The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Department of Health and Kinesiology(HK) has actually been forming researchers and practitioners given that 1874. Part of the College of Applied Health Sciences, it uses graduate programs spanning health, rehab, and human movement, the department draws students severe about both research and practice– with faculty mentorship and an interdisciplinary community at the heart of the experience.
We overtook Nicolette Suchon, a Wisconsin native with a background in mentor and training, who completed her PhD in Kinesiology in 2025 and is now a tenure-track assistant teacher at the University of Wisconsin– La Crosse– to provide you a direct take a look at what graduate research study in the department is actually like.
Her path shows exactly the kind of journey the department is built for: somebody with deep used experience who can be found in to establish a research study identity, found the best professors match, and left positioned for an academic profession. She shares what the program provided her below.
I have no previous research study experience. Will I still be accepted into PhD in Kinesiology program?
Yes, you can be accepted. There are no prerequisite courses required for admission. The individual statement brings one of the most weight, asking you to identify which faculty member you wish to work with and why you’re a good fit for their work. Intellectual alignment with a faculty member matters more than a formal research study CV.
Suchon came in with years of classroom and training experience however minimal official research study skills. What mattered more was discovering the best faculty fit.
The Pedagogical Kinesiology Lab is led by Drs. Kim Graber and Amelia Woods, along with Partner Teacher Kevin Richards– scholars whose work on teacher preparation and socialization define the field.
“I was drawn to how their research study and teaching matched my interest in preparing future educators and saw the program as a place to grow toward a scholastic career,” she says.
Can I deal with the coursework without a research background?
Yes, the program is built to establish your research study abilities, even if you’re starting from scratch. The Kinesiology PhD needs a minimum of 64 credit hours, with a strong focus on innovative statistics and research approaches. Suchon discovered those early courses demanding and intimidating, however they ended up being the most developmental part of her doctoral training. “They not only prepared me for my dissertation, but also totally moved how I understand and value research study,” she says.
When asked how those skills integrated in the program help at her existing job, she states, “They offered me the foundation and confidence to think critically, design significant research studies, and engage with research study in ways I couldn’t before.”
At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, students can develop strong relationships
with peers, with a real sense of shared assistance. Source: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign What is social life like for beginners? It’s an inviting, community-driven environment where you can construct connections, discover interests, and prepare for what follows. For Suchon, her lab mates quickly ended up being like a 2nd household– encouraging and constantly encouraging her to do her finest, making her time at Illinois meaningful.
A huge part of settling in was Julie Jenkins, the graduate administrator, who made a point of understanding every trainee by name. “From my very first year, she knew my name and always greeted me with excitement,” Suchon states. “She made time to link, and she played such a huge function in making Freer Hall seem like home.”
Does the program consist of hands-on experience?
Yes, it does. The department runs iPALS (Illinois Physical Activity and Life Skills)– a complimentary summer season program with Champaign System 4 Schools providing physical activity, nutrition education, and social-emotional learning to children from low-income households.
Suchon was included across several summer seasons, ultimately entering the Program Director role in her last year. “That experience taught me a great deal about the complexities of running a program– from company and interaction to analytical and flexibility,” she states.
For Suchon, the program went beyond academics, using real-world insight and the self-confidence to step straight into a faculty role. Source: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
How strong is the program’s profession support?
The department sets structured expert development with direct professors mentorship that continues after graduation. Department-sponsored conferences build networks that translate into real research collaborations. Working along with faculty also provides trainees a ground-level view of what a scholastic profession appears like in practice.
“A number of those relationships have resulted in ongoing cooperations in my research,” says Suchon. Her advisor stayed invested well past the dissertation too and continues to play an active function in her career advancement. “Whether it was resolving concepts, navigating research study, or just checking in, I always understood I had somebody in my corner,” Suchon says.
What do you wish you knew before beginning your PhD program?
Develop your support system early– it will bring you through the difficult stretches, Suchon recommends. The department offers pre-doctoral training through regular seminars and symposiums where peer relationships form that last well beyond graduation.
“Having a strong support system makes the challenging minutes more workable and the terrific minutes feel a lot more significant,” Suchon states.
Learn more about University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Department of Health and Kinesiology.
Follow the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, College of Applied Health Sciences on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.