Ph.D. in Education - Kinesiology: Sports Medicine

Through a collaborative research focus and close mentorships with faculty, the Ph.D. in Sports Medicine program prepares graduates for academic careers in sports medicine. This is a research-based, full-time program that is offered in Charlottesville only.

The Ph.D. program in Sports Medicine is typically completed in 4 years and is designed to prepare graduates for academic careers in athletic training, physical therapy, or other disciplines related to the study of musculoskeletal injuries. The program is research-intensive and includes 2 years of formal course work and 2 years to complete the dissertation. The program has four primary faculty: Jay Hertel, Jacob Resch, Sue Saliba, and Joe Hart. Additionally, there are several other faculty in kinesiology, orthopedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and other units across the University that contribute to the program.

  • Legacy of Leadership

    As UVA's Athletic Training program enters a new era, its leaders are determined to maintain a longstanding reputation of leadership and excellence.

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  • Kinesiology Assistant Professor Jake Resch is conducting innovative research on sport concussions.

  • Athletic Training Ties Run Deep

    Every program director since the program first began in 1975 returned to Grounds to celebrate the beginning of a new era for athletic training at UVA.

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  • UVA graduate student assessing balance prior to and following sport concussion on state-of-the-art equipment.

  • Real-time data export during strength testing using a Biodex multi-mode dynamometer.

  • Athletic trainers use diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound (shown here) to evaluate injuries and to view the musculoskeletal and internal systems in real time.

  • Athletic training faculty member Jay Hertel’s research focuses on the relationships between lower extremity injuries and biomechanical measures during walking and running

Program Details

  • Prerequisites and Admission Requirements

    The GRE is not required for applicants applying to begin in 2021.  Due to test center closures related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic applicants may apply without submitting GRE scores.

    Admission to the PhD program is highly competitive and requires: 1) target GRE scores greater than or equal to 153 quantitative, 151 verbal, and 4.5 writing, and 2) undergraduate and masters GPA >3.0. International applicants must also meet university TOEFL requirements. Preference is typically given to applicants who are certified athletic trainers (ATC) or licensed physical therapists. Applicants must also provide a writing sample (5-10 pages), a goal statement (1-3 pages), and 2 letters of recommendation with at least one from a faculty member.

    Applicants may submit unofficial test scores and transcripts with their application. However, official transcripts showing degree conferral and official test scores (taken within 5 years) are required prior to matriculation.

    Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required materials are submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be read and may be cancelled if left incomplete. Materials should be tracked using the checklist in the application.

  • Application Due Date

    The deadline for applications is December 1. An on-site interview is also required before any offer of admission.

    Decisions will be released by February 15th.

    Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required materials are submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be read and may be cancelled if left incomplete. Materials should be tracked using the checklist in the application.

  • Degree Requirements

    36 didactic credits including:
    KINE 7420       Evidence-Based Sports Medicine
    KINE 8400       Clinical Biomechanics
     

    12 credits of statistics/research design courses
    18 credits of electives

    12 credits of KINE 9998 (Doctoral Research Apprenticeship)
    24 credits of EDHS 9999 (Doctoral Dissertation)

     

    Extensive supervised research experiences are performed under the direction of one of our core Sports Medicine faculty members in their area of research expertise:

     

    Joe Hart, PhD, ATC - muscle inhibition, knee injuries, clinical outcomes in orthopaedic sports medicine

    Jay Hertel, PhD, ATC, FNATA - ankle sprains and instability, gait and postural control, clinical outcomes

    Jake Resch, PhD, ATC - sports-related concussion

    Sue Saliba, PhD, ATC, PT, FNATA - therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise

  • Funding Opportunities

    All PhD students receive an assistantship that provides a full tuition support, annual academic year stipends and/or wages totaling approximately $14,000, and health insurance. Assistantships are renewable for up to 4 years pending successful progress through the program. Assistantships require either clinical, teaching, and/or research responsibilities.

    All PhD students, regardless of what type of assistantship they have, are actively involved in working with students in our post-professional master's program in Athletic Training and whenever possible with teaching in our undergraduate Kinesiology major.

  • Typical Length of Study

    4 years

    Full or Part Time:

    Full time students only.

  • Course Overview

    Fall I:
    KINE 7420 Evidence-Based Sports Medicine
    KINE 8400 Clinical Biomechanics
    Statistics Course
    KINES 9998 Doctoral Research Internship
     

    Spring I:
    Statistics Course
    Elective
    Elective
    KINES 9998 Doctoral Research Internship
     

    Fall II:
    Statistics Course
    Elective
    Elective
    KINES 9998 Doctoral Research Internship
     

    Spring II:
    Statistics Course
    Elective
    Elective
    KINES 9998 Doctoral Research Internship
     

    Fall/Spring III and IV:
    KINE 9998 Doctoral Research Internship

    Fall/Spring III and IV:

    KINE 9999 Doctoral Dissertation

     

    Elective courses are available in a variety of disciplines including Kinesiology, Biomedical Engineering, Public Health Science, Neuroscience, Nursing, and Education, among others.

  • Sample Jobs After Graduation

    Faculty positions in accredited Athletic Training or Physical Therapy programs.

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php.