California State University Long Beach



California State University Long Beach

Department of Kinesiology

Graduate Program

Admission Criteria

M.S. Degree Requirements

Contact Information

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH

DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY

Dear Prospective Kinesiology Graduate Student,

Thank you for your interest in the Master of Science (M.S.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree programs in Kinesiology at California State University, Long Beach. The Graduate Program in Kinesiology is aggressively recruiting focused, highly motivated, and high achieving post-graduate students who seek a traditional college experience, while maintaining its mission of providing access and opportunity for non-traditional students, including first generation, reentering part-time, and historically under-represented groups.

The Graduate Program in the Department of Kinesiology features an exemplary faculty trained at the finest American universities and with established reputations for scholarship and leading-edge teaching techniques. During the past several years, the Kinesiology Department has acquired nearly one million dollars of new research/ instructional equipment and has added several new laboratories, including a state-of-the-art human performance center. The Department also operates a fully equipped fitness facility where both graduate and undergraduate students may seek employment and gain valuable professional experience while obtaining their education.

CSULB, a vibrant, comprehensive, urban university with an enrollment of over 37,000 students, is one of the largest campuses in the 23-member California State University system. Located 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, the fifth largest city in California, the 320 acre campus offers a beautifully landscaped, garden-like setting, an excellent physical plant and outstanding instructional facilities enhanced by an attractive, aesthetically pleasing architecture and design in 80 permanent buildings. The Long Beach weather is pleasant year round and the campus receives relatively little rain.

The M.S. Degree features four Options: Exercise Science, Athletic Training, Sport and Exercise Psychology and Exercise Physiology and Nutrition. The M.A. Degree features four options: Sport Management, Adapted Physical Education, Coaching and Athlete Development, and Individualized Studies.

Graduate students are encouraged to seek employment related to their course of study. The Kinesiology Department employs some graduate students as Graduate Assistants during the academic year, as well as part-time instructors in the general physical activity program. Some graduate faculty members have research grants that also provide employment for qualified students. In addition, there are many employment opportunities nearby for students at fitness clubs, public schools, hospitals, and collegiate and professional sports organizations.

Admission requirements for both the M.S. and M.A. degree programs include the following: (1) GPA of 2.75 over the last 60 units of upper-division undergraduate course work; (2) three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your ability to succeed in graduate school; (3) a letter of intent; (4) resume, and (5) a set of official transcripts from all college/university baccalaureate and graduate institutions attended.

Financial aid is available to all qualified students. The University also provides a small number of non-resident tuition reduction waivers for out-of-state and international graduate students; these fee waivers are provided on a competitive basis to the most qualified students entering the university. Individuals interested in this fee waiver should contact me directly.

If you are interested in applying for admission to the Graduate Program in Kinesiology, complete an on-line application at . Submit official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions to the Office of Enrollment Services at CSULB.

Additionally, send your letter of intent, current resume, and three (3) letters of recommendation to Dr. Ede (Alison.ede@csulb.edu) in the Department of Kinesiology.

If you are interested in graduate assistantships/teaching associate opportunities, please contact Dr. Ede for more information on the application process.

The deadline for fall admission is March 15.

For further information please contact me by email at Alison.ede@csulb.edu or visit our Web Page at . I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Alison Ede

Alison Ede, Ph.D.

Associate Chair for Graduate Studies and Academic Planning

Department of Kinesiology

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH

DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY

Department of Kinesiology

Admissions Checklist

CSULB Graduate Application (apply online at )

Official transcripts from all undergraduate/graduate institutions either sent electronically to (can be sent electronically to es-idptrans@csulb.edu) or mailed to:

Office of Enrollment Services

California State University

1250 Bellflower Boulevard

Long Beach, CA 90840

If transcripts are emailed to the Kinesiology department, or sent to Dr. Alison Ede, they will not be received by Enrollment Services. Please be sure to mail official transcripts only to the email or mailing address above in order for your application to be complete.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please email the following materials to Dr. Alison Ede (Alison.ede@csulb.edu) or mail to:

Dr. Alison Ede

Associate Chair of Graduate Studies

Department of Kinesiology

California State University

1250 Bellflower Boulevard

Long Beach, CA 90840-4901

Letter of Intent

3 letters of recommendation * (At least one should be from a former instructor. Letters should be printed on institutional or company letterhead. They may be attached to emails as PDF documents directly from recommenders and emailed to Alison.ede@csulb.edu).

Resume

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH

DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY

Letter of Intent

Your letter of intent should be sent directly to Alison Ede via email (Alison.ede@csulb.edu).

The purpose of this letter is to provide me with some information about you so that I may better advise you. Include in your letter the following information:

1. The reason(s) for choosing the M.S. Program in Kinesiology/Sport and Exercise Psychology, and when you plan to enter CSULB.

2. Your educational goal(s), (e.g., M.S. as a terminal degree or go on to a Ph.D. as a terminal degree).

3. Your career goal(s), (e.g., applied sport psychology consultant, professor, researcher, director of wellness program, coach, athletic director).

4. Any special training, course work, or practical experience you have related to your goals and area of interest.

5. Whether you plan to write a thesis or complete the capstone seminar.

Reference Form

California State University, Long Beach

Department of Kinesiology

Graduate School

Section to be completed by Applicant

Please complete this section, then ask your reference to return this completed form to you in a sealed envelope with his/her signature across the seal, OR have the reference send the completed form directly to the KIN Department at the address below. If the reference sends the letter to you, submit the sealed reference letter in the same packet with all of your application materials.

Applicant Last/Family Name: _______________________________Applicant First Name: ________________________

Phone:____________________________________ E-mail address:___________________________________

Term for which you are applying: _____ Fall _____Spring Year ____________

Degree you are seeking: MA MS Option ___________________________________________

Applicant Statement of Waiver

I understand that this recommendation will be used only for admission and fellowship decisions, and hereby waive my right of access to this recommendation.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Applicant Signature Date

Section to be completed by Person Submitting the Reference

This Admission Committee would appreciate your judicious evaluation of the applicant. We ask that you return the completed evaluation directly to:

Department of Kinesiology

CSULB

c/o Alison Ede, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator

1250 Bellflower Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90840

OR you may return the completed evaluation directly to the applicant. If you choose to return the evaluation to the applicant, please sign your name across the sealed flap of the envelope to preserve the confidentiality of your response.

Note: If the applicant does not sign the” Applicant Statement of Waiver” above, his/her right of access to this evaluation is not waived.

Name of Reference: ________________________________Phone: ____________________ E-mail:___________________

First Last

Position/Title: ______________________________________ Organization: ________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

How long have you known the applicant? ____________ In what capacity? ____________________________________

Please continue to the next page

Please rate the applicant on the qualities listed below:

| |Truly exceptional (top|Outstanding |Above Average (top |Average |Below |

| |5%) |(top 15%) |25%) |(mid 50%) |(lowest 25%) |

|Intellectual Ability | | | | | |

|Academic Motivation | | | | | |

|Analytical Ability | | | | | |

|Ability to engage in high | | | | | |

|level/critical thinking | | | | | |

|Ability to work well with others | | | | | |

|Ability in oral expression | | | | | |

|Ability in written expression | | | | | |

|Overall evaluation | | | | | |

To further ascertain the applicant’s overall suitability for graduate study and his/her professional aspirations, the Admission Committee would like for you to offer personal comments about the applicant by responding to the questions listed below. If at all possible, please respond to these questions using your organization’s letterhead.

1) What is your estimate of the applicant’s promise as a graduate student?

2) What are the applicant’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential for independent study and research?

3) What are the applicant’s academic motivations and aspirations; are they reasonable based on his/her abilities and talents?

4) Does the applicant have the ability to organize and express ideas clearly in writing and orally?

5) Are there factors that may not be reflected on the applicant’s scholastic or employment records, including aspects of character and personality that bear on his/her ability to succeed in graduate school and in his/her subsequent career or profession?

Please check one of the following:

_____I strongly recommend this applicant for the degree program to which he/she is applying.

_____I recommend this applicant for the degree program to which he/she is applying.

_____I recommend with reservations this applicant for the degree program to which he/she is applying.

_____I do not recommend this applicant for the degree program to which he/she is applying.

I _____would/_____would not be willing to respond to additional questions by telephone

Signed:__________________________________________________________________________Date:_________________

Graduate Student FAQs

What type of applicant does the program look for? Desired applicants can write well, are critical thinkers, and are highly motivated. These applicants have clear research and/or applied goals and have worked to familiarize themselves with the field.

What is the recommended work load? Nine units of graduate coursework per semester is a normal academic load for a full-time graduate student. If a candidate wishes to exceed this limit, it should be discussed with the Graduate Coordinator and major advisor. Students who are employed full-time are advised not to exceed six units per semester.

What times are classes normally offered? The majority of the Kinesiology graduate courses are in the mornings, from 8-10:45 and from 11-1:45.

Do I have to live in Long Beach to complete my degree? This degree is intended to be completed in person, and the courses/course schedules are not set up to accommodate distance education. If you choose to live away from the area, this may delay your graduation as you are still required to take the courses listed in the degree plan. We anticipate that fall 2021 will be held in person.

What are my opportunities on campus to be involved in the field? Students have the opportunity to earn AASP CMPC hours doing consulting work with athletes and teams, outside of coursework. First year graduate students shadow second year students. Students interested in exercise psychology should work with Dr. Ede to locate opportunities within LifeFit and the community.

Can I consult with athletes on my own? This is not recommended. Student consultants require supervision that is provided by faculty. If you choose to consult on your own, you may not affiliate yourself with CSULB when you do so.

What conferences should I attend? There are two major conferences within the field. In the fall, the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) hosts their annual conference. This is a largely applied conference and is good for networking and learning practical skills. There is large student membership within this organization. In early summer, the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) hosts their annual conference. This is a smaller conference, but excellent for research and meeting top researchers. Students are encouraged to attend and present when possible. If you present research at one of these conferences, you can apply for travel funding through CSULB.

(Student Travel Grant) ($300 for poster presentations; $400 for lectures)

(ASI travel grant)

How do I get involved in research? Speak with your professors! There are often opportunities to help with research, and you are encouraged to consider independent research for your thesis.

What is the recommended course of study? Please make sure to utilize the degree Roadmap located within mycsulb. This will help guide you as you register. In your first semester, students should take 572: Applied Sport Psychology and 574: Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology and 696: Research Methods and Statistical Analysis.

How do I know if I should write a thesis or take comprehensive examinations? If you wish to pursue a doctoral degree, you should write a thesis. If you write a thesis, you should have your idea solidified by the end of your second semester. Your advising professor can help you with this. Plan to write a lot over the winter and spring and propose the thesis before your second year. All data is the property of CSULB and you should plan to not only complete the thesis, but to submit the data for presentation and publication.

How much does the school look at GPA, letter of intent, and letters of recommendation? All of these aspects of the application are important; however, the letter of intent tells us the most about you and your goals, which can be very helpful in determining your fit for the program.

Is the GRE required for the application?

We have removed the GRE requirement from our application process. You can submit GRE scores if you wish, but it is not a required part of the application.

Who are the Sport Psychology and Exercise Program Faculty Members? There are currently four main faculty members. Dr. Tiffanye Vargas has research interests in coaching education, coaching athletes with hidden disabilities, coaching and athlete efficacy, and verbal persuasion. Dr. Leilani Madrigal has research interests in mental toughness, and sport injury. Dr. Jana Fogaca researches effectiveness of supervision of student applied work with athletes, and also focuses on mental health. Dr. Alison Ede specializes in exercise psychology; her research interests include social networks, and body image. Drs. Vargas, Madrigal, and Fogaca are AASP certified consultants who will be supervising students for CMPC hours.

How many students are in each class? Classes typically have between 10-20 students within the section.

Accreditation: The University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001), the agency responsible for granting regional accreditation to colleges and universities in California, Hawaii, and Guam. It is accredited by the California State Board of Education and is on the list of approved institutions of the American Association of University Women.

Sport psychology lab and resources in the office: The Sport Psychology Lab is located in room Kin 51. There are computers available for students to use. Also, if students need to meet with athletes, the conference room can be reserved. The lab is stocked with books and materials for games that can be rented out. The graduate assistant will have lab hours posted on the outside of the lab.

How can I apply for an assistantship? A limited number of graduate teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified graduate students. Assistantships are normally assigned in April. The Graduate Coordinator will send out applications to interested students.

How can I find you on social media?

We have Facebook (Sport and Exercise Psychology at the Beach @LBSU.SEP) and Instagram (@lbsusportpsychology) accounts.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Master of Science (MS) Degree in Kinesiology with an option in Sport and Exercise Psychology

|Required Coursework (21 units): |

|KIN 512 – Professional Ethics and Standards in Sport and Exercise Psychology (3 units) |

|KIN 572 – Applied Sport Psychology (3 units) |

|KIN 574 – Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology (3 units) |

|KIN 576 – Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis |

|KIN 577 – Sport in U.S. Culture |

|KIN 578 – Psychological Aspect of Exercise and Fitness |

|KIN 696 - Research Methods and Statistical Analysis (3 units) |

| |

|Elective Courses (9 units): |

|Select three of the following courses: |

|KIN 529 – Positive Youth Development and Physical Activity (3 units) |

|KIN 575 – Psychology of Coaching (3 units) |

|KIN 579 – Psychological Aspects of Sport Injury (3 units) |

|KIN 630 – Seminar in Motor Learning (3 units) |

|KIN 633 – Seminar in Sport Psychology (3 units) |

|KIN 697 – Directed Studies (1-3 units) |

| |

|Select option A or B (6 units): |

|Thesis/Project: Complete KIN 698 (6 units) |

|Complete a capstone project by enrolling in KIN 694 and complete three (3) units from Elective courses |

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download