Accelerated BS Kinesiology/MS Kinesiology

BS / MS

Highly motivated students may qualify for our accelerated degree program. Successful candidates can earn a BS and an MS in Kinesiology in five years. This will include three years of undergraduate training and two years of graduate education.

Freshman Admission

There are no additional program admission requirements for incoming freshman or international students.

Graduate Phase Admission

Admission to the Graduate School and the MS Kinesiology program is selective and occurs in the fall of junior year (year 3) with a formal start date in the accelerated program of spring of the following year (year 4). To be considered for admission to the graduate phase of the accelerated program students  must meet the following requirements:

• Direct application to the UWM Graduate School.
• A narrative statement explaining the student’s interest in the MSK program.
• Overall GPA: 3.0 (and offer would be contingent on maintaining GPA over junior year- GPA will be checked in semesters 5, 6, and 7).
• Pre-req GPA: 3.0 (and no lower than a B in any pre-req KIN 270; KIN 320, 360, OR 361; KIN 330; KIN 350 or 351).
• Letters of reference as we currently require for typical admission.
• No GRE required.

Students not accepted into the graduate phase

Students who are not selected for the accelerated graduate phase by the end of fall junior year would be able to complete their BSK degree by taking an additional 15 credits to total 120 credits.  They could also apply to the UWM MSK program in the regular cycle.

Students who decide to leave the MSK program after completion of 3.5 years in the BSK and 1 year in the MSK would have completed all degree requirements for their BSK degree.

Advising

Prospective Students

If you have questions about pursuing this accelerated degree program, you are encouraged to contact Torry Rufer (tjrufer@uwm.edu or 414-229-6237), Senior Academic Advisor. We encourage you to carefully review this website prior to scheduling an advising appointment.

Questions regarding financial aid for the undergraduate component of the accelerated degree program should be directed to Student Financial Services.

Undergraduate students qualify for grants (i.e. federal Pell grant, state grants, etc) and subsidized loans.

For the graduate portion of program, students should still complete the FAFSA as they qualify for unsubsidized loans as well as scholarships and fellowships. Graduate students do not qualify for federal Pell or state grants.

There are no additional program admission requirements for incoming freshman or international students.

Graduate Phase Admission

Admission to the Graduate School and the MS Kinesiology program is selective and occurs in the fall of junior year (year 3) with a formal start date in the accelerated program of spring of the following year (year 4). To be considered for admission to the graduate phase of the accelerated program students  must meet the following requirements:

• Direct application to the UWM Graduate School.
• A narrative statement explaining the student’s interest in the MSK program.
• Overall GPA: 3.0 (and offer would be contingent on maintaining GPA over junior year- GPA will be checked in semesters 5, 6, and 7).
• Pre-req GPA: 3.0 (and no lower than a B in any pre-req KIN 270; KIN 320, 360, OR 361; KIN 330; KIN 350 or 351).
• Letters of reference as we currently require for typical admission.
• No GRE required.

Students not accepted into the graduate phase

Students who are not selected for the accelerated graduate phase by the end of fall junior year would be able to complete their BSK degree by taking an additional 15 credits to total 120 credits.  They could also apply to the UWM MSK program in the regular cycle.

Students who decide to leave the MSK program after completion of 3.5 years in the BSK and 1 year in the MSK would have completed all degree requirements for their BSK degree.

Curriculum

Classes available for shared credit

Total credits of the MS Kinesiology program = 30
The total credits for the BS Kinesiology = 120

This accelerated degree program will utilize backward-shared credits, a total of 15 credits will be shared back to the BSK for completion of the undergraduate degree. Six credits will be forward-shared from the BSK for completion of the MSK degree.

Example curriculum plan for Accelerated BS Kinesiology/MS Kinesiology Clinical Exercise Physiology focus

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior/MSK Semester 1

MSK Semester 2 & 3

UG electives not available: KIN 440, KIN 531, KIN 532, KIN 533, KIN 534

Example curriculum plan for Accelerated BS Kinesiology/MS Kinesiology Strength and Conditioning focus

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior/MSK Semester 1

MSK Semester 2 & 3

UG electives not available: KIN 336, KIN 533, KIN 550, KIN 580

Please note: All courses are subject to change. Please consult the Academic Catalog for the most up-to-date information.

Careers

The Accelerated BS/MS in Kinesiology will prepare you for careers in a range of settings, including sports and athletic performance centers, fitness facilities, community health centers, and hospitals.

• Strength and conditioning professionals specialize in creating programs to improve athletic performance by focusing on strength, speed, agility, endurance and injury prevention.
• Clinical exercise physiology professionals use exercise to prevent, treat, and manage chronic diseases in a variety of areas including cardiac rehabilitation; pulmonary rehabilitation; diabetes prevention and treatment; cancer prevention and rehabilitation; and obesity prevention and treatment. They design exercise programs; promote wellness strategies; assess physical health and fitness; provide evidence-based education, training, and advice; and administer diagnostics tests. 

You will also be well prepared to pursue PhD studies.

Employment options include, but are not limited to:

• Clinical exercise physiologist
• Rehabilitation specialist
• Athletic and sport performance coach
• Corporate wellness director
• Fitness center director
• Physical therapy aide
• Exercise science researcher
• Medical sales

Major employers of our alumni include:

• Advocate Health
• Air Force Research Laboratory
• American Medical Center (AMC)
• Aurora Health Care
• Banner Health
• Neurological Research Institute
• Blackhawk Technical College
• Concordia University Wisconsin
• Elite Sports Clubs
• Fitness Together®
• Froedtert Health
• Integra Physical Therapy & Personal Training
• Milwaukee Yoga Center
• Simplex Health
• Unity Point Health Meriter Hospital
• University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
• University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• US HealthCenter, Inc.
• Wisconsin Athletic Club, LLC
• Xperience Fitness