The doctoral program in Health & Sport Pedagogy focuses on research, scholarship, and leadership opportunities that prepare individuals for academic positions in departments of physical education/ kinesiology at universities and colleges. This is a research-focused program, which positions graduating students to engage in empirical research and contribute to knowledge generation in the field. Students may focus on research in their personal areas of interest within the fields of health, physical education, and/or adapted physical education.
Program Highlights
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Intensive research opportunities focusing on physical education, physical activity, and health-related content for youth and adults populations, including those with disabilities
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Award winning faculty members provide mentoring in the areas of research, teaching, service, and scholarship
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Students are encouraged to engage in national and international organizations through service and the presentation and publication of empirical data
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Courses based on current empirical research encourage students to think critically about the fields of physical education, physical activity, and adapted physical education
Careers
Check out these ideas from 51Ç鱨վ's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the . A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School
Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of public or private elementary or secondary level schools.
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Instructional Coordinators
Develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology in specialized fields that provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses. Includes educational consultants and specialists, and instructional material directors.
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.
Requirements
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An application to the University.
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Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate courses and degrees complete.
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One writing sample. 
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A current copy of your resume or Curriculum Vitae.
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Three letters of recommendation from professional sources qualified to assess your suitability for study at the doctoral level. One letter of recommendation should be from a graduate advisor or faculty member and one should be from a current or former supervisor.
For Admission to the Health & Sport Pedagogy Program
Official GRE scores taken within the last 5 years that indicate a total score of at least 297 (1000 by former scoring standard) for both the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections and a minimum of 4.0 on the analytical writing component. While these scores are recommended, other portions of the total application package will be considered. The Sport and Recreation Management emphasis area will also accept GMAT scores of 470 or higher.
Applicants whose native language is not English must also submit current scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of at least 550.
Potential students are encouraged to make contact with either Dr. Justin Haegele (jhaegele@odu.edu) or Dr. Xihe Zhu (x2zhu@odu.edu) prior to submitting their application to determine if there is alignment in research areas of interest.
Featured Courses
Cost of Attendance
We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance.Â
Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending 51Ç鱨վ, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Graduate Assistantships
Competitive graduate assistantships, with a tuition waiver, are available for select qualified fulltime students.
Dissertation Fellowship
Students may apply for a competitive college-wide dissertation fellowship during the dissertation phase.
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