Human Performance

Earn your doctorate in Human Performance with specializations in exercise, health, leisure, and physical education.

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Human Performance, Ph.D.

The Ph.D. in Human Performance program is offered by the Department of Health and Human Performance in the College of Behavioral and Health Science and is designed to train doctoral-level students to become effective researchers and higher education faculty within a rapidly changing education and public service environment and to produce and publish scholarly research. Specializations are offered in exercise science, health, leisure studies, and physical education. Common careers for the graduates include:

  • Researcher
  • University Professor / Faculty
  • Physical Health Policy Analyst
  • Biomechanics Specialist
  • Sports Data Scientist
  • Performance Improvement Specialist

The Ph.D. degree is offered for the purpose of developing doctoral level expertise in research (both applied and theoretical) and as preparation for teaching at the collegiate level. The program is primarily for students with a master's degree in one of these areas, but other applicants may be admitted by completing prerequisite courses and meeting other entry criteria.

Careers
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Careers
Requirements
Faculty
Information

News Briefs

Rawsam Alasmar's profound shift from printing to kinesiology

Rawsam Alasmar's career journey is marked by a profound shift from a successful 23-year tenure in the printing industry to a passionate pursuit of fitness and allied health. With over 9 years of experience as a corrective exercise therapy specialist, he decided to further his education, earning a Ph.D. in Human Performance with a specialization in exercise science from MTSU in 2021. During his doctoral studies, Dr. Alasmar conducted pioneering research using the "PENDL," a newly developed suspension apparatus, to explore its impact on reducing back pain and enhancing various fitness aspects. His exceptional academic foundation, research expertise, and faculty guidance at MTSU paved the way for his selection as the inaugural Post-doctoral Fellow in Performing Arts Health, Science, and Education at Johns Hopkins University. In this role, he applied his profound knowledge of exercise science to research and collaborated on curriculum development, striving to elevate the performance of individuals in the performing arts. Dr. Alasmar firmly believes that performing artists deserve the same level of care and attention as elite athletes in the sports industry. Currently, Dr. Alasmar serves as an Assistant Professor in the Kinesiology Department at Missouri Southern State University and holds the position of Exercise Science Program Coordinator.

Student impressed by mentors, Ph.D. job placement

Preparation is invaluable to any student. Brad Camp, a Ph.D. candidate in Human Performance with an emphasis in Leisure Studies, chose MTSU for that exact reason. Camp experienced firsthand the unique assistance that he and fellow classmates have received. "MTSU has a proven track record of getting Ph.D. students hired across the nation. I have watched office mates and colleagues go out and have success obtaining employment." His keen interest in the importance of leisure as a way to maintain a healthy, well-established society persuaded Camp to continue on to a doctorate. He also believes faculty are indispensable to the program, providing both support and mentorship. "Dr. Gray truly cares about her graduate students, and she prepares them to become professionals once they leave ... Dr. Dunlap has introduced me to a wide variety of scholarship. He is incredibly well read, and he constantly encourages me to read new things." Camp's dissertation focuses on the impact of urban-built environments on social interaction.

News Briefs

Rawsam Alasmar's profound shift from printing to kinesiology

Rawsam Alasmar's career journey is marked by a profound shift from a successful 23-year tenure in the printing industry to a passionate pursuit of fitness and allied health. With over 9 years of experience as a corrective exercise therapy specialist, he decided to further his education, earning a Ph.D. in Human Performance with a specialization in exercise science from MTSU in 2021. During his doctoral studies, Dr. Alasmar conducted pioneering research using the "PENDL," a newly developed suspension apparatus, to explore its impact on reducing back pain and enhancing various fitness aspects. His exceptional academic foundation, research expertise, and faculty guidance at MTSU paved the way for his selection as the inaugural Post-doctoral Fellow in Performing Arts Health, Science, and Education at Johns Hopkins University. In this role, he applied his profound knowledge of exercise science to research and collaborated on curriculum development, striving to elevate the performance of individuals in the performing arts. Dr. Alasmar firmly believes that performing artists deserve the same level of care and attention as elite athletes in the sports industry. Currently, Dr. Alasmar serves as an Assistant Professor in the Kinesiology Department at Missouri Southern State University and holds the position of Exercise Science Program Coordinator.

Student impressed by mentors, Ph.D. job placement

Preparation is invaluable to any student. Brad Camp, a Ph.D. candidate in Human Performance with an emphasis in Leisure Studies, chose MTSU for that exact reason. Camp experienced firsthand the unique assistance that he and fellow classmates have received. "MTSU has a proven track record of getting Ph.D. students hired across the nation. I have watched office mates and colleagues go out and have success obtaining employment." His keen interest in the importance of leisure as a way to maintain a healthy, well-established society persuaded Camp to continue on to a doctorate. He also believes faculty are indispensable to the program, providing both support and mentorship. "Dr. Gray truly cares about her graduate students, and she prepares them to become professionals once they leave ... Dr. Dunlap has introduced me to a wide variety of scholarship. He is incredibly well read, and he constantly encourages me to read new things." Camp's dissertation focuses on the impact of urban-built environments on social interaction.

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CAREERS

The Ph.D. in Human Performance is offered for the purpose of developing doctoral level
expertise in research (both applied and theoretical) and as preparation for teachingat the collegiate level. Some positions currently held by alumni from the doctoralprogram include

  • Athletic trainer
  • Behavioral sleep medicine specialist
  • College athletics head coach
  • Physical education teacher
  • Strength and conditioning coach
  • University professor

Employers of MTSU alumni include

  • Bowling Green State University
  • BYU - Hawaii
  • Columbus State University
  • Cumberland University
  • East Tennessee State University
  • Endicott College, School of Sport Science and Fitness Studies
  • Gustavus Adolphus College
  • Kansas State University
  • Lipscomb University
  • Mesa State University
  • Montana State Universit - Northern
  • National Basketball Association/Brooklyn Nets
  • Roanoke College
  • Syracuse University
  • Taylor University
  • Tennessee Technological University
  • Texas Tech University
  • Trinity Elementary School
  • Troy University
  • University of Tennessee - Martin
  • University of Wisconsin
  • University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  • West Virginia University
  • Western Kentucky University

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