Biokinesiology (PhD)

The graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in Biokinesiology is designed to prepare candidates for research and teaching at the university level. Actual programs of study will be designed with a degree of flexibility directed toward individual students who seek to become independent scholars.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet all general admission requirements of the university. Admission requirements include a superior grade point average in cumulative undergraduate and graduate course work (if applicable). In addition, applicants should score at least 150 in each area of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and have some research experience. Students admitted for the Master of Science degree are not automatically admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy program. The Master of Science is not required as a prerequisite to the PhD but may be advised.

Applicants must have a personal interview with the program faculty. A student can be considered for admission only when a member of the full-time PhD faculty has agreed to serve as the student’s PhD adviser. Three letters of recommendation and duplicate transcripts must be sent to the division for preliminary evaluation, although final acceptance is based upon the official USC application procedure.

Prerequisites (PhD Program)

The prerequisite for applicants to the PhD program in biokinesiology is either: (a) a bachelor’s degree or higher with a science major or equivalent; or (b) a bachelor’s or master’s degree in physical therapy with appropriate basic science content. Courses completed at the time of application must include work (with appropriate laboratory study) in chemistry, calculus, physics and biology. Highly recommended is course work in anatomy, physiology, histology, cell biology, exercise physiology, kinesiology, biochemistry, neuroscience, trigonometry, analytical geometry and computer programming.

Candidates should be computer literate. International applicants will be considered upon evaluation of credentials by the USC Office of Admission.

Students deficient in certain prerequisites may be admitted subject to completion of requirements within two years after admission. An additional year may be granted upon review of the student’s program by a faculty committee. Work in any prerequisite subject will not be part of the required 60 units for the Doctor of Philosophy.

Screening Procedure

A screening procedure will be offered twice each year for qualified students. It must be taken prior to the completion of 24 units at the 500-level or higher. The purpose of the screening procedure is to assess the progress of the PhD student and to determine whether that progress is sufficient to continue in the PhD program. Passing the procedure is a prerequisite for continuation in the PhD program.