A researcher is observing exercise testing of a participant. The participant is seated on a bike, wearing a blood pressure cuff, and wearing a mask over their nose and mouth with a long tube connected.

The Department of Kinesiology’s mission is to research, teach and apply knowledge related to movement, exercise and human occupation, with the ultimate goal of enhancing human health, productivity and quality of life. The Department of Kinesiology offers graduate courses that reflect the breadth of the discipline, including biomechanics, exercise psychology, exercise physiology, motor control and behavior, physical activity epidemiology and occupational science.  A minor from the Department of Kinesiology is tailored to each student’s individual interests, career goals, needs and background. The learning goals for the doctoral minor are to demonstrate an understanding of the major current and past theories, research findings, methodologies and techniques in one or more of the broad areas of inquiry represented within the Department of Kinesiology.

Graduate students in other programs at UW–Madison who plan to minor in kinesiology should contact the Department of Kinesiology graduate studies chair early in their graduate program to ensure acceptance into and adequate mentoring in the minor program (see Information for Prospective Students). When students meet with the graduate studies chair, they will fill out a course plan. The department's graduate studies chair, the student’s doctoral committee mentor, and the student must sign the course plan.

The student must complete 9 credits in kinesiology courses such that all of the following conditions are satisfied:

  • All credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above
  • At least 3 credits are taken in courses numbered 700 and above
  • The student receives a satisfactory grade (C or above) for all credits
  • The GPA of the credits counted is at least 3.00
  • All credits are taken as a graduate student

For a full list of our faculty members, please visit our website.