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Phd program.
Our doctorate program is the right path for you if you intend to build a career as a scholar, researcher, teacher, or industry professional in the science of human movement, kinesiology, or other allied health fields or biomedical science settings.
Program Overview
Students pursuing a PhD in Movement Science develop scholarly and research competence, culminating in an original doctoral dissertation contributing to the body of knowledge in kinesiology. The program is designed for students who intend to make their careers as scholars, teachers, researchers, and professionals in exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control, and allied fields.
Each doctoral student works closely with a faculty advisor from the beginning of their degree program. Under their faculty advisor’s guidance, they are expected to take relevant coursework, engage in relevant research experiences (lab rotations, independent study projects, etc.), generate research ideas, and complete a research dissertation prior to graduation.
A principal goal of doctoral student training is achieving competence as an independent scholar. This entails not only proficiency in research but in the dissemination of knowledge. To achieve this, students learn to guide the learning of others as a Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) or Graduate Student Instructor (GSI).
Doctoral students and their faculty advisors will form a Guidance Committee, Qualifying Examination Committee, and a Dissertation Committee to provide advice and evaluate student progress at successive stages of the program.
Movement Science PhD Curriculum
PhD students choose from a set of core courses in Kinesiology, as well as cognate courses from other units, and complete a minimum of 30 pre-candidacy credits beyond the master's level. Qualifying examinations must be passed before advancing to candidacy, after which the student completes an original doctoral dissertation. A minimum of 50 credits including pre-candidacy and candidacy work must be completed to graduate.
The courses you take will vary, depending on your educational goals. Courses taken for graduate credit will carry MOVESCI or KINESLGY program codes, and are numbered 500 and above.
- Browse only KINESLGY courses in the Course Catalog
- Browse only MOVESCI courses in the Course Catalog
- Browse entire Course Catalog
Movement Science Graduate Faculty
Our Movement Science graduate faculty are leaders in their fields, and have a variety of interests and specialties. View the MVS graduate faculty list .
Forms & Bulletins
The Graduate Bulletin contains a wealth of information, including requirements for admissions, coursework, doctoral candidacy, and more. The Policies and Procedures page includes a wider selection of Bulletins, plus forms required for progress towards your PhD degree.
- Graduate Bulletin 2024-25
- Graduate Bulletin 2023-24
- Graduate Bulletin 2022-23
- Graduate Bulletin for MVS and SM Programs 2021-22
- Graduate Bulletin 2020-21
- Graduate Bulletin 2019-20
- Forms and Bulletins page on this website
Interested in our DPT Program?
Browse our continuing education courses.
PHD PROGRAM IN BIOKINESIOLOGY
The PhD program in Biokinesiology — ranked 12th in the nation by the National Academy of Kinesiology — prepares students to address important research questions to improve the health and well-being of society. Graduates develop expertise in a focused area of Biokinesiology as well as the requisite technical skills to make meaningful contributions to the field.
The PhD in Biokinesiology program prepares graduates to be educators and scientists in Biokinesiology, capable of directing an interdisciplinary research program that is innovative, collaborative and sustainable.
Areas of concentration include motor control and learning, muscle physiology, biomechanics, motor development and exercise physiology.
Current biokinesiology faculty members, who can serve as supervisors (primary advisors) for biokinesiology doctoral students include:
Stacey Dusing, PhD, PT, FAPTA James Finley, PhD Beth Fisher, PhD, PT, FAPTA Kathryn Havens, PhD Kari Kretch, PhD, PT, DPT Kornelia Kulig, PhD, PT, FAPTA Jason Kutch, PhD Kristan Leech, PhD, DPT, PT Lori Michener, PhD, PT, ATC, SCS, FAPTA Christopher Powers, PT, PhD, FASCM, FAPTA George J. Salem, PhD Barbara Sargent, PhD, PT, PCS Todd Schroeder, PhD Nicolas Schweighofer, PhD Susan Sigward, PT, ATC, PhD Beth Smith, DPT, PhD Francisco Valero-Cuevas, PhD
Biokinesiology integrates the study of movement at the molecular, cellular, organ and systems levels, giving students a unique, interdisciplinary perspective of the biological bases of normal and disordered movement.
Application Deadline: November 1
Admission will be considered for the fall semester only. Once completed, your application will enter the review process. You will be notified of our admission decision by the end of February. Students only are admitted to the PhD program if there is a strong match between a potential faculty advisor and an applicant’s research interests. It is highly recommended you contact the faculty member(s) you are interested in working with prior to the submission of your application.
Student Handbook
Admission will be considered for the fall semester only. Once completed, your application will enter the review process. You will be notified of our admission decision by the end of February.
Students only are admitted to the PhD program if there is a strong match between a potential faculty advisor and an applicant’s research interests. It is highly recommended you contact the faculty member(s) you are interested in working with prior to the submission of your application.
To apply for the PhD in Biokinesiology:
1. Complete the online USC Graduate Application .
The application requires you to submit:
- Résumé or CV
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals able to comment on your academic and research capabilities and potential
- Statement of purpose, in an uploadable document, double-spaced
Note: A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required to enter the PhD program in Biokinesiology.
To assist in preparing your statement of purpose, consider the following questions:
- Why have you chosen to apply for admission to the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy?
- What is the area of your current research?
- Which USC faculty member do you hope to conduct research with?
- Why are you interested in the PhD in Biokinesiology?
- What are your professional goals or objectives?
- How do you plan to accomplish these goals?
- How will this program facilitate the accomplishment of your professional goals?
- How do you feel you will contribute to the field of physical therapy and/or science of movement?
2. Mail your official transcripts from all schools attended to:
USC Office of Graduate Admission 3601 South Flower Street, Room 112 Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
The USC Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy is committed to PhD training that provides students with the skills necessary to function independently in a scientific setting by the time they graduate.
The curriculum strikes a balance between providing students with a broad exposure to the variety of disciplines within Biokinesiology and giving students the advanced skills necessary to excel in a specialized area.
Students achieve breadth of knowledge by taking a set of required core courses, and they develop depth by taking elective courses in their areas of concentration. Students complete a dissertation in which they plan and conduct a unique and significant research investigation under the guidance of a Biokinesiology faculty member as research advisor.
PhD Program in Biokinesiology Student Handbook 2023-2024
Required Courses:
BKN 550 Neurobehavioral Basis of Movement BKN 551 Musculoskeletal and Biomechanical Basis of Movement BKN 552 Physiological Basis of Voluntary Movement BKN 553 Experimental Methods for the Analysis of Human Movement BKN 790 Research BKN 794 Doctoral Dissertation Two Semesters of Graduate Level Statistics One Ethics Course
Elective Courses:
BKN 504 Neuromuscular Systems BKN 557 Functional Neuroanatomy with Lab Dissection BKN 559 Readings in Biokinesiology BKN 563 Biomechanics of Human Motion BKN 573 a/b Advanced Dissection BKN 578 Classic Readings in Biokinesiology BKN 590 Directed Research BKN 593 Behavioral Basis of Motor Control and Learning BKN 599 Advanced Data Analysis for Movement Science BKN 617 Modeling the Motor System: An Introduction BKN 618L Modeling the Motor System: Laboratory BKN621 Electromyography in Research and Practice BKN672 Advanced Independent Study in Biokinesiology BKN790 Research
Outcome objectives for the PhD program in Biokinesiology include the following:
- Proficient knowledge of the biological basis of healthy and disordered human movement.
- A deep understanding of the existing research in a specialized area of Biokinesiology.
- Attainment of strong technical and analytical skills to become an effective researcher in Biokinesiology.
- Demonstrated ability to identify contemporary research questions in Biokinesiology to extend existing knowledge through original research.
- Demonstrated ability to engage in a productive research career in a variety of employment settings.
Interested in applying to our PhD program in biokinesiology? Check out the video below for some tips and best practices for starting a successful application.
Powerpoint Slides from Presentation
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