Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Physical Education

The objective of the Ph.D. program in harmony with the philosophy of the College is the education of the whole person; it is concerned not only with imparting of knowledge and the search for knowledge but also with wisdom in the use of that knowledge in the service of people. Persons who wish to study toward the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Physical Education degree at Springfield College must submit a formal application at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which they wish to enroll. Application forms may be obtained from Graduate Admissions.

The requirements for admission are as follows:

• A bachelor’s degree with satisfactory record from an accredited college or university.
• An undergraduate major in physical education equivalent to that offered at Springfield College. If this preparation is incomplete, it must be made up by study in addition to doctoral requirements.
• A superior record at the master’s level or in the first thirty semester hours of graduate study. In some cases, particularly well-qualified persons may by admitted to doctoral study following the completion of their bachelor’s program
• Evidence of personal and professional qualities that show promise of outstanding educational and social leadership.
• A personal interview, prior to registration, with the Department Chair/Program Coordinator, the School Dean and at least one representative from the faculty in physical education.
• Submission of Graduate Record Examination scores taken within five years of the date of the application.

The following section includes information on these topics:

• Doctoral Advisement for the Ph.D. Program
• Residence Requirement
• Transfer of Credit
• Doctor of Philosophy Degree with a Specialization in Teaching and Administration
• Doctor of Philosophy Degree with a Specialization in Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Doctor of Philosophy Degree with a Specialization in Exercise Physiology
• Time Limits
• Publication

Doctoral Advisement for the Ph.D. Program

A student meeting these standards is permitted to undertake doctoral study on a provisional basis during the first semester, if a full-time student, or during the first ten to twelve semester hours of work, if a part-time student.

Each Ph.D. student is guided in the doctoral program by a committee of three members of the faculty with at least two from the student’s major field of study. This committee is appointed during the first semester of the student’s attendance or not later than the completion by the student of ten semester hours of work. The chairperson shall call a meeting of the committee with the student to discuss the student’s training and experience, strengths and weaknesses, and vocational objectives. On the basis of this discussion, along with an evaluation of the student’s credentials and doctoral requirements, the chairperson, on behalf of the committee shall prepare a statement covering the specified requirements of the student’s doctoral program. When the need is indicated, the advisory committee may make modifications in the student’s program or recommend separation.

Residence Requirement

The minimum requirement of the Doctor of Philosophy degree is ninety semester hours of graduate academic credit. The student must spend at least one academic year in full-time graduate study at Springfield College after admission to doctoral study. Residence for the master’s degree at Springfield College or elsewhere does not meet this requirement. Academic credit accepted for the master’s degree may be counted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the doctorate provided it fits into the student’s program and falls within the acceptable time limit for doctoral credit. No credit for correspondence courses is permitted toward the Ph.D. degree. All extension course credits shall be subject to special review.

Transfer of Credit

Students with Springfield College bachelor’s degrees must complete at least forty-five semester hours of Springfield College graduate work. Those with bachelor’s degrees from other institutions must complete at least sixty semester hours of Springfield College graduate work. Beyond this condition, graduate courses in which the student earned a grade of B or better from accredited institutions may be transferred and applied toward the Doctor of Philosophy degree provided that:

• Such work fits into the student’s doctoral program
• It falls within the acceptable time limit for doctoral credit. 
• Ph.D. students who have received both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Springfield College must submit a minimum of thirty semester hours of approved graduate work from one or more other institutions. The regulations pertaining to transfer of credit apply in this situation.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree with a Specialization in Teaching and Administration in Physical Education

The Ph.D. program in Physical Education is designed to provide broad based preparation in the field of physical education and it offers students the opportunity to design a program of study to meet their educational goals. The intent of the program is to expose students to various sub-disciplines in the field from which they will build a specific area of research study. Graduates are well versed in their research area, yet knowledgeable about the many interrelated content areas in the field. This preparation ensures a more holistic and inclusive view of physical education than is found in many programs where specialization in one area is the emphasis.

This approach to graduate education is in concert with the mission of the College, which advocates the education of the whole person in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to humanity. Graduates will have the necessary research expertise to continue as lifelong researchers and contributors to the body of knowledge in physical education. They will be prepared to teach in their research area as well as the various sub-disciplines at all educational levels. Graduates who have focused their studies in administration will be qualified to lead and develop programs in the private and public sectors. The completion of the program is viewed by the College as the first step taken by its graduates in assuming positions of leadership in the field of physical education.

Students seeking more specialized preparation in Exercise Physiology or Sport and Exercise Psychology refer below.

Program of Study

The Ph.D. program in physical education, teaching and administration (generalist), consists of courses and learning experiences in the following five areas:

Physical Education. This is the student’s field of professional specialization. A program of study provided by the physical education faculty will help the student attain a thorough preparation of high quality. The program includes course work in pedagogical content knowledge and issues in higher education designed to prepare Ph.D. students for entry to a higher education teaching career.

Research. Theory and practice in research are to include problems of logical thinking, the scientific method, and techniques of research, as well as a piece of original research, the doctoral dissertation, conducted under faculty supervision. The dissertation is the crowning achievement of doctoral study. The problem selected should grow out of the candidate’s personal and professional interests. The dissertation may be an original contribution to knowledge or an original application of existing knowledge to the solution of a practical problem in the field.

Dissertation area. Where the general nature of the intended dissertation can be identified sufficiently early in a student’s program, course work and other registrations are recommended to enhance the student’s qualifications to conduct the dissertation.

Electives. Selection of electives provides effective support of the total Ph.D. program and results from consultation between the student and the advisory committee.

The actual number of semester hours is likely to be more than the minimum stated below. Flexibility is encouraged to provide for the particular educational needs of each student. The requirements in each case will be determined not only on the extent of graduate credit accumulated, but with a view toward optimum preparation for the student in the intended field of service.

The allocation of semester hours of credit in the five areas is as follows:

 

	S.H.
Physical Education	32-34
Research (including dissertation)	32
Dissertation Area	9
General Education	6
Electives	6-10
Minimum Total	90

Doctor of Philosophy Degree with a Specialization in Sport and Exercise Psychology

A doctorate in physical education in sport and exercise psychology serves to further illuminate the humanics philosophy of Springfield College. Integral to the philosophy is the integration of the spirit, mind, and body, the whole person, for leadership in service to humanity. Sport and exercise psychology is a sub-discipline of the sport sciences/physical education and as such provides the student an opportunity to examine the integrated mind/body responses in an exercise and sport context.

Students in the program would, then, gain an understanding of the scientific, sociological, psychological, and research bases of sport, as is necessary in working with athletes in a performance enhancement context. A Ph.D. degree is suggested for certification in the field. Upon successful completion of the program, students may seek certification through the organizations for sport psychology, The Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), in conjunction with the United States Olympic Committee(USOC), and the American Psychology Association (APA). 

Graduates of the sport and exercise psychology Ph.D. program will be prepared primarily to teach sport and exercise psychology at all educational levels and teach in the areas of sociology and philosophy of sport. Graduates will be prepared to contribute to the current knowledge base of the field by continuing research in sport and exercise psychology, and will be qualified to work as a sport psychology consultant at all levels for athletes, athletic departments, coaches, exercise and fitness programs, and national governing bodies (NGB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as well as the USOC.

 

Program of Study  

Sport and Exercise Psychology. This is the student’s field of professional specialization. Course work in sport and exercise psychology, applied sport and exercise psychology, sport psychometrics, and special seminars in sport and exercise psychology is included in the student’s program of study.

Related Course Work. Course requirements are included to support and supplement the specialization in sport and exercise psychology and include, but are not limited to, course work related to philosophy, sociology, physiology of sport, motor learning and control, motor development, psychopathology, and issues and techniques in counseling. The program includes course work in pedagogical content knowledge and issues in higher education designed to prepare Ph.D. students for entry to a higher education teaching career.

Research. Theory and practice in research are to include problems of logical thinking, the scientific method, and techniques of research, as well as original research, the doctoral dissertation, conducted under faculty supervision. The dissertation is the capstone experience of doctoral study. The problem selected to study should grow out of the candidate’s personal and professional interests. The dissertation may be an original contribution to knowledge or an original application of existing knowledge to the solution of a practical problem in the field.

General Education. Consistent with its philosophy of education, Springfield College is concerned in the entire educational program, both undergraduate and graduate, not only with a students thorough preparation in the field of professional specialization, but also with liberal education, personal growth, and awareness of the surrounding society.  Consequently, a series of nonprofessional courses is included as an integral part of the program of the Ph.D. student to help in the attainment of breadth in development as a sensitive and growing individual, as a sophisticated, contributing citizen, and as an educator with wide interests and goals.

Electives. Selection of electives provides effective support of the total Ph.D. program and results from consultation between the student and the advisors.

The allocation of semester hours of credit in the five areas is as follows:

	S.H.
Sport and Exercise Psychology	12-20
Related course work	34
Research	32
General Education	6
Electives	8-10
Minimum Total	90

Doctor of Philosophy Degree with a Specialization in Exercise Physiology 

From the earliest days following its founding in 1885, Springfield College has been known world wide as a pioneer in physical education teaching and scholarship. The specialization in exercise physiology at the doctoral level is greatly influenced by such legendary faculty members as Dr. Peter Karpovich, an eminent scholar in exercise physiology and co-founder of the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Karpovich taught at the college from 1927 to 1961 and was internationally recognized for his innovative physiological research.

The Ph.D. program with a specialization in exercise physiology provides students with knowledge in theory and laboratory techniques and teaches students how to further develop and promote research skills. The program offers a personalized approach to graduate education, with opportunity for self-directed research eligible for presentation to the American College of Sports Medicine and publication in peer reviewed journals. 

Program of Study 

Exercise Physiology. This is the student’s field of professional specialization. Course work in exercise physiology, biochemistry, cardiopulmonary physiology and exercise, neuromuscular physiology and exercise, environmental physiology, medical physiology, and graded exercise testing and electrocardiography is included in the student’s program of study.

Related Course work. Course requirements are included to support and supplement the specialization in exercise physiology and include, but are not limited to, cell and molecular biology, cellular physiology, gross anatomy, philosophy of sport, sociology of sport, sport psychology, and biomechanics. The program includes course work in pedagogical content knowledge and issues in higher education designed to prepare Ph.D. students or entry to a higher education teaching career.

Research. Theory and practice in research are to include problems of logical thinking, the scientific method, and techniques of research, as well as a piece of original research, the doctoral dissertation, conducted under faculty supervision. The dissertation is the crowning achievement of doctoral study. The problem selected should grow out of the candidate’s personal and professional interests. The dissertation may be an original contribution to knowledge or an original application of existing knowledge to the solution of a practical problem in the field.

General Education. Consistent with its philosophy of education, Springfield College is concerned in its entire educational program, both undergraduate and graduate, not only with a students thorough preparation in the field of professional specialization, but also with liberal education, personal growth, and awareness of the surrounding social scene. Consequently, a series of nonprofessional courses is included as an integral part of the program of the Ph.D. student to help in the attainment of breadth in development as a sensitive and growing person, as a sophisticated citizen, and as an educator with wide interests and goals.

Electives. Selection of electives provides effective support of the total Ph.D. program and results from consultation between the student and the advisory committee.

The allocation of semester hours of credit in the five areas is as follows:

	S.H.
Exercise Physiology	21
Research (including dissertation)	31
Related Course Work	25
Electives	9
Minimum Total	86

Time Limits

In view of the present rate of expansion of knowledge and the general desirability of completing the requirements for the Ph.D. within a definite period of time, the following time limitation will be observed: Graduate academic work, to be given full credit toward the requirements for the Ph.D., whether in transfer or completed in residence, must have been secured within ten years prior to the date of one’s candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. In special circumstances, credit for work completed beyond the ten-year limit will be recognized, but only upon special recommendation of the student’s advisory committee and approval by the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs.

All requirements for the Ph.D. degree, including the dissertation must be completed within a period of five years after the student has passed the qualifying examination and has been matriculated as a candidate for the degree. Failure to complete the requirements within the time limit stated above will mean that the student will be expected to repeat the qualifying examination in order to reestablish candidacy.

Publication

As part of the requirement for the Ph.D. degree, upon passing the oral examination, candidates must make the necessary arrangements to provide for the publication of the dissertation at their own expense. The dissertation may be published completely in book form, professional journal, or in microform.