Ph.D. in Education, Health & Behavior Studies – Physical Education and Motor Development Focus.
The University of North Dakota (USA) is now accepting applications for our doctoral program for the Fall 2026 intake. We invite applicants who will have completed their master’s degree by the summer of 2026 and have research interests in physical education or motor development to apply. Priority will be given to applications submitted by January 15th. Applicants who meet the application deadline may also be considered for financial support (tuition waiver and assistantship position).
Required materials include official transcripts (GPA 3.5 or above), a writing sample, three letters of recommendation, a recent CV/resume, a statement of goals (specifying a potential major supervisor), and proof of English language proficiency (for international applicants). Candidates with prior research in PE, Applied Health Education, Motor Development, or K-12 school instructional experiences and related fields (community or school intervention) experience are encouraged to apply. Dr. Liu’s research focused on Models-based Practice in Physical Education (e.g., Sport Education Model, Play Practice), Content Knowledge Development for PE teachers, Curriculum Development in Physical Education Teacher Education, and Motor Development intervention with children and adolescents with/without disabilities.
Accepted on-campus students will be guaranteed a tuition waiver. Students in good academic standing who meet the College of Education and Human Development requirements will have opportunities for conference travel ($750/year). This on-campus doctoral program follows a 4-year study plan, with Dr. Hairui (Harry) Liu serving as the major adviser. The program is expected to begin in Fall 2026.
Applicants seeking external funding opportunities may consider applying for the Spectrum Institute for Teaching and Learning (SITL) Sara Ashworth Graduate Student Assistantship/Scholarship Award. This program awards between five assistantships/scholarships per year to both master’s and doctoral students. Funding includes up to two years for master’s students and four years for doctoral students, covering tuition, stipends, and other expenses. Please contact Dr. Harry Liu before December 1st (2025) if you are interested in the SITL application. The expected starting date for this Assistantship/Scholarship program is Fall 2026 (if awarded, master’s study up to 2 years and doctoral study up to 4 years).
Established in 1883, the University of North Dakota (UND) is the oldest research and flagship university in North Dakota, classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a very high research activity (R1). Recognized among the top 100 public and top 25 most innovative U.S. universities, UND offers over 225 fields of study, housing the state’s sole School of Law, School of Medicine & Health Science, and pioneering initiatives in mines and aerospace. Located in Grand Forks, a vibrant college town on the North Dakota-Minnesota border, UND enjoys a stellar quality of life, is ranked among the top 5 Best Small College Towns, and is recognized as America’s Best Hockey Town. UND is a prominent public research university committed to excellence in academics and athletics, with a strong tradition in sports (known as “Fighting Hawks”) like Ice Hockey, Football, Basketball, Soccer, and more. The university actively promotes research through initiatives like the “UND Leads” program. Prospective doctoral students interested in the Kinesiology & Public Health Education program are encouraged to contact Dr. Hairui (Harry) Liu at hairui.liu@und.edu for additional information.
Doctoral Program: https://und-public.courseleaf.com/graduateacademicinformation/departmentalcoursesprograms/education/highereducation/he-phd/
Application Online Portal: https://und.edu/admissions/graduate/apply.html
CEHD Policy (tuition waiver, annual assessment): https://education.und.edu/research/awards-and-funding.html
***UND’s PhD in Kinesiology has completed the approval process. Once the program officially starts (next year or the year after), doctoral students in EHBS (within Kinesiology) can transfer to Kinesiology and graduate from that program.
