Graduate Studies FAQ
About Our Graduate Programs
My undergraduate major was not in Kinesiology, but I am very interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Kinesiology. What should I do? Each student's situation will be assessed, and advice will be given based on undergraduate degree, experience, and interests within our School. Sometimes we ask students to take specific courses to help them attain the level of knowledge we would expect to ensure successful completion of our program.
Does the University of Michigan offer distance learning for the graduate program? No, we do not offer distance learning for any of our graduate programs.
Can I transfer credits toward my program? Once you have been admitted, you can petition to transfer up to 6 credits toward your degree. All transfer credits must be approved by the graduate chair.
Is a master's thesis required? The master's thesis is an option and is not required. However, if you intend to go on for your Ph.D., it is strongly recommended.
What is the difference between Rackham Graduate School and the School of Kinesiology? The School of Kinesiology is free-standing, one of the 19 schools and colleges at U of M. Our graduate program is co-administered by the Rackham Graduate School. Rackham oversees the requirements and procedures and certifies the admission recommendation as appropriate.
Do you have an athletic training program? We do not have a Master's level Athletic Training Program. It is common for those interested in Athletic Training to pursue studies in the areas of Biomechanics or Exercise Physiology within our program. The next opening for the AT graduate assistantship position will be for Fall 2008. For further information about this assistantship, please contact Philip Johnson.
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The Application Process
How do I apply? Please refer to the Application Checklist page for complete application requirements.
What is your application deadline? January 15 for the following Fall if you want to be considered for funding. While we have a rolling admissions policy, please keep in mind that the Graduate Committee (which makes the decisions on admissions) does not meet in July and August. PLEASE NOTE: Applications received after May 1 will not receive consideration until the following year.
Who should write my letters of recommendation? Our Graduate Committee likes to see at least 3 letters. At least two of those should come from faculty who have worked closely with you in an academic context. Letters should be recently written.
What should be included in my Statement of Purpose? The Statement of Purpose should be 1-2 pages and consist of a clear message telling us about your background, why you want to join our program and what you expect to do with your degree here. It is important that we understand your goals and how you see our program helping you reach them.
Suggestions:
- Be clear and specific about what you want to do with your degree from the University of Michigan.
- Use the number of pages you need, but aim for 2 pages. We want to read about your accomplishments and goals.
What should be in my Personal Statement? The Personal Statement should state how your background and life experiences — including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges — motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan.
For example, if you grew up in a community where educational, cultural, or other opportunities were either especially plentiful or especially lacking, you might discuss the impact this had on your development and interests. This should be a discussion of the journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree. (500 word limit). Please do not repeat your Academic Statement of Purpose.
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Helpful Hints When Applying to Graduate School:
- Read the application directions carefully and don't forget to "cross your T's and dot your I's."
- Become more than an applicant on a piece of paper -- take the time to contact faculty and introduce yourself. Find a faculty member with the same academic interests as yours, and, if possible, meet with him or her or with current graduate students.
- Make sure the program you are applying for will meet your academic interests.
- Write a clear Statement of Purpose that communicates what you want to do with your degree here.
- Find out how much your education will cost and how you intend to pay for it. If you are hoping for an assistantship of some sort, find out 1) how many are available for your interest area, and 2) the criteria for receiving the award.
Minimum Requirements:
What are the minimum academic requirements? Recommended requirements for GRE scores are 600 Verbal, 650 Quantitative, and 4.5 Analytical Writing. We also prefer at least a 3.4 GPA. Please keep in mind that your entire application package is taken into consideration.
Do you have minimum requirements for the TOEFL test scores? Yes, written TOEFL should be at least 560. Computer TOEFL should be at least 220.
Are there prerequisite courses? We do not have prerequisite courses. From time to time we have students whose undergraduate studies were not related to Kinesiology, and we ask them to take some specific classes to help them attain the level of knowledge necessary to ensure successful completion of our program.
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Tuition and Assistance
How much does it cost to go to The University of Michigan? These are estimated YEARLY costs for two semesters to assist you in planning your own budget:
| eff. Fall 2009 |
| |
Tuition & Fees |
Room & Board |
Books, Supplies |
Personal, Misc. |
Total Yearly Budget |
| In-State |
$17,525 |
$11,762 |
$1192 |
$4092 |
$34,571 |
| Out-of-State & Foreign |
$35,183 |
$11,762 |
$1192 |
$4092 |
$52,229 |
Are assistantships available? Yes, we have GSI assistantships available for doctoral students. The School of Kinesiology does not have financial aid forms. Here are links for other sources of funding at the University:
http://www.finaid.umich.edu/
http://www.rackham.umich.edu/Fellowships/sources.html
How do I go about applying for the Kinesiology GSI Assistantship? All Ph.D. applicants are considered for our open GSI positions. The number of open positions we have varies from year to year. Please make sure we have your completed application by January 15 prior to the fall you will be beginning your program. Your current vitae is helpful, too. Please note: doctoral applicatnts must have a mentor from our graduate faculty prior to being accepted to our program.
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Establishing Ties
Should I come and visit? How do I go about it? Visiting U-M and the School of Kinesiology is a good idea so you can get a feel for the faculty and students as well as the Ann Arbor area. From our end it helps match a face with a file. Please feel free to contact faculty you want to meet with directly. Also, it is a good idea to let Charlene Ruloff (kingradcomm@umich.edu) know when you are coming and whether you want to meet with current graduate students.
What if I don't have a mentor for my Ph.D. studies? Unfortunately, we cannot admit you without a mentor. It is your responsibility to seek out a mentor with whom you wish to conduct research as you pursue your degree here. If you have not sought out one of our faculty members, please refer to their research interests on the web and contact the faculty member directly. Describe yourself and your research interests. If possible, make arrangements to communicate with interested faculty via telephone or in person.
Can I switch my academic advisor after I've begun my studies? Yes, you can change your academic advisor at the Master's level. However, it is uncommon to change your Ph.D. mentor.
How can I find a place to live? Previous graduate students have found this link helpful:
http://www.housing.umich.edu/general/
If your question isn't answered on this page, send us your request for information using our on-line form.
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Links
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