Ph.D. in Kinesiology: Emphasis in Motor Neuroscience
Our Motor Neuroscience doctoral program prepares students for teaching and research careers in motor behavior.
Laboratories support the motor behavior programs with emphases in Motor Control, Motor Learning and Child Movement. These laboratories provide the most modern facilities and use technologies that allow online data collection and processing, sophisticated presentation of auditory and visual stimuli and the opportunity to use human and animal research models. In addition to work conducted in the laboratories, supplemental experiences are available in:
- Electrical engineering (robotics),
- Computer science (artificial intelligence),
- Industrial engineering (human factors) and
- Psychology.
The Ph.D. in Motor Neuroscience trains students for post-doctoral appointments and positions in universities, industry, the military, and research institutes. Our program is experimentally oriented and is specifically designed to provide students with a thorough foundation in the theoretical processes that assist the performance and learning of perceptual-motor skills. We offer emphases in motor learning, motor control, and motor development are offered. Specific areas of research correspond to those listed for the motor behavior faculty.
A member of the graduate faculty to be admitted must accept students. Students must contact the faculty member directly.
Admissions
We will only review complete applications. A complete application includes:
- Graduate CAS application
- Transcripts from all institutions of higher education that you have attended
- Three letters of recommendation (at least one must be from a prior professor who can attest to your academic abilities)
- Statement of purpose
- Your current resume
Program Details
Degree: Ph.D. in Kinesiology
Emphasis: Motor Neuroscience
Credit Hours: 67 hours
Delivery: Traditional
Student Testimonial
Austin McCulloch, Doctoral Student in Kinesiology – Motor Neuroscience
The motor neuroscience program offers hands-on research opportunities the very first semester you arrive on campus. As you progress through your coursework, you are able to bridge knowledge gained in the classroom as you test and apply theories in experimental settings. These experiences help to cultivate your own research interests as you establish yourself as an independent researcher.
Texas A&M University is known for its excellence and dedication to research. The top reason I chose this program is because of the opportunities which are provided to graduate students. The availability of research funding and hand-on laboratory experience coupled with quality mentors and professors amongst the best in the field are invaluable for a student looking to grow and establish their own research interests.
Resources
Resources
Research Experience Requirement
Prior to scheduling the dissertation proposal meeting, each student will:
- Have presented, as sole or first author, at least one presentation at a state, regional, or national conference; and
- Will be an author on at least one research paper submitted to a peer-reviewed national or international journal.
In addition, dissertations will not be signed by the department head until the student has submitted as first author a manuscript (or manuscripts) of the study to a national or international refereed journal (or journals).
Minimum Hour Requirement
The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 67 hours beyond a master’s or 96 hours beyond a baccalaureate degree.
Depending on the preparation and experience, doctoral students may be required to complete undergraduate or graduate leveling work in addition to the minimum Ph.D. requirements.
Suggested Prerequisites or Competency
Refer to the Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog for the content of the courses listed below. Competency in the content of the course is required rather than the specific course. KNSM’s Office of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the graduate committee chair or temporary advisor, will be happy to review transcripts of potential graduate students.
Advisors
Faculty
The Division of Kinesiology faculty prepare students as leaders and innovators in careers in the public education forum and exercise science.
View Division of Kinesiology facultyFrequently Asked Questions
Doctoral
I still have further questions—who can I contact to help me answer those?
Please feel free to contact knsm-grad@tamu.edu for more specific information.
Will there be any scholarship opportunities?
The Health Education Division provides competitive GA’s positions ($1700 per month stipend plus benefits and paid tuition) and grant opportunities. In addition, some scholarships are also available.
Can you guide me through the application process?
Most applicants for our doctorate program have completed a master’s degree, but students may be admitted with a bachelor’s Degree. Bachelor’s degree applicants must have an exemplary record of achievement at the undergraduate level and significant preparation in health education. A member of the graduate faculty to be admitted must accept students. We will only review COMPLETE applications. A COMPLETE application includes: apply on the Texas A&M GraduateCAS website; transcripts from all institutions of higher education that you have attended; three letters of recommendation (at least one must be from a prior professor who can attest to your academic abilities); statement of purpose; your current resume.
What are the faculty’s research areas of health education at Texas A&M university?
We have 11 world-class tenure-track/tenured faculty serve the Health Education Division through teaching, research, and service, bringing decades of experience to Health Education students. It is highly recommended that before you apply for our Ph.D. program, you choose the field you are interested in, identify a potential advisor for your doctoral program, and contact them for more information about their research. You can find more specific information in the table below, or visit: https://hlkn.tamu.edu/divisions/division-health-education/#faculty
Name Email Address Research Interests Yorghos Apostolopoulos (Associate Professor)
yaposto@tamu.edu Social epidemiology Occupational health and safety
Health policy
Adam Barry (Professor)
aebarry@tamu.edu Alcohol Impairment
Alcohol-Related Behaviors
Population Health (Student Service Members/Veterans)
Population Health (College Students)Lei-Shih Chen (Associate Professor)
lacechen@tamu.edu Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Cancer Prevention and Control
Health DisparitiesInternational Health
Maternal and Children Health
Public Health GenomicsWhitney Garney (Assistant Professor)
wrgarney@tamu.edu Community-based participatory research
Ecological approaches to public health
Program evaluation
Public health innovation
Social network analysis
Systems approaches to public healthTamika Gilreath (Associate Professor)
tgilreath@tamu.edu Adolescence Substance use
Mental Health
Comorbidity of behavioral health risks
Disparities/Vulnerable populations (e.g., Black American, military-connected)
Emerging adulthood
Patricia Goodson (Professor)
pgoodson@tamu.edu Prevention Education
Program Evaluation
Reproductive Health
Sex EducationIdethia Harvey (Associate Professor)
isharvey@tamu.edu Health Disparities Smoking cessation
Meg Patterson (Assistant Professor)
megpatterson@tamu.edu Addiction and recovery
College student health and wellness
Community heath
Interpersonal violence
Physical activity and sedentary Behavior
Social network analysisLedric Sherman (Assistant Professor)
lsherman@tamu.edu Diabetes Self-Management
Health education and wellness promotion
Men’s Health
Quality & quantity of life among persons living with type 2 diabetesLisa T. Wigfall (Assistant Professor)
lwigfall@tamu.edu Health Communication
HIV/AIDS Health Disparities
HPV-Related Cancer Health Disparities
Implementation Science
Systems IntegrationKelly Wilson (Professor)
kwilson@tamu.edu Service design and innovative program development Child and adolescent health status & behaviors
Teen pregnancy prevention and healthy sexuality
Sexuality education training for professionals
Pregnant and parenting adolescents
What’s the curriculum for the doctoral program in health education at Texas A&M University?
Every student’s course of study is individually designed on the basis of career goals and interests. The program required a minimum of 64 hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree and 96 hours of coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree and must include: health education core; statistics/research requirement; teaching internship; dissertation of original research; students may petition to substitute elective courses for required health education courses already completed. For more information, please visit: https://hlkn.tamu.edu/academics/health-education-doctoral/#curriculum
Why should I obtain a Ph.D. in health education at Texas A&M University?
Texas A&M has the 6th largest student body in the nation, and is ranked among the nation’s top 25 public universities and top 10 public engineering schools by U.S. News & World Report. The campus is located in the twin cities of Bryan and College Station, Texas, which boasts a low cost of living, good educational and support for students, sunbelt environment, and is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the country.
The Department of Health & Kinesiology’s Health Education Division in Texas A&M has world-wide faculty with diverse backgrounds, strong research skills and a desire to help and mentor students. Their research fields are widespread and varied, including but not limited to cancer, HIV, sexuality, health policy, school health, substance abuse, physical activity, health disparities, mental health, interpersonal violence, health communication, international research, social network analysis, maternal and children health, public health genomics etc., which can meet students’ different research interests and needs.
There is a wide range of employment in health education. Most of our Ph.D. graduates are highly competitive in the job market, with many getting faculty positions inside and outside the United States or working in government or hospitals.
What is Health Education?
The Department of Health & Kinesiology’s Health Education Division offers comprehensive curricula that prepare students to help people improve their health, and thereby the quality of life, through effective health education, powerful networking, strong leadership, meaningful research and selfless service to others. The vision of the Health Education Division is to be a leader in improving the quality of life for individuals on personal, community and global levels. The mission of the Health Education Division is to train and equip professionals to facilitate improving human health through practice, research, and service. (For more information, please visit: https://hlkn.tamu.edu/divisions/division-health-education/)
I still have further questions—who can I contact to help me answer those?
The Graduate Advising Office is located on the third floor of the Gilchrist Building. Our office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Graduate Advisor: Brandi Hatzenbuehler
- Office: Gibb Gilchrist Building
You can email us general questions at knsm-grad@tamu.edu.
What are the typical program costs?
The following website can help you estimate the cost of the program, including current costs of tuition and fees: Estimate your attendance cost.
Please note: you must update the program hours.
Can you guide me through the application process?
Completed Application: A completed application. Fill out information on the GraduateCAS website. The name on your application must match your name as it appears in your passport. Application Fee: A non-refundable $89application fee for domestic applicants and $114 application fee for international applicants. The application fee may be paid by check, money order or approved credit card. Applicants who wish to pay by credit card may do so as part of the online application. If you are unable to pay the fee online, you may call the Graduate Admissions Office at 979-845-1060. Official Transcripts and Records: Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. NOTE: You do not need to submit an official transcript from Texas A&M University. For information on submitting official transcripts to Texas A&M University, please visit their website.
How to Apply: Master’s Application Information | Doctoral Application Information
I live out of state. Do you accept out-of-state applicants?
Yes, we accept in-state and out-of-state applicants.
Is there any opportunity for financial assistance?
Yes, there are opportunities for financial assistance through the following offices: Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
Is the GRE required?
No, the GRE is not required.
Request Information
Tuition & Fees
“For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance (COA), please visit our cost and tuition rates webpage (https://aggie.tamu.edu/billing-and-payments/cost-and- tuition-rates). This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated COA information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.”