Health and Human Performance, PhD

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Doctorate in Health and Human Performance

The PhD in Health and Human Performance (HHP) is a research-driven program focused on advancing expertise in neuromuscular function, integrative physiology, and human performance. Students collaborate with faculty and peers on both basic and applied research while developing instructional skills for laboratory and classroom settings. Graduates gain experience conducting high-quality research suitable for professional presentations and publications, contributing to the growing body of knowledge in the field. Areas of concentration include neurophysiology, cardiorespiratory and vascular physiology, aerobic and anaerobic training, musculoskeletal assessment, tactical research, and sport science.

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Program Details

Department: School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation

College: Education and Human Sciences

Available At: OSU Stillwater Campus

Degree

Doctorate of Philosophy in Health and Human Performance

Specialty Area(s)

Health and Human Performance

Contact

Dr. Doug Smith Professor Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation 405-744-5500 doug.smith@okstate.edu

Curriculum

The program requires 60-credit hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree:

15 core program hours
9 program option hours
30 thesis/dissertation hours
6 elective hours

Research and Faculty

Our mission is to perform high-quality research that is both innovative and impactful. Our labs use state-of-the-art technology to investigate physiological changes with aging, training, fatigue, disease and more. We also study proactive health behaviors that can help prevent negative health outcomes, including what influences those behaviors. Research areas include:

Research Areas

Neuromuscular function
Fatigue
Vascular physiology
Exercise prescription & training methodologies
Athletic or military performance
Tactical training performance
Brain behavior & plasticity

Musculoskeletal quality
Exercise metabolism
Nutrition & dietary supplementation
Motor control
Proprioception
Sensory-motor integration
Fall prevention
Muscle hypertrophy & atrophy

Meet our Departmental Faculty

Admissions

Applications to the program are accepted on a rolling basis, however, to be considered to Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) or Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) it is recommended to contact a potential advisor and be accepted into the program by February 1. To apply to the PhD program in Health and Human Performance, complete the following:

Graduate College application

Transcripts from all previously attended institutions (3.5 minimum graduate GPA required)
Current resume/vita
Three letters of recommendation
Professional goal statement (approximately two pages, double-spaced)
Professional writing sample (scholarly paper, thesis, report or other publication within the last 10 years)

*If you have not completed a master’s degree prior to admission, you must complete all master’s-level prerequisite courses in addition to the doctoral requirements.

Cost & Assistance

Full-time students may be eligible for graduate assistantships in the School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation, either as a Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA) or a Graduate Research Associate (GRA). These positions are highly competitive and typically awarded in the spring semester. Those granted assistantships are eligible to receive a tuition waiver, health insurance and stipend. Please contact doug.smith@okstate.edu for more information.

Currently enrolled students are also eligible for scholarships offered through the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Cost
Scholarships
Assistantships & Funding Opportunities