Opportunities for Graduate Students

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Opportunities for Graduate Students

Research Opportunities - Research conducted within the Department of Kinesiology ranges from basic to applied and is conducted within laboratories as well as in naturalistic settings. All graduate students in the Department of Kinesiology are encouraged and welcome to participate in collaborative research activities. Learn more about the types of research that is conducted within the department by reviewing this website.

Outreach Opportunities - The majority of faculty within the department participate in outreach activities within the community and around the world. In most areas of study within the department, graduate students are expected to share the knowledge they have gained in their graduate studies with those less fortunate. Recent departmental outreach activities include:

Providing a comprehensive physical assessment program for Auburn University's campus
Offering a Sport Analysis Program for Auburn University athletics and other sports teams in the community.
Providing an Athletic Training research program for Auburn University athletics and local high schools
Participating in a summer camp in Arizona for children with visual impairments

Measuring exercise behavior for a campus-wide physical activity program

Offering preschool workshops in Costa Rica

Conducting a sport education physical education program in Russia

Offering an afterschool physical activity program at Auburn Day Care

Participating in a high autonomy physical play program for preschoolers

Teaching in schools

Participating in scholarly outreach through Fort Benning

and the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory at Ft. Rucker

Holding a Marching, Music and Medicine conference

Providing an Exercise Physiology program for the Auburn University Marching Band

Assisting with a variety of departmental, college, and university outreach programs.

Teaching Opportunities - Graduate students who are awarded Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) have the opportunity to teach at the university level in the Physical Activity (PHED) program. A variety of physical activity courses are available to teach incorporating the various aspects of health-related fitness and promoting life-time physical activity. Occasionally doctoral students/candidates are given the opportunity to teach professional courses within the majors program.

Professional Development Opportunities - The Department of Kinesiology provides a 2-day, yearly GTA orientation to help prepare our teaching assistants for teaching at the university level. Throughout the year, Dr. Jared Russell provides a comprehensive professional development and training program for departmental GTAs. Inaddition, the Biggio Center on Auburn's campus provides instructional development for GTAs employed on Auburn's campus. This center also offers a program called Preparing Future Faculty for graduate students who are planning a future in higher education.

Awards & Funding Opportunities - Funding opportunities for tuition support can be achieved through the appointment of a Graduate Teaching Assistantship. All Graduate Teaching Assistants at Auburn University holding at least 25 percent appointments receive concurrent Graduate Teaching Fellowships. Assistantships in the Department of Kinesiology are 33 percent appointments. This means that GTAs will be expected to work 13-15 hours per week in the job. These Fellowships: (1) pay for university tuition (up to 15 hours per Fall and Spring term only), (2) Summer term is not a full tuition waiver but out of state tuition wavier is provided, (3) student fees, and (4) special course fees. GTAs are limited to 40 hours for master's students and doctoral students who have matriculated from a master's program or 80 hours for students in a direct doctoral track. Renewal of the Fellowship is contingent upon continuing departmental support, a high level of academic performance, excellent performance as a graduate teaching assistant, and satisfactory progress toward the degree. Acceptance of the Fellowship requires the payment of a registration fee each semester. There is an additional fee per semester for international students. Some assistantships are funded by outside agencies and may have the benefits of an extra stipend or a 12 month appointment. Read more about this opportunity on this website or visit the AU Graduate School website with regard to funding opportunities.

Funding for graduate student research is also available on Auburn's campus. Visit the AU Graduate School for more information about these types of funding opportunities.

Travel Funding for conferences is also available for students who are earning a graduate degree at Auburn University and is actively engaged in research activities. Travel support to conferences is available for graduate students through the College of Education and the AU Graduate School. Visit the Forms and Policies section of the Graduate School homepage.

Graduate Student Mentorship - The Department of Kinesiology prides itself it providing a quality graduate program for its students. One that is rich in scholarly work and opportunity. One of the department's strongest assets is our faculty and their willingness to mentor and train graduate students for future employment and scholarly endeavors. Auburn is the university to attend if you are looking for faculty support and involvement. Students who graduate the Department of Kinesiology at Auburn University report great satisfaction with their educational experience.