Psychology of Physical Activity
Learn Psychology of Physical Activity Theory and Conduct Research
- Think critically about the areas related to the correlates and determinants of physical activity, mental health benefits of physical activity, behavior change techniques, and the design, implementation, and testing of evidence-based physical activity interventions.
- Develop a line of research inquiry
- Apply various research designs and advanced statistics to become academic, governmental, or industry-based researchers, educators in higher education, or industry consultants.
The concentration in Psychology of Physical Activity prepares students to teach, conduct research, and apply knowledge in areas related to the correlates and determinants of physical activity, mental health benefits of physical activity, behavior change techniques, and the design, implementation, and testing of evidence-based physical activity interventions. Completion of this concentration will not lead to students becoming licensed psychologists.
Career Opportunities
The program is designed for students to enter a career as a professor and/or scientist in the areas of Psychology of Physical Activity, Exercise Psychology, and related fields.
The Georgia State Difference
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Psychology of Physical Activity is a full-time on-campus program that can be completed in four to five (4-5) years. Coursework focuses on research design, methodology, statistics, mental health benefits of physical activity, and behavior change. The program of study is complemented by the pursuit of a cognate (companion) area of study. Students in this concentration may be interested in pursuing cognate studies in public health, psychology, quantitative analysis, counseling and psychological services, and neuroscience. Students also complete a set of independent studies throughout the program, including successful completion of comprehensive exams and a dissertation. Students have the opportunity to present their research at national and international conferences and publish in top tier journals in the disciplines of exercise science and psychology.
Features of the Program
Internationally recognized faculty with a wide range of interests.
Our graduate faculty members are thought leaders in the areas of (1) physical activity intervention design and implementation (2) meta-theoretical perspectives of personality and motivation, and (3) mental health benefits of physical activity and exercise. In the past decade, they have collectively published more than 80 articles and book chapters, and given more than 60 presentations across two continents. Our faculty have received research awards from non-profit and industry sectors, and are proud to provide high quality individualized mentoring to graduate students pursuing training within the concentration.
PREPP (Psychological Research in Exercise and Physical Activity Promotion) Lab.
The Department of Kinesiology and Health is proud to house the newly established (2019) PREPP Lab for focused study on psychological aspects of physical activity and exercise. The laboratory boasts more than $30K worth of fitness and research related equipment that is available for students to use in their independent research studies. Students can pursue research questions focused on psychological outcomes of acute and chronic resistance and/or aerobic exercise, psychological correlates of objectively and subjectively measured physical activity behavior, and the design and implementation of physical activity interventions for a wide range of populations. Collaborations with scholars in Public Health, Psychology, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Nursing, and Counseling and Psychological Services provide additional support for scientific exploration of research questions focused on psychological aspects of physical activity.
Focus on training to be a scholar and an educator.
Students in the program will receive training and mentorship in both teaching and research. Students will take rigorous research methodology courses and have the opportunity to not only work with our esteemed faculty as graduate research assistants (GRAs) but also work to establish their own line of research where they learn to lead projects from study conception to publication. Students also receive mentorship in pedagogy through one-on-one work with faculty within a professional learning community. Students will have the opportunity to be instructor-of-record for undergraduate courses in exercise science and work with faculty to design their own course content, assignments, and assessments.
Rebecca Ellis
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Oglethorpe University
Master of Science, Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Florida
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Florida
In general, Dr. Ellis focuses on understanding and promoting physical activity participation among inactive and high-risk populations by assessing barriers to and potential mediators of behavior change. Over the past 10 years, Dr. Ellis has led the implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of Desire2Move, a behavioral physical activity intervention of her design that targets improvements in physical activity among university employees.
Kathyrn Wilson
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Shenandoah University
Master of Science, East Carolina University
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Georgia
Post-Doctoral Training: Virginia Tech, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Kathryn Wilson is interested in improving health through physical activity promotion. Her research uses an integrative, meta-theoretical approach to understanding how personality impacts the success of evidence-based methods to behavioral health promotion. Her current work is focused on describing the moderating effects of fundamental traits on the cognitive and affective determinants and mental health outcomes of physical activity. Her long-term goal is to adapt the content and delivery of current evidence-based interventions to maximize reach and effectiveness of physical activity promotion efforts by leveraging individual differences. Dr. Wilson entertains a wide range of research partnerships to understand the breadth and applicability of personality theory in understanding physical activity behavior and health. Finally, Dr. Wilson employs advanced statistical techniques to further the development and validation of psychological measurement in the context of health and human behavior. To learn more about her work, click here.
Andrew Corbett (Co-Chair with Deborah Shapiro HPE – Research Focus in Adapted Physical Activity)
If you have a passion for physical activity promotion and a desire to pursue a career as academic, governmental, or industry-based researchers, educators in higher education, or industry consultants, the Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Psychology of Physical Activity program may be right for you.
If you meet the following requirements, consider applying*:
Graduate GPA ≥ 3.30
GRE scores: Verbal ≥ 155 and Quantitative ≥ 151; TOEFL for international applicants
Strong desire to contribute to physical activity promotion for healthy and clinical populations.
Strong background in psychology, public health, exercise science, or a related field at the master’s level
*Meet with a potential research faculty advisor prior to applying.
Graduate Assistantships in Teaching or Research
Tuition waivers and competitive stipends are available to students who teach in the department’s thriving undergraduate program. Additionally, graduate research assistantships (which include waivers and stipends) are open to students with research interests and experience in sport, exercise, and health psychology.
CEHD Dean’s Research Doctoral Fellowship
Neuroscience Institute’s Brains & Behavior Fellowship
Financial Aid
Visit Student Financial Services at sfs.gsu.edu, and the college’s Awards, Scholarships and Fellowships page for more information on financing your education.
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Contact Us
Rebecca Ellis, Ph.D.
Kathryn Wilson, Ph.D.
Exercise Physiology
Georgia State University Sports Arena
125 Decatur St. SE, Suite 137
Atlanta, GA 30303
