Texas Tech University

Kinesiology & Sport Management Comprehensive Evaluation

All students in a Master of Science degree program in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management must pass a terminal evaluation before graduation. Options for the terminal evaluation vary based on concentration of study and degree program.  A brief descripton of the options are listed below. Students are advised to meet with their academic advisor in their first semester in the program to determine which option best fits their academic and professional goals. 

Master of Science in Kinesiology

Exercise Physiology. Options for the terminal evaluation in this concentration include a thesis, comprehensive examination, or the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) examination. The study guide materials for taking the ACSM CEP exam can be found here.  

Human Performance. Options for the terminal evaluation in this concentration include a thesis, comprehensive examination, passing the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam, or preparation of a manuscript for peer-reviewed journal publication. In order to complete the 'manuscript option' students must a) identify a Human Performance graduate faculty member who agrees to supervise the project; b) agree on a research project to be completed within a specified timeframe; c) write a full-length manuscript formatted using the author guidelines set by an appropriate peer-reviewed target journal;, and lastly, d) have the manuscript approved by the research supervisor then evaluated by the Human Performance faculty.  The manuscript must be of a sufficient quality that it could reasonably be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. 

Motor Behavior/Exercise and Sport Psychology. Options for the terminal evaluation in this concentration include a thesis, comprehensive examination, or preparation of a manuscript for peer-reviewed journal publication as described above under Human Performance for 'manuscript option'.

Master of Science in Sport Management

Options for the terminal evaluation for this degree include a comprehensive examination or submission of a portfolio.  The comprehensive examination will test for mastery of content learned through completion of sport management courses and ability to apply this learning to real-world situations. The portfolio is a documentation and authentic performance-based assessment of your learning experiences and work demonstrating achievement during the internship learning. The portfolio will be graded with the letter grade based on the seven components listed below. 

  1. Description of the internship organization within the sport industry overall and the sub-unit within which you completed your internship. 
  2. Description in general of the responsibilities you performed and the leadership and management opportunities you experienced while an intern. 
  3. Specific examples, such as theories, concepts, ideas, and practices learned in a minimum of four SPMT courses (SPMT 5320 and SPMT 5324 and any two or more SPMT elective courses) of linkages and applications between learning in these courses and the work you completed during your internship.
  4.  Description of the contributions you made during your internship. 
  5.  Reflection on your professional and personal growth during your internship. 
  6. Analysis of professional and personal challenges you experienced during your internship. 
  7. List of recommendations for future interns who might work at your internship site. 

Important Information about Comprehensive Examinations

  • Graduate students must register for the comprehensive examination in their last semester in the program (in the semester that they plan to graduate). 
  • Registration forms must be submitted to Donna Torres by the deadline set by the Graduate School.
  • All important dates for graduate students are available at this link: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/academic/_22SpringDeadlines.php 
  • Comprehensive examinations are organized and scheduled by academic adviors.  Students will be notified of this date by email. 
  • The format of the comprehensive examination varies by concentration and degree.
  • A 'Pass or Fail' grade will be given after the examination.  A 'Pass' grade is needed to graduate.

 

For More Information

Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management

  • Address

    Box 43011, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409
  • Phone

    806.742.3371