I have a bachelors degree in psychology and quite a bit of research experience. I am currently deciding between a graduate program in Kinesiology and Psychology. I would ultimately like to be a acedemic researcher in the area of exercise science. What would be the best graduate path for me. If I enroll in a Kinesiology program, should I pursue a graduate degree in psychology as well? If so, what would be the best time to do that (between my masters and doctorate work in Kines?)

-- Angela Colcombe (aglass@faroe.vp.uiuc.edu), January 22, 1998

Answers

Angela, It sounds to me that you are more interested in exercise science than sport psychology. I don't see how a graduate degree in psychology will help you. Most graduate programs in exercise science, kines, or exercise physiology require you to do a thesis project. During your course work you will learn more about research and how to do your own. I would advise you if you are interested in sport psych on some level to apply to a program that has both an exercise science and sport psych graduate program. I am attending Western Washington University in the Sport Psych graduate program now and a lot of our classes are intertwined with the exercise physiology graduate students. Just make sure you check out the university first and talk to some of the faculty to make sure that they are interested in the same area of research you are. If you have any more questions please e-mail me. Mandy

-- Mandy Brandt (mandybrandt74@hotmail.com), February 12, 2000.

sorry I typed in my address wrong it is mandybrandt75@hotmail.com

-- mandy (MandyBrandt75@hotmail.com), February 12, 2000.