Welcome to the Department of Kinesiology Graduate Program!
The M.S. in Kinesiology degree for each of our five specializations consists of 30
units.
Our rapidly growing program currently has students with varied interests, backgrounds,
and goals.
Our alumni have successfully obtained jobs across the Bay Area, the state of California,
the United States, and abroad. In addition, the program has placed several students
in top-tier doctoral programs across the US.
Students are selected to the program based on undergraduate academic achievement and
overall potential for success in the program, and in one of the following Graduate
Specializations listed below.
If you are interested in our program, application information can be found here!
Note: When searching for the MS in Kinesiology program at SJSU in the Cal State Apply system,
use the search term Kinesiology and scroll down to San Jose Graduate. Select this program for all M.S. in Kinesiology specializations including:
The newly re-developed M.S. Degree in Kinesiology consists of 30 units. Students may
choose one of five different specializations to guide their program of study. The specializations include:
Exercise Physiology
Movement Science
Sport Management
Psychosocial Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity
General (No Specialization-Specific Coursework Required)
Graduate Concentrations (For students enrolled before Spring 2023)
Applications for Spring 2025 will be open through the Cal State Apply website (https://www2.calstate.edu/apply) in early August. Application deadlines are as follows:
International: October 1st (all documents due October 20th)
Domestic: November 1st (all documents due November 20th)
Fall 2025 Graduate Admissions
Applications for Fall 2025 will open through the Cal State Apply website (https://www2.calstate.edu/apply) in early October. Application deadlines are as follows:
International: March 1st (all documents due March 20th)
Domestic: Extended to June 1st (all documents due June 20th)
Because we can only admit a certain number of students into each specialization, we
strongly recommend that application materials be sent in earlier than the deadline.
The application process is outlined on this webpage, and on the linked SJSU Graduate
Studies page as well. Once all materials are in, your application will be evaluated
by Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations (GAPE). In approximately 2-3 weeks,
they will be forwarded in the system to the KIN grad coordinator for evaluation, after
which you will be notified of your status via MySJSU and mail. Please consult your
MySJSU account regularly to check on the status of your application.
Fall 2025 admitted students must accept their admission if they plan to enroll by
(1) saying ‘yes’ through Intent to Enroll and (2) paying a $200 non refundable (and
non transferable) enrollment deposit by June 1, 2025 in order to register for Fall 2025 classes. The $200 enrollment deposit will be applied
towards your tuition and fees once you enroll in Fall 2025 classes. For more information
visit the Mandatory Intent to Enroll webpage on the Graduate Admissions website.
Additional Notes
Your letters of recommendation must be submitted via CalStateApply, and not sent to the KIN graduate coordinator.
As of 2019, the KIN graduate program no longer requires the GRE.
The Department of Kinesiology no longer offers a Grad Athletic Training Program.
Please see the rest of this website for additional general information. In addition,
please download and consult the Department of Kinesiology Graduate Handbook, which
contains information related to the department and program. It should be your first
stop when seeking an answer to any program question you may have. If you have questions
about the application process, Cal State Apply, or other admissions related questions
please contact grad-admissions@sjsu.edu. For additional questions, please send inquiries to the KIN graduate coordinator,
Dr. Cole Armstrong, cole.armstrong@sjsu.edu.
Current Admission Standards and Requirements
The Department of Kinesiology requires the following of all applicants seeking admission
to classified standing in the Master of Science in Kinesiology degree program in addition
to meeting requirements for admission to the Graduate Division:
A baccalaureate degree with a major or minor in Kinesiology or successful completion
of a maximum of 12 units of foundation coursework as assigned by the Graduate Coordinator
or an assigned Academic Advisor. Foundation units can be completed alongisde graduate
coursework. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with undergraduate
degrees outside Kinesiology.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 semester units (or 90 quarter
units) of work. Grade point averages of 2.75 and above will receive consideration.
A fully completed Cal State Apply application.
Statement of Purpose. In your statement you may choose to discuss in approximately
one page:
Why you are interested in the M.S. in Kinesiology at SJSU.
How your experiences have prepared you to complete the M.S. in Kinesiology at SJSU.
Your academic and professional goals.
How the M.S. in Kinesiology at SJSU will help you achieve your goals.
Other information which may help to explain your uniqueness as an applicant.
Two letters of recommendation (Upload into Cal State Apply during application process
OR send directly to the graduate coordinator).
It is recommended that at least one reference letter come from a former or current
professor/instructor who can speak to your ability to succeed in graduate school.
The graduate coordinator, in consultation with faculty, may approve conditional admission of a student who: meets the requirements for admission
to the Graduate Division who has neither a major nor minor in Kinesiology; has a grade
point average below 3.0 in the last 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units).
Thank you for your interest in the SJSU Department of Kinesiology Graduate Program,
and best wishes in your journey towards your graduate degree. If there is anything
you need, please do not hesitate to contact the current graduate coordinator, Dr.
Cole Armstrong, at: cole.armstrong@sjsu.edu.
Tips for Success
Upon finalizing your decision to study at San Jose State University in the Department
of Kinesiology, make an appointment to speak to the Graduate Program Coordinator for an orientation to the department.
Stay in Touch with your Academic Advisor.
Students should select a faculty member to serve as their academic advisor. While
it is recommended that the academic advisor be the person who will eventually be the
thesis-KIN 299 or Plan B-KIN 298 advisor, it is not required. The academic advisor
is the faculty member you consult throughout your studies regarding selection of your
coursework and progression towards the Master of Science degree. An inital academic
advisor will be listed in your acceptance letter, though this may later change due
to fit, advisor availability, or other reasons. If unsure of your intial academic
advisor, contact the graduate program coordinator.
Obtain (via link at top of page) and use the Graduate Program Handbook as a resource.
Refer to it frequently.
Check for messages at MySJSU regularly. Notices from the university are posted there
pertaining to your enrollment and progress to your degree.
Regularly check the websites of the office of Graduate Studies and Graduate Admissions
and Program Evaluation for deadlines, including when to file your candidacy form and application for graduation!
