seminar.
During your second year in the program you are expected to complete a research/applied project. The project will be determined with consultation from the mentor. The goal of this project is to provide the student experience including research design, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing, and research presentation. This project will result in a publication submission. Students are expected to present this work at the doctorate seminar. Failure to complete this project may result in the student being placed on probation. This project must be completed prior to the end of the second year of study.
After the written and oral qualifying exams have been successfully completed, the student must present the dissertation prospectus and have it approved by their dissertation committee. The dissertation proposal session may be held at the same session as the oral comprehensive exams if the oral exam portion is successfully completed. When the dissertation proposal has been approved, the student will be advanced to candidacy. The dissertation proposal should have a cover sheet with places for the committee to sign, must include a brief review of the literature, a statement of purpose, and a detailed description of the methods to be used including descriptions of subjects, instruments, and procedures. After the proposal has been approved, the student will undertake the approved dissertation project.
During your second year in the program you are expected to complete a research/applied project. The project will be determined with consultation from the mentor. The goal of this project is to provide the student experience including research design, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing, and research presentation. This project will result in a publication submission. Students are expected to present this work at the doctorate seminar. Failure to complete this project may result in the student being placed on probation. This project must be completed prior to the end of the second year of study.
After the written and oral qualifying exams have been successfully completed, the student must present the dissertation prospectus and have it approved by their dissertation committee. The dissertation proposal session may be held at the same session as the oral comprehensive exams if the oral exam portion is successfully completed. When the dissertation proposal has been approved, the student will be advanced to candidacy. The dissertation proposal should have a cover sheet with places for the committee to sign, must include a brief review of the literature, a statement of purpose, and a detailed description of the methods to be used including descriptions of subjects, instruments, and procedures. After the proposal has been approved, the student will undertake the approved dissertation project.
Service:
Service on state, regional and national committees is highly encouraged.
CORE COURSES
Required Research Methods and Statistics Core:
Advanced Strand (18 hours):
Dissertation and Independent Studies (18+ hours):
- 12 hours of statistical methods to include a minimum of 3 hours of qualitative and 3 hours of quantitative analysis. A total of nine hours must be chosen from either quantitative or qualitative courses.
- Three additional hours of advanced study are to be selected by the advisory committee to meet the specific research and statistical training needs of the student. This grouping is designed to insure fundamental understanding of research methods, quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Additional advanced courses can be taken in discipline specific strands.
Advanced Strand (18 hours):
- KHP 601 - Teaching Effectiveness and Leadership in KHP*
- KHP 602 - Promoting Physical Activity for Youth*
- KHP 677 - Planning Health Promotion Programs*
- Two additional courses in KHP or related area (6+ hours):
- KHP 579 - Adapted Physical Education
- KHP 560 - Motor Development
- EDS 580 - Special Education
- KHP 644 - Research Techniques Applied to Kinesiology and Health Promotion
- KHP 674 - Foundations of Health Promotion
- KHP 675 - Health Assessments
- EPE 672 - College Teaching and Learning
- EPE 684 - Higher Education and Athletics
- EPE 653 - History of Higher Education
- EDC 712 – The Elementary School (Curriculum Theory)
- Other related courses including research courses (6+ hours):
- KHP 695 - Independent Study in KHP*
- KHP 782 - Independent Research in KHP*
Dissertation and Independent Studies (18+ hours):
- KHP 767 - Dissertation Research (2 hrs/semester after passing qualifying exams)*
ADMISSIONS
Preferred/Minimum Requirements:
- A Master’s degree or graduate level professional (e.g. M.D.) degree from a fully accredited institution of higher learning. The Graduate School of the University of Kentucky requires an overall grade point of 3.0 on all prior graduate work and a 2.75 from undergraduate work.
- Students who have not written a Master’s level thesis will be required to submit an example of their research writing. A literature review or project from a completed class are acceptable examples for submission for application.
- Special circumstances will be considered at the discretion of the applicant’s designated potential advisor.
- For the Graduate School, the minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 (paper-based) 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based). The minimum IELTS score is 6.5; Submitted scores must be no more than two years old.
- Four letters of recommendation are required.
**These are preferred requirements but exceptions can be made on an individual basis**
FINANCIAL AIDE AND EMPLOYMENT
Graduate assistants are assigned to regular faculty in teaching, research, administration, or professional service activities. The stipends begin at $12,000 to $17,000 extend for a nine-month period, with out-of-state and/or in-state tuition scholarship included. Additionally a health insurance plan is provided to all graduate assistants. During the period of employment, the graduate assistant is expected to render 20 hours service per week. Responsibilities include teaching in the lifetime fitness program, planning lessons, holding office hours (up to 8 hours a week), and/or other assigned duties. Attendance to at least two TA meetings during the semester is required, as well as participating in mandatory CPR training, all day teaching and safety training by the KHP department and the UK Graduate School GTA orientation. Some TA positions may include working in the Biodynamics Lab or the Exercise Physiology Lab as a laboratory assistant. Graduate Assistant positions are also available through other units on campus. If you are interested in other graduate assistant positions, you should contact the identified individuals directly regarding application procedures.
For more information: http://gradschool.uky.edu/student-funding
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dept. of Kinesiology & Health Promotion
University of Kentucky 100 Seaton Center Lexington, KY 40506-0219 |