Health and Kinesiology 4+1 combined BS/MS program

Department of Health and Kinesiology

Current Purdue undergraduate students with the goal of earning a master’s degree in health and kinesiology can pursue an accelerated, combined BS in kinesiology/MS in health and kinesiology through the College of Health and Human Sciences. You can select from multiple concentrations to tailor your graduate experience.

You can apply for the 4+1 program in your junior year and begin graduate coursework in your senior year (see eligibility requirements). Once you have enrolled in this specialized track, you may take up to 12 combined credits during your senior year. Combined credits are counted for both the BS and MS degree programs. This allows 4+1 students to earn master’s-level credits while maintaining the same baccalaureate graduation timeline. This accelerated option can potentially eliminate one year of tuition costs and allow you to have an additional year in the workforce or complete your master’s degree prior to continuing to a PhD program, medical school, physician assistant (PA) school, physical therapy (PT) school, occupational therapy (OT) school, or other professional training.

Concentration Options

Biomechanics, motor control and motor development

Overview:

Biomechanics is the study of movement from a mechanical perspective — including cellular mechanics, muscle behavior, locomotion, reaching and prehension. Motor control investigates the natural laws that describe how the central nervous system interacts with the body and environment to produce coordinated, purposeful movement. Finally, motor development studies the emergence of motor ability in infants and how it co-evolves alongside perceptual abilities.

Combined, these three areas allow researchers in Purdue University’s biomechanics, motor control and motor development graduate program to explore motor behavior and innovative solutions to improve quality of life through both experimental and modeling techniques.

Faculty:

Learn more about the biomechanics, motor control and motor development concentration.

Clinical exercise physiology

Overview:

The clinical exercise physiology program is an innovative graduate program designed for students seeking advanced training in clinical exercise physiology while also developing the interpersonal and behavioral skills necessary to become board-certified health and wellness coaches. The curriculum blends rigorous clinical science with applied coaching strategies to prepare graduates for dual roles in health care, rehabilitation and preventive wellness. Students will engage in coursework across exercise physiology, pathophysiology, chronic disease management, clinical assessments and exercise testing, exercise prescription, motivational interviewing, and coaching psychology. The program also includes supervised practicum experiences in diverse clinical and wellness settings, providing hands-on application of both clinical and coaching competencies.

Faculty/Lecturer:

Program link coming soon.

Exercise physiology

Overview:

The exercise physiology graduate program at Purdue University focuses on understanding how exercise affects health throughout the life span. Faculty in the program also investigate the effect of various therapeutic strategies to improve overall health and well-being.

Faculty:

Learn more about the exercise physiology concentration.

Exercise psychology

Overview:

Exercise psychology is the study of psychological factors and theories related to physical activity and exercise. The program is theory-driven and informed by research across epidemiology, health psychology, kinesiology and public health. The exercise psychology program aims to design effective interventions and evidence-based programs to help people of all ages adopt and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. It aims to understand why interventions work or do not work, identify intervention components that work best, and determine for whom interventions work best.

Faculty:

Learn more about the exercise psychology concentration.

Sport management

Overview:

The sport industry is complex, requiring knowledge in various academic fields. The Purdue University Master of Science in Sport Management is an interdisciplinary program offered by the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Courses are taught at both the Indianapolis and West Lafayette Purdue University locations. You will select electives from business, science, technology, communication and other disciplines that match your interests. Required hands-on learning opportunities are facilitated through partnerships with Purdue Athletics, Indiana Sports Corporation and other industry leaders.

Faculty:

Learn more about the sport management concentration.

Sample Courses

General Requirements:
Credit hours: 30-33 credits
- Nine credits of research tools (research methods, statistics, etc.)
- Thesis option: 6 credits of thesis research (HK 63800)
- Non-thesis option: 3 credits individual study (HK 60000)

Eligibility and Application

Apply in junior year (fifth or sixth semester)
GPA ≥ 3.0
90 credits completed (senior status) by start of program
On track to graduate from your baccalaureate program by the end of the spring term of your senior year
C+ or better in all prerequisite courses
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 20300 and 20400 or similar)
- Introductory Chemistry (CHM 11100 or similar)
- Introductory Physics (PHYS 22000 or similar)
- Introductory Psychology (PSY 12000 or similar)
- Statistics (STAT 30100 or similar)
- Exercise Physiology (HK 36800 or similar)
- Biomechanics or Kinesiology (HK 26300 or similar)

Application requirements
- Personal statement, three letters of recommendation, faculty interview and GS Form-27.
- Identify a faculty mentor and area of specialization before applying (faculty mentor will be within the area of specialization).

Why Choose a 4+1?

Accelerated timeline to a graduate degree
Competitive edge for clinical, research or professional school pathways
Reduced financial burden and streamlined academic planning
Deepened expertise in your chosen area of health and kinesiology