Kinesiology

Program Overview

The field of kinesiology is interdisciplinary. All degree programs are for students interested in research, academic, and professional careers relating to:​

  • Applied/exercise/environmental ph​ysiology
  • Biomechanics and ergonomics
  • Health-care provision as a kinesiologist
  • Metabolic and endocrinological aspects of physical activity
  • Motor control and motor learning
  • Muscle physiology
  • Physical cultural aspects of sport and physical activity
  • Physical fitness and athletic strength and conditioning
  • Psychological aspects of sport and physical activity
  • Psychophysiological aspects of exercise and stress
  • Women’s health and physical activity.

The graduate unit and degree program in Kinesiology were formerly known as Exercise Sciences.


Quick Facts

Domestic International
Application deadline PhD:

Fall 2024 entry

12-Jan-2024

MA, MSc:

Fall 2024 entry

01-Feb-2024

PhD:

Fall 2024 entry

12-Jan-2024

MA, MSc:

Fall 2024 entry

01-Feb-2024

Minimum admission average PhD:

A-

MA, MSc:

B+

PhD:

A-

MA, MSc:

B+

Direct entry option from bachelor's to PhD? PhD:

Yes

PhD:

Yes

Is a supervisor identified before or after admission? MA, MSc, PhD:

Before

MA, MSc, PhD:

Before

Is a supervisor assigned by the graduate unit or secured by the applicant? MA, MSc, PhD:

Applicant

MA, MSc, PhD:

Applicant

Are any standardized tests required/recommended? MA, MSc, PhD:

N/A

MA, MSc, PhD:

N/A


Master of Arts

Program Description

The purpose of the Master of Arts is to provide advanced-level education and research training in social sciences and humanities within the field of kinesiology. The MA program is intended to broaden students' understanding of the various aspects of kinesiology from a social sciences and/or humanities disciplinary perspective, as well as to provide them with the necessary scholarly and technical research skills so that they may pursue a high-quality research project. Applicants interested in the MSc in Kinesiology should refer to the MSc program section.

The MA program can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Kinesiology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from the University of Toronto or from another recognized university.

  • A background in kinesiology or a discipline compatible with the research interests and interdisciplinary nature of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education is preferred.

  • An academic standing equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ (76% to 79%) in the last five full-course equivalents of relevant, senior-level courses.

  • Proficiency in the English language must be demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English and who graduate from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English. The Faculty prefers the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • paper-based test: 600 with 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE) and 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE)

    • Internet-based test: 100/120 overall and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Successful completion of 2.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows. All courses must be approved in advance by the student's supervisor and the Graduate Department of Kinesiology.

    • 1.0 FCE in Kinesiology category A courses

    • 0.5 FCE in Methods or Methodology

    • 1.0 FCE in other courses

  • SRM3335H+, a graduate seminar in Kinesiology (0.0 FCE).

  • A thesis proposal written under the supervision of a thesis committee and its oral defence before an examination committee.

  • A thesis written under the supervision of a thesis committee and its oral defence before an examination committee.

  • The student's annual program plan must be approved by the supervisor.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S);
12 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

Master of Science

Program Description

The MSc program is intended to broaden students' understanding of the various interdisciplinary aspects of kinesiology as well as to provide them with the necessary scholarly and technical research skills so that they may pursue a high-quality research project.

The MSc program can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Kinesiology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from the University of Toronto or from another recognized university.

  • A background in kinesiology or a discipline compatible with the research interests and interdisciplinary nature of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education is preferred.

  • An academic standing equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ (76% to 79%) in the last five full-course equivalents of relevant, senior-level courses.

  • Proficiency in the English language must be demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English and who graduate from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English. The Faculty prefers the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • paper-based test: 600 with 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE) and 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE)

    • Internet-based test: 100/120 overall and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Successful completion of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows. All courses must be approved in advance by the student's supervisor and the Graduate Department of Kinesiology.

    • 0.5 FCE in Kinesiology Category C course

    • 0.5 FCE Statistics or Methodology course

    • 1.0 FCE from either Kinesiology or another department

  • SRM3335H+, a graduate seminar in Kinesiology (0.0 FCE).

  • A thesis proposal written under the supervision of a thesis committee and its oral defence before an examination committee.

  • A thesis written under the supervision of a thesis committee and its oral defence before an examination committee.

  • The student's annual program plan must be approved by the supervisor.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S);
12 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

Doctoral students are encouraged to develop a program of study that will enhance their basic understanding of critical areas of study within kinesiology and have a direct impact on their research program. Students are also expected to further develop their scholarly and technical research skills so that they may pursue a high-quality research project.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an MSc degree; or 2) direct entry following completion of a BA, BSc, or BKin degree.

The PhD program can be taken on a full-time or flexible-time basis.

 

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Kinesiology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • A master's degree from the University of Toronto or a recognized university. Formal graduate training in kinesiology is preferred.

  • Successful defence of a master's thesis at a recognized university.

  • An academic standing equivalent to a University of Toronto A– (80% to 84%) in the master's degree completed.

  • A potential supervisor identified from the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. A supervisor is not required at the time of application, but applicants are encouraged to begin their search early. See the full list of faculty members. Only applicants who have a supervisor will be admitted to the program.

  • Proficiency in the English language must be demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English. The Faculty prefers the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • paper-based test: 600 with 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE) and 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE)

    • Internet-based test: 100/120 overall and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

Program Requirements

  • Full-time registration (Fall, Spring, Summer sessions) throughout the entire doctoral program.

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 1.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 1.0 FCE from either Kinesiology or another department

    • 0.5 FCE Statistics or Methodology course

  • SRD4445H+, a graduate seminar in Kinesiology (0.0 FCE).

  • All courses must be approved in advance by the student's supervisor.

  • The student's annual program plan must be approved by the supervisor.

  • Successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

  • Writing of a thesis under the supervision of a thesis committee (supervisor plus at least three additional faculty members) and its defence before an examination committee appointed by the Graduate Department of Kinesiology.

  • Oral defence of the thesis before an examination committee approved by the School of Graduate Studies.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Kinesiology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate Bachelor of Kinesiology degree or its equivalent from the University of Toronto or from another recognized university.

  • A background in kinesiology or a discipline compatible with the research interests and interdisciplinary nature of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education is preferred.

  • An academic standing equivalent to a University of Toronto A– (80% to 84%) in the last five full-course equivalents of relevant, senior-level courses.

  • A potential supervisor identified from the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. A supervisor is not required at the time of application, but applicants are encouraged to begin their search early. See the full list of faculty members. Only applicants who have a supervisor will be admitted to the program.

  • Proficiency in the English language must be demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English. The Faculty prefers the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • paper-based test: 600 with 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE) and 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE)

    • Internet-based test: 100/120 overall and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

Program Requirements

  • Full-time registration (Fall, Spring, Summer sessions) throughout the entire doctoral program.

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 2.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows. All courses must be approved in advance by the student's supervisor.

    • 2.0 FCEs from either Kinesiology or another department

    • 0.5 FCE Statistics or Methodology course

  • SRD4445H+, a graduate seminar in Kinesiology (0.0 FCE).

  • All courses must be approved in advance by the student's supervisor.

  • The student's annual program plan must be approved by the supervisor.

  • Successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

  • Writing of a thesis under the supervision of a thesis committee (supervisor plus at least three additional faculty members) and its defence before an examination committee appointed by the Graduate Department of Kinesiology.

  • Oral defence of the thesis before an examination committee approved by the School of Graduate Studies.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

 

PhD Program (Flexible-Time)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Kinesiology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • A master's degree from the University of Toronto or a recognized university. Formal graduate training in kinesiology is preferred.

  • Successful defence of a master’s thesis at a recognized university.

  • An academic standing equivalent to a University of Toronto A– (80% to 84%) in the master's degree completed.

  • A potential supervisor identified from the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. A supervisor is not required at the time of application, but applicants are encouraged to begin their search early. See the full list of faculty members. Only applicants who have a supervisor will be admitted to the program.

  • Proficiency in the English language must be demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English. The Faculty prefers the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • paper-based test: 600 with 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE) and 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE)

    • Internet-based test: 100/120 overall and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

Program Requirements

  • With the approval of the Director, Graduate Studies, some applicants may be admitted to a flexible-time PhD program. This program will benefit mature students with career and/or familial obligations.

  • Degree requirements for the flexible-time program are identical to those listed above for the full-time PhD program; however, students have up to eight years to complete the program.

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 1.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 1.0 FCE from either Kinesiology or another department

    • 0.5 FCE Statistics or Methodology course

  • SRD4445H+, a graduate seminar in Kinesiology (0.0 FCE).

  • All courses must be approved in advance by the student's supervisor.

  • The student's annual program plan must be approved by the supervisor.

  • Successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

  • Writing of a thesis under the supervision of a thesis committee (supervisor plus at least three additional faculty members) and its defence before an examination committee appointed by the Graduate Department of Kinesiology.

  • Oral defence of the thesis before an examination committee approved by the School of Graduate Studies.

  • Flexible-time students must register full-time for the first four years of the program. Thereafter, they may register part-time.

  • A plan of study and research activities will be negotiated at initial registration, to be reviewed and updated annually.

Program Length

6 years

Time Limit

8 years

+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.