M.S. in Kinesiology and Physical Education

Gain expertise and career flexibility in exercise science program development and delivery.

Lifelong physical activity is a critical pursuit. It requires experts who can research and implement evidence-based practices for students and clients. Our program prepares you to thrive as a competent, reflective professional in the exercise science and physical education teacher education communities. You'll benefit from outstanding instruction, state-of-the-art equipment and opportunities to engage with faculty on research projects, grant writing and community outreach.

Get an Early Start on Graduate Study

Our accelerated program allows you to take graduate-level courses while an undergraduate, saving you time and resources.

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At a Glance

30 credit hours

In person

Full or part time

Start in the fall semester

Choose Your Specialization

Exercise Physiology

This specialization prepares you for roles related to exercise physiology, including research, teaching and applied/practical/laboratory positions in hospitals, corporations and health clubs. Applied exercise physiology and a human anatomy and physiology course are prerequisites for this specialization.

Physical Education Pedagogy

With knowledge and experience in instructional strategies, supervision, program development and the use of technology/assessment in educational settings, you’ll be prepared for leadership roles in pedagogy and curriculum development in physical education and related fields. You can also pursue our graduate certificate in adapted physical education.

Sport and Exercise Psychology

Using a scientist-practitioner approach to addressing the psychological needs of participants in performance settings, we prepare students for careers in athletic coaching, private practice, military resilience training, athletic academic advising, college and professional sports and sports academies. Students can also gain the educational and practical experience needed to apply for the CMPC credential and to doctoral programs in sport, exercise and performance psychology.

How did the faculty and mentorship shape your development?

“Dr. Jacobs, Dr. Henert and Dr. Howell made it a point to have regular check-ins about my coursework, career aspirations and how I was doing personally. Each professor was readily available to discuss recent internship scenarios, CMPC pursuit, applying academic concepts to real cases and more. I feel that their accommodating nature and expertise made NIU a terrific place to begin my career in this field.”
Aaron Barnett, M.S. ’22, CMPC, Mental Conditioning Coach, New York Yankees

How did this program prepare you for your career in sport and exercise psychology (or your current field)?

“This program helped me develop the applied skills and get the CMPC certification that have allowed me to work with athletes across various levels of sport from the youth level to the Olympic level. Having the opportunity to intern and consult with NIU Athletics gave me a great environment to apply the skills I learned in the classroom and have confidence in my abilities prior to graduating.”
Kevin Barton, B.S. ’18, M.S.Ed. ’20, M.S.Ed. ‘22, LPC, CMPC, Athlete Mental Health Therapist, Advanced Behavioral Health Services

What made you choose this M.S. program in Sport and Exercise Psychology?

“When I visited campus and met my advisor, Dr. Jenn Jacobs, I felt an immediate sense of support. She respected my decision-making process and made it clear she’d be in my corner throughout the program and beyond, and she absolutely followed through on that. I also appreciated that NIU offered both research and applied tracks, giving me the freedom to decide what direction made the most sense for me.”
Jenny Hennig, M.S.Ed. ’19, Performance Expert, SRI

Can you share an example of how your degree gave you a competitive edge?

“Before even finishing my degree, I was able to use my graduate experience to acquire a job as a golf coach. Even though I had no prior professional golf experience or expertise, my employer was so interested in me as a sport psychologist-in-training that he offered me a job.”
Sam Herzog, M.S.Ed.’22, CMPC, Sport Psychology Consultant, Grounded Sport and Performance Psychology, Whitney Counseling and Cornerstone University

What hands-on opportunities (research, applied work, conferences) stood out most to you?

“Project FLEX drew me to the degree program as the world-class standard for positive youth development programs for incarcerated youth. Presenting at conferences and leading workshops also stretched me; clear communication, real-time problem solving and learning how to translate theory into action have helped me become a successful practitioner.”
Timothy Mahoney, B.A. ’20, M.S. 23, Mental Performance Consultant, Founder, Paragon Mental Performance Consulting, LLC

What was the biggest lesson you took away from your graduate experience?

“This program taught me how to carve out my space in a growing field by learning how to creatively apply knowledge to different contexts of performance. It also helped me become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant!”
Izaiah Webb, M.S.Ed. ’22, M.S.Ed. ’24, CMPC, Clinician at Adventure Works, Track Coach at DeKalb High School

What hands-on opportunities (research, applied work, conferences) stood out most to you?

“Project FLEX drew me to the degree program as the world-class standard for positive youth development programs for incarcerated youth. Presenting at conferences and leading workshops also stretched me; clear communication, real-time problem solving and learning how to translate theory into action have helped me become a successful practitioner.”
Brittany Williams, M.S.Ed. ’20, Leadership and Character Development Coach/ Mental Performance Consultant, IMG Academy/ B-mindful Consulting LLC

Career Outlook for M.S. in Kinesiology and Physical Education

Average mid-career salary for alumni:

Top job titles for alumni:

Top employers for alumni:

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How to Apply

You’ll apply through the Graduate School.

Fall application deadline: July 15 (May 1 for international applicants)
Spring deadline: Dec. 10 (Oct. 1 for international applicants)
Summer deadline: June 1

Application Materials

You'll need:

A bachelor's degree (including transcripts) from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher which included courses in kinesiology, physical education, exercise sport psychology, health, recreation, dance, or equivalent.
Two letters of recommendation.
Personal statement of purpose for graduate admission.

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Costs and Funding

Our competitive tuition and fees helps ensure an excellent return on the investment of your time and resources. Learn about additional funding opportunities for graduate students.

Assistantships

Many NIU graduate students have an assistantship, which provides financial support (typically a tuition waiver and stipend), as well as career preparation. Please email KNPEGRAD@niu.edu for more information regarding the assistantship application process.

Curriculum and Requirements

You can write a thesis as part of your coursework or choose the non-thesis option.

View Coursework and Program Requirements

Learning Outcomes

During your program of study, you will:

Utilize oral communication to effectively communicate their knowledge to fellow professionals and lay-persons.
Utilize written communication to effectively communicate their knowledge to fellow professionals and lay-persons.
Utilize technology effectively and appropriately as required in their area of specialization.
Utilize critical thinking skills to analyze, synthesize and evaluate relevant material within their area of specialization.

Real-world Learning

To further blend the classroom and the "real-world," the College of Education’s Educate and Engage series provides opportunities for students to engage in local, national and international experiences.
Graduate assistantships are available if you want to study full-time and gain pre-professional experience.

Points of Pride

We boast a strong international presence and enjoy research collaborations, workshops and exchanges with countries such as Belize, Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden and Turkey.
Our programs are accredited to ensure the highest level of education. We are accredited by, or are a member of, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Education Recognition Program and the American Kinesiology Association.

Faculty

Our faculty bring diverse experiences, backgrounds, scholarship and expertise in kinesiology and physical education. They’re committed to facilitating engaging learning experiences in and outside the classroom.

More About Our Faculty

Academic Programs