The doctoral degree concentration in Cognitive and Motor Neuroscience is designed to prepare students who are competent theoretical or applied researchers, university teachers, and leaders in outreach to educational units, government agencies, and professional associations.  Motor development is viewed as a life-long process, with change occurring throughout the lifespan. 

The faculty seek to develop scholars who examine these life-cycle changes in motor behavior, not only to systematically describe their nature and extent, but also to study the processes and subsystems underlying change and to explain and predict such changes.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete all MSU and KIN requirements for the PhD degree, including area of concentration, breadth requirement, supporting area cognate, research cognate, research practicum, comprehensive exams, and dissertation. The exact program of study is specified in an individual program plan approved by the student’s guidance committee. Typical courses in the concentration include:

• KIN 860 – Growth and Motor Behavior (3 credits)
• KIN 861 – Growth, Maturation, and Physical Activity (3 credits)
• KIN 840 – Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Activity (3 credits)
• KIN 960 – Current Issues in Motor Behavior (3-9 credits)
• KIN 990 – Independent Study in Kinesiology (1-6 credits)
• FCE 822 – Assessment of the Young Child (3 credits)
• FCE 824 – Middle Childhood Development and Interventions: Family School Community Setting (3 credits)
• FCE 860 – Youth Policy and Positive Youth Development (3 credits)
• FCE 861 – Community Youth Development (3 credits)

Students in the growth and motor development concentration often complete external cognates in areas of study such as family and child ecology, psychology, K-12 administration, and teacher education. Consult the Academic Programs and Description of Courses catalogs for a full listing of academic programs and courses.

Expectations

The majority of KIN doctoral students prepare for careers in higher education; therefore, it is important that they acquire sufficient expertise and experience in research, teaching, and service to prepare for successful careers in the academy. Departmental expectations related to that goal are described in Expectations of Ph.D. Students, and related learning experiences are described in Professional Development Opportunities. These expectations are individualized for students during advising and guidance committee meetings.

Admissions

Graduate Studies Secretary
Department of Kinesiology
308 W. Circle Drive, Room 134
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1049
Phone: (517) 355-4736
Fax: (517) 353-2944
Email: kingrad@msu.edu

Contact Information

Contact the following faculty member about the concentration in Cognitive and Motor Neuroscience.

Dr. Florian Kagerer
Department of Kinesiology
308 W. Circle Drive, Room 126F
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 432-2907
Fax: (517) 355-1689
E-mail: fkagerer@msu.edu

Dr. Mei Hua-Lee
Department of Kinesiology
308 W. Circle Drive, Room 126C
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-353-4652
Fax: (517) 353-2944
E-mail: mhlee@msu.edu

Dr. Matthew Pontifex
Department of Kinesiology
308 W. Circle Drive, Room 126D
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 432-5105
Fax: (517) 355-1689
E-mail: pontifex@msu.edu

Dr. Rajiv Ranganathan
Department of Kinesiology
308 W. Circle Drive, Room 126C
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-353-6491
Fax: (517) 353-2944
E-mail: rrangana@msu.edu

Dr. Janet Hauck
Department of Kinesiology
308 W. Circle Drive, Room 126G
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-353-0728
Fax: (517) 353-2944
E-mail: hauckja1@msu.edu