To pursue a Ph.D. in Human Kinetics and Recreation (HKR), students must meet the admission requirements of the Memorial University of Newfoundland School of Graduate Studies.

1. Admission to the program will be limited and competitive.

2. An applicant must normally hold a Master’s Degree with a specialization in HKR. In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may request a transfer to the Ph.D. program after a minimum of 12 months in their program of study, completion of all Master’s course work requirements with a minimum grade of 70%, and clear evidence of exceptional research productivity. The final decision for transfer from the Master’s programs to the Ph.D. program rests with the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

3. Completion of a thesis-based master's program with a minimum graduating average of 70%, or of a non-thesis based master's program with a minimum graduating average of 70% with relevant research experience in a field that is relevant to the area of study in the desired Ph.D. program, is normally required. (Examples of acceptable programs may include: kinesiology, sport management, health-related disciplines) A student who has spent three semesters in the MHKR program may be recommended for transfer into the Ph.D. stream.

4. Applicants will be assessed for admission to the Ph.D. in HKR based on their research interests, their documented potential to produce meaningful research in their chosen field, and the availability of supervisors in the area of the applicant’s interest. Prior to proceeding with a formal application, interested candidates are advised to contact potential supervisors by email from within their area of research interest to determine the availability of positions and supervisors.

5. An applicant who did not complete a Master’s degree at a recognized university where English is the primary language of instruction must normally complete either the

   1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a paper-based score of 580 (or higher), computer-based score of 237 (or higher), or Internet-based score of 92 (or higher);

   2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and achieve a score of 7 (or higher); or

   3. Other equivalent tests acceptable to the School of Graduate Studies will also be considered.

Offered in partnership with the School of Graduate Studies (SGS), the Ph.D.-HKR within the School of Human Kinetics and Recreation (SHKR) is intended for students whose academic interests are within or cross multiple disciplines in areas related to Human Kinetics, Kinesiology, Physical Activity, Recreation and Leisure, and Sport. Students enrolled in this program typically have excellent academic records and a clear understanding of their research topic at the time of application.

The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken. Normally a minimum of three years is required to complete the program, and the average duration of the program is four years. As stated in the General Regulations, Period of Study for Graduate Studies, the time limit for completion of the Degree is 7 years. The program is offered by full- and part-time study, and is guided by a Supervisory Committee made up of a lead supervisor and internal and external (to HKR) committee members.

Course Requirements: In addition to the Doctoral Research Seminar, students in the program shall normally be required to complete a minimum of 2 courses (6 credit hours) and a maximum of 4 courses (12 credit hours). The Supervisory Committee will determine the appropriate courses to better prepare the student for their research and dissertation. Courses shall normally consist of at least one course in research methods and one course in a substantive area, which will be chosen from existing courses currently offered in HKR or other applicable faculties/departments.

Doctoral Research Seminar: Students must complete the Doctoral Research Seminar for 6 semesters in the first 3 years of their program. This seminar focuses on scholarly and professional challenges facing researchers in SHKR. Topics include current research in Exercise Science, Recreation, and Physical & Health Education, critical issues in research, the need for knowledge translation and dissemination, critical examination of students' emerging research questions, grant writing, teaching dossiers, applying for faculty positions, professional development, and networking skills. This seminar encourages doctoral students to become engaged in the research community, advance the development of their own capacity for research and professional development, and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of multiple approaches to the study of physical activity.

In addition, students are required to complete the following:

Comprehensive Examination: The Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination shall be administered in accordance with SGS’s General Regulations, Comprehensive Examinations. The examination shall normally consist of both written and oral components. The examination will deal with specified areas pertaining to the focus of the degree. The format and content of the comprehensive examinations will be determined by the candidate's Supervisory Committee. The examination will be conducted upon the completion of any required coursework, normally scheduled in the fourth semester of the student’s program and no later than the seventh semester of the student’s program. The Comprehensive Examination Committee, appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Academic Unit, will conduct the examination. There are two comprehensive exam options:

Option A:

The examination shall normally consist of written and oral components. Students will be required to prepare a paper on their research project, including a review of relevant literature on the fundamental topics, providing a critique of the research in this area of study, and proposing a study and methods that address a gap in the research topic. This paper must be submitted to the Comprehensive Examination Committee 14 days prior to the oral examination. The oral examination will encompass areas outlined in the written paper and field-specific topics at the discretion of the Comprehensive Examination Committee.

Option B:

The examination shall normally consist of written and oral components. A student will prepare for an exam by undertaking supervised readings in fields prescribed by the members of the Comprehensive Exam Committee. The examination will deal with general and specified areas pertaining to the focus of the degree, including content related to the student’s research topic, the theoretical background of the student’s research topic, and relevant research methods. The answers to the exam must be submitted to the Comprehensive Examination Committee 7 days prior to the oral examination. The oral examination will encompass all questions on the written exam and exam-specific topics at the discretion of the Comprehensive Examination Committee.

Doctoral Proposal and Dissertation: The student must submit a written thesis proposal for presentation to the Supervisory Committee within three months following the completion of the student's comprehensive examination. The student must complete a doctoral dissertation that is scholarly, original, and offers new contributions to the field of study. Prior to the commencement of the doctoral dissertation, the student must present to the Supervisory Committee a research proposal outlining the proposed dissertation research project including a comprehensive literature review and methodological details of the proposed work. The Supervisory Committee must approve this proposal before the dissertation research project commences. Submission of the dissertation and the oral defense of the dissertation will follow General Regulations, Theses and Reports, Evaluation of Ph.D. and Psy.D. Theses and will be evaluated by the Thesis Examination Board.

Professional Development Activities: Students are expected to actively participate in professional development activities, such as the MUN Enhanced Development of the Graduate Experience (EDGE) program, and in research seminars recommended by the Supervisory Committee in order to foster scholarly discourse. In these seminars, students hone their research skills by learning how to apply theories, concepts, and methods that they have acquired in their required courses and by developing, presenting, and discussing research projects other than their thesis projects.

• 6000 Quantitative Research Methods
• 6001 Qualitative Research Methods
• 6002 Action Research
• 6003 Culture and Society
• 6110 Physical Education, Recreation, and Sport Management
• 6111 Canadian Delivery Systems in Physical Education, Recreation and Sport
• 6120 Curriculum Development in Physical Education
• 6121 Physical Education Leadership
• 6122 Comprehensive Community and School Health
• 6123 Coaching and Long-term Athlete Development
• 6124 Adapted Physical Activity
• 6126 Positive Youth Development
• 6127 Activity Over the Lifespan
• 6130 Computer Applications for Physical Activity Measurement and Intervention
• 6201 Foundations of Sport Psychology and Mental Training Techniques
• 6202 Intervention and Enhancement Techniques in Mental Training Consultation
• 6203 Sport Psychology Consulting
• 6310 Exercise Physiology I
• 6314 Graduate Seminar Series (repeatable, non-credit)
• 6320 Exercise Physiology II
• 6330 The Application and Implementation of Kinesiology Technologies
• 6335 Work, Organization & Health
• 6360 Knowledge Translation: Applications to Ergonomics and Occupational Health and Safety
• 6370 Movement and Neural Science
• 6410 Sport and Society
• 6500 Introduction to Research in Physical Education
• 6600 Contemporary Issues and Trends
• 6710-6719 Individual Reading and Research