East Tennessee State University

Program Information

Degree Offered

Doctor of Philosophy in Sport Physiology and Performance

Format: Campus

Program Description:

ETSU Establishes a New and Unique Ph.D. program:
Sport Physiology and Sport Performance

PURPOSE (Goals and Objectives): This doctoral program is designed to produce leaders in sport science research and research-driven coach education. Specific objectives for the program are to:
• Produce transformational sport science research and coach education/research;
• Produce pioneering research applied to coaching;
• Provide a background of knowledge of sport physiology that translates into quality coaching;
• Advocate for using a scientific approach to address issues surrounding athletics performance;
• Emphasize that a coach's primary responsibilities are for an athlete's well-being and achievement—becoming the best that he or she can be;
• Reorganize perceptions to understand that research is a part of coaching; and
• Elevate the academic status of coaches in the educated community.
IMPACT: This Ph.D. program is ground-breaking and distinctive in the US and will impact education and research for two professions: sport scientists and coaches. ETSU expects that this program will contribute to national interest and awareness of the need to academically educate sport scientists and coaches and to target athletic performance rather than participation. This single refocus is expected to lower the incident of sport injuries and increase levels of performance achievement for athletes, thereby supporting sport through research and education.
The doctoral program is integrated with the ETSU Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education (CESSCE). The students will have the opportunity to be involved in clinics for coaches, continuing education programs, and activities that perm

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Payment of required nonrefundable application fee;
2. Completed application form;
3. One official transcript from each undergraduate or graduate institution
attended, except previous coursework taken at ETSU;
4. Vita or resume;
5. Personal essay explaining career and educational goals and general area
of interest for the dissertation;
6. Official scores on the general test of the Graduate Record Examination
(GRE);
7. Four letters of recommendation with at least two from former college
instructors;
8. A master’s degree (thesis preferred) or bachelor’s degree (strong research
component) in biology, Exercise Science, or related discipline from an
accredited university. It is recommended that entering students have an
undergraduate background in statistics, general chemistry, general
biology, human anatomy and physiology. Students admitted with a B.S.
or M.S. degree are expected to meet all doctoral requirements, including
course prerequisites or equivalencies.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: No

Classification: Doctoral/Research Universities - Intensive

Institution Sector: Public

Locale: Small City

Size & Settings: 10,000 - 19,999