PhD in Exercise and Health Sciences at University of Massachusetts Boston

    PhD in Exercise and Health Sciences at University of Massachusetts Boston

    PhD in Exercise and Health Sciences at University of Massachusetts Boston

    Study Exercise and Health Sciences at University of Massachusetts Boston, a PhD degree offered at its main campus in Boston, United States of America. This Full Time program is delivered on campus in English and takes approximately 4 years to complete. Students benefit from a structured learning experience designed to build both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The next intake is scheduled for September 5, 2027.

    About PhD in Exercise and Health Sciences

    UMass Boston's doctoral Exercise and Health Sciences program is a firmly research-based, interdisciplinary program. A student's primary area of research will align closely with the research of a specific faculty advisor in the Department.

    The faculty's broad expertise ranges from the cellular level (molecular mechanisms) to the society at large (community and population studies), with many collaborative research efforts focused on exercise physiology, behavior science, and physical activity and health promotion in diverse populations across the lifespan.

    While a primary faculty advisor guides a student's dissertation research, degree candidates will have the opportunity to explore other areas of interest in the form of directed research and elective courses, preparing them to be well-rounded researchers.

    Built on our Master of Science curriculum, our doctoral program offers advanced study in Applied Exercise Physiology and Physical Activity and Health Promotion. See our PhD program fact sheet for more detailed information. Applications are due by July 1 for a fall start.

    Learning Outcomes

    1. Demonstrate a deep understanding of fundamental concepts of exercise science and/or health promotion.
    2. Conduct systemic inquiry and apply critical thinking to evaluate scientific literature relevant to the specialization area in exercise science and health promotion.
    3. Use an appropriate theoretical framework and quantitative and/or qualitative methods to acquire, analyze and interpret data.
    4. Disseminate scientific findings at local, national, and global levels through publications and presentations.
    5. Demonstrate leadership as a researcher and educator to promote physical activity and improve health in diverse populations.

    Application Deadlines

    • Priority deadline is March 1*
    • Final deadline is June 1

    *Graduate assistantships may be available and preference will be given to those applicants who meet the March 1 deadline

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for PhD in Exercise and Health Sciences at University of Massachusetts Boston

    Entry Requirements

    GPA

    A minimum, cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or international equivalent) in all undergraduate work. Please note that some programs may require a supplemental list of coursework and/or discipline specific GPA calculation. Please review your programs’ requirements to confirm.

    Bachelor's Degree

    At the time of enrollment, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of recognized standing or an international equivalent. International applicants must submit evidence that they have completed the equivalent of a regionally accredited, U.S. university-level bachelor’s degree program. Most international 3-year degrees, including the Indian Bachelor of Arts, Sciences and Commerce degrees, are not considered to be equivalent.

    Online Application and Fee

    The nonrefundable application fee is $75.

    No application fee for UMass Boston alumni! UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

    Official Transcripts

    Official transcripts for all institutions where you have earned more than 6 credits. Most transcripts can be requested electronically through the Centralized Application System (CAS). Original hardcopy transcripts must be sealed in an envelope from the issuing institution.

    Test Scores

    • Some programs require official GRE or GMAT test scores. Please review program requirements to confirm.
    • Applicants who completed undergraduate coursework outside of the United States may be required to submit English proficiency test results, even if they are permanent residents or citizen of the U.S. Please review the international applicant page.
    • UMass Boston’s institution code is 3924. We can only accept official score reports sent electronically or in hardcopy directly from the testing agency.
    • In accordance with Massachusetts state law, Office of Graduate Studies and Graduate Admissions policy permits residents of Massachusetts who have been diagnosed as developmentally disabled (including those with specific language disabilities, such as dyslexia, but not including those whose sole disability is blindness) to request a waiver of the requirement to submit GRE, GMAT, or MAT scores. To qualify for a waiver, an applicant must submit documentation of their disability. Some graduate programs require an alternative mode of assessment (e.g., a writing sample) in lieu of the standardized test score.
    • For information, contact your program of interest.

    Letters of Recommendation

    • The number of letters required varies by program. Please review program requirements. The recommenders you identify will receive an email with instructions upon submission of the online application.
    • Typically, one or more letters from former professors familiar with your academic abilities provide the strongest recommendations. Recommenders should have worked closely with the applicant in an academic, professional, or community service setting. Letters should not be written by friends or family members of the applicant. Letters should focus on the applicant’s abilities and past academic performance, while also indicating an ability to effectively complete graduate-level coursework.

    Statement of Purpose

    The statement of purpose is your opportunity to show the graduate admissions committee why you wish to pursue graduate study, as well as your specific interests and goals. In general the first part of your statement (about 300 words) shares your reason for wanting to attend graduate school while the second part (about 1200 word) indicates your specific interest and the kind of work you would like to do in your intended field. The program to which you are applying may have other instructions regarding the content and nature of this statement. You will be able to upload your Statement of Purpose to your application in .doc or .pdf form.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 61
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 90

    Tuition and Fee Information for PhD in Exercise and Health Sciences at University of Massachusetts Boston

    Application Fee 75

    How to Apply for PhD in Exercise and Health Sciences at University of Massachusetts Boston

    • Choose which graduate program is the best fit.
    • Review your program’s application requirements and deadlines.
    • Submit your application, statement of purpose, and transcripts through Liaison’s Centralized Application System (CAS):
    • Graduate Nursing Application for all nursing programs
    • BusinessCAS for all College of Management programs
    • GradCAS for all other programs!
    • Order transcripts electronically in the Centralized Application System (CAS) or by requesting official hardcopies be mailed to the address for your CAS:
      • BusinessCAS Transcript Processing Center
        P.O. Box 9221
        Watertown, MA 02471
         
      • GradCAS Transcript Processing Center
        P.O. Box 9217
        Watertown, MA 02471
         
    • If GRE or GMAT scores are required for your program, request official scores be sent to the University of Massachusetts Boston (institution code 3924).
    • If you are an international applicant, please review our bachelor’s equivalency and English language proficiency requirements. If submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores, request that they be sent to the University of Massachusetts Boston (institution code 3924).
    • If we are unable to determine international degree equivalence, we may ask applicants to submit an external evaluation from the Center for Educational Documentation (www.cedevaluations.com). The foreign evaluation does not replace the official transcript requirement.

    If you need to submit other hardcopy materials or cannot send materials to a P.O. Box, you can send materials directly to our office (please allow for additional processing time):
    UMass Boston Graduate Admissions
    100 Morrissey Boulevard
    Boston, MA 02125

    PhD in Exercise and Health Sciences at University of Massachusetts Boston
    University of Massachusetts Boston
    University of Massachusetts Boston
    United States of America

    United States of America, Boston

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