Prior to formally applying to the doctoral program, students should familiarize themselves with the research interests of graduate faculty members in the Department of Kinesiology and identify a faculty member whose research agenda aligns with their interests. A prospective applicant should then contact that faculty member to discuss his/her fit with the faculty member's research interests. If possible, prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the MSU campus. When an informal understanding is reached regarding the student's suitability to enter the doctoral program under the guidance of the faculty member, the student may then formally apply to the Graduate School. This does not guarantee a student admission to the doctoral program, but it is a necessary step prior to the formal application.

The following items are required to formally apply to the doctoral degree programs in the Department of Kinesiology:

A completed MSU Graduate School application form
Official transcripts from all institutions attended since high school, students must have completed a master's degree prior to being admitted to the doctoral program
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores
Three professional letters of recommendation, at least two letters should be from university professors from whom the student has taken courses or worked with in a research capacity
A written statement of purpose, which should clearly explain the applicant's research interests and highlight how these interests align with faculty members in the department, particularly the faculty member who the applicant wishes to serve as his/her advisor
An academic writing sample (e.g., a published research article, thesis, or other academic paper)
A curriculum vitae
An international student applying for admission must score a minimum of 550 PBT (79 iBT) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a minimum of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) in addition to meeting all other admission criteria