Pediatric Movement and Physical Activity Laboratory

Graduate Programs

Graduate degrees specializing in Sport Pedagogy & Motor Behavior prepare candidates for successful careers as scholars, leaders and teachers in a variety of higher educational settings and leaders, teachers or coaches in physical education and physical activity programs.

The Pediatric Movement and Physical Activity Laboratory seeks self-motivated, qualified graduate students interested in Sport Pedagogy & Motor Behavior. We offer a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in sport pedagogy and Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Sport Pedagogy & Motor Behavior. Due to the structure and size of this collaborative doctoral degree program, we only consider a limited number of applicants each year.

If you have a bachelor's degree, you can start your graduate study with our Master of Science degree program. Graduates from the Master of Science degree program can choose to pursue their career full time after graduation. If your goal is to pursue a career in higher education, you are strongly encouraged to go on to enroll in our Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Sport Pedagogy & Motor Behavior in order to ensure the continuation of your education efficiently and maximize your own potentials.

Seeking Master’s Degree with a Teaching Licensure

Master of Science students have the option to seek the initial Texas teaching licensure in physical education alongside the Master of Science degree. Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree in disciplines such as Kinesiology or education.

Financial Assistantship and Fellowship

The Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation offers teaching fellowships to qualified graduate students. Learn more at Graduate Assistantships. Email Dr. Tao Zhang at Tao.Zhang@unt.edu if you have questions about completing the application form. The Graduate School offers Robert Toulouse fellowship to qualified graduate students on a very competitive basis. Our Pediatric Movement and Physical Activity Laboratory may (subject to funding availability) offers research assistantships to qualified full-time graduate students to assist in funded research projects. You are strongly encouraged to apply for these assistantships.

Potential applicants should submit application materials (GRE scores, personal statement, resume or curriculum vita, letters of support, unofficial transcripts, etc.) as soon as possible to make sure all possible opportunities are available to you (e.g., university fellowship, department teaching fellowship, etc.). If English is not your native language, you are required to provide TOEFL or IETLS scores to demonstrate your mastery of the English language for graduate studies. You can find detailed application information and admission criteria at the UNT Graduate School website.

Seeking Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree

Master of Science degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in sport pedagogy, and Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Sport Pedagogy & Motor Behavior focus on the research and development of innovative approaches to P-12 physical activity/education that help school-aged children acquire health-related knowledge and skills. The Master of Science degree in Kinesiology is ideal for students who wish to continue their education in a doctoral program. The Ph.D. degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Sport Pedagogy & Motor Behavior prepares students to become university faculty. Our Pediatric Movement and Physical Activity Laboratory faculty provide students with individualized mentorship through progressive milestones towards degree.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Undergraduate students interested in completing research within the field of Sport Pedagogy & Motor Behavior are advised to contact Dr. Tao Zhang at Tao.Zhang@unt.edu for information regarding research opportunities within the Pediatric Movement and Physical Activity Laboratory. The Pediatric Movement and Physical Activity Laboratory requires undergraduate students to commit to at least one semester within the laboratory. However, longer commitments to the lab are favored. Undergraduate students brought on as an assistant within the Pediatric Movement and Physical Activity Laboratory will aid in ongoing research projects and are encouraged to develop their own research ideas. If you are interested in joining our Pediatric Movement and Physical Activity Laboratory as a student researcher and plan to apply for the graduate programs in the near future, please contact us as early as possible. We look forward to your contribution to the success of our programs.