Kinesiology and Health Sciences - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

B.C Matthews Hall (BMH)

B.C Matthews Hall (BMH) on Waterloo's Campus, across Columbia St W.

Advance your knowledge and pursue a career in health, aging, illness and injury prevention with the nationally and internationally recognized PhD in Science in Kinesiology and Health Sciences program. Understand cellular to societal implications of physical activity, nutrition and lifestyle, preparing you for careers in a wide range of health fields. 

In this program, you'll complete graduate courses including cross-disciplinary seminars and specialized graduate research seminars, comprehensive examinations, contribute to a growing body of knowledge through research and submit your work to peer-reviewed presentations and publications.  

Your coursework and research can be focused in one of three areas: biomechanics, neuroscience or physiology and nutrition, and within these there is a strong emphasis on aging, injury and disease prevention, health promotion and rehabilitation. 

Program overview

Department/School: Kinesiology and Health Sciences
Faculty: Faculty of Health
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April), Spring (May - August)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Doctoral, Research
Length of program: 48 months (full-time)
Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
Study option(s): Thesis

Application deadlines

  • February 1 (for admission in September)
  • June 1 (for admission in January of the following year)
  •  October 1 (for admission in May of the following year)

Key contacts

Alicia Nadon
alicia.nadon@uwaterloo.ca

Considerations for international students before submitting an application

While the Faculty of Health at the University of Waterloo values international students in our graduate programs, we can only accept a small proportion of these students. 

Guaranteed funding packages may not be able to cover all tuition and living expenses incurred during a graduate program and students are encouraged to understand more about the cost of completing their graduate program before applying.

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • A Master's degree with a minimum 75% average in relevant field (normally Kinesiology, Recreation and Leisure Studies or Health Studies and Gerontology, but other degrees in Life and Social Sciences could be suitable as well)
  • Letter stating research interests and why the student wishes to pursue graduate studies

Degree requirements

Application materials

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the application documents web page for more information about this requirement
    • If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion
  • Transcript(s)
  • Writing sample
    • Submit one copy of a term paper, research project, or thesis written during the students last year of Master's studies
  • References
    • Three references are required from faculty members who taught the student while in a Master's program. Normally, one must be from the Master's supervisor
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    • TOEFL 100 (writing 26 speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)

Tuition and fees