MA in Kinesiology, Financial Aid & Scholarships
Saint Mary's MA in Kinesiology is designed to help you learn valuable skills, network, and find opportunities that will help you in your current or future career.
Our Graduate Coordinator Fellowships provide opportunities for our students to gain real-world, hands-on experience working in an NCAA Division I Athletic Department—in fact, many of our Coordinator Fellowship graduates have gone on to work at other universities and athletic departments in their field. In addition, our Leadership and Engagement scholarships give students the chance to turn their experience and contributions to the classroom into some extra funding for their degree.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Each year the Graduate Kinesiology program offers different opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in a small-but-nationally-competitive NCAA Division I environment. To learn more about these positions, please click the links below.
Graduate Student Coordinator Fellowships:
The students hired for these positions will receive an academic scholarship each semester in addition to being paid hourly.
Athletic Compliance - Hiring for Fall 2025 (See Job Description)
Supervisor: Associate Athletic Director for Compliance
Athletic Events and Facilities
Supervisor: Ed Arnold, Associate Athletics Director for Events and Facilities
Athletic Strength and Conditioning
Supervisor: Cody Butcher, Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Performance
Athletic Communications - Hiring for Fall 2025 (See Job Description)
Supervisor: Ryan Barnett, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
Check out our video introduction to the position from Athletic Communications!
Athletic Development - Hiring for Fall 2025 (See Job Description)
Supervisor: Staci Byrne, Associate Athletics Director for Development
Athletic Internal Business Operations
Supervisor: Zack Wohlford, Director of Business Operations
Athletic Student Services - Hiring for Fall 2025 (See Job Description)
Supervisor: Breanna Saukas, Assistant Athletic Director for Student Athlete Support Services
For consideration for the open Coordinator positions, please complete your SMC MA in Kinesiology application and email your cover letter to Collin Skeen at cas38@stmarys-ca.edu.
Graduate Student Teaching Opportunities
Students enrolled in the Graduate Kinesiology Program are eligible to apply to teach one of the Undergraduate Physical Education courses. Courses in the past have included Weight Training, Body Conditioning, Tennis, Golf, and Archery.
Graduate Kinesiology Leadership Scholarship
The Graduate Kinesiology Leadership Scholarship is given to incoming students who have demonstrated academic excellence and engagement throughout their undergraduate and/or professional career.
To be considered for the Graduate Kinesiology Leadership Scholarship, please submit an additional essay of up to 1,000 words. In this essay, please explain how you would demonstrate leadership during your time in SMC's MA in Kinesiology program and afterwards in your professional career. Please consider the Lasallian principles (social justice, respect for all persons, and an inclusive community) upon which Saint Mary's is founded.
This application essay may be uploaded in the "Additional Requirements" section of your SMC application or emailed directly to cas38@stmarys-ca.edu.
Director's Engagement Scholarship
The Graduate Kinesiology Director's Engagement Scholarship will be awarded to students who are engaged in the Graduate Kinesiology Program outside the classroom and actively build community among our students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Students awarded this scholarship will also exemplify academic excellence and contribute to the process of shared inquiry in the classroom.
Applicants should submit a 2-page statement that addresses the following: 1. The qualifications listed above, and 2. A proposal to foster community among Graduate Kinesiology current and future students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
Recipients of this award commit to implementing their proposal for building community during the term in which they receive the scholarship.
Dr. Craig Johnson Scholarship
Dr. Craig Johnson was the embodiment of a Lasallian educator at Saint Mary’s College for over four decades. He served as the Director of the Graduate Kinesiology Program for sixteen years and was integral in fostering its growth during and beyond his time in that role. Dr. Johnson is an inspirational and enthusiastic teacher who was always a strong advocate for students, athletics, the college, and community.
His commitment and dedication to education has been passed on to MA Kinesiology students for over 40 years, and can be seen in their careers as they have epitomized the authentic, kind, and gracious person that Dr. Johnson is, as they lead their respective teams, departments and organizations. He lives the Lasallian principle of honoring and respecting humanity irrespective of social status, race, gender and class privilege.
Dr. Johnson retired in 2022 and this scholarship was created in honor and recognition of his legacy.
Private Scholarships
Students may also apply for private scholarships through websites such as Fastweb.
Graduate and Professional Student Development Funds
Some funding is also available for independent research and professional development in the form of grants through the Graduate & Professional Student Research and Development Fund.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year is $1185 per unit and the program is a total of 30 units, bringing the total cost of tuition for our MA to $35,550.
There are several types of financial assistance available for our students to help cover the cost of tuition including federal financial aid, scholarships, and student employment opportunities—see below for more details.
Dr. Craig Johnson Scholarship
Saint Mary's Graduate Kinesiology program is excited to introduce our new Dr. Craig Johnson Scholarship, available to students starting in 2024. Dr. Johnson previously served as Program Director for the Kinesiology grad program and his commitment to education has been passed on to MA Kinesiology students for over 40 years. His lasting influence can be seen throughout the careers of his former students and we hope this new scholarship will epitomize the authentic, kind, and gracious presence Dr. Johnson has contributed to the SMC community.
You can support our Graduate Kinesiology students by donating to the Craig Johnson Scholarship Fund.
School and Department Information
Derek Marks
Program Director, Graduate Programs in Kinesiology
dwm1@stmarys-ca.edu
Collin Skeen
Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruitment
cas38@stmarys-ca.edu
925-631-4190