Human Performance
Earn your doctorate in Human Performance with concentrations in exercise physiology, public health, leisure, and physical education.
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. Concentrations are available in:
Common careers for the graduates include:
- Researcher
- University Professor / Faculty
- Physical Health Policy Analyst
- Exercise Physiologists
- Sports Data Scientist
- Performance Improvement Specialist
The Ph.D. in Human Performance 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.
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.
Human Performance, Ph.D.
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 teaching at the collegiate level. Some positions currently held by alumni from the doctoral program include:
- Athletic trainer
- Behavioral sleep medicine specialist
- College athletics head coach
- Exercise physiologists
- Physical education teacher
- Strength and conditioning coach
- University professor
Employers of MTSU Ph.D. in Human Performance 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 University - 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
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
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