Evaluating Doctoral Education in Physical Activity: Role of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education

This paper summarizes recent events concerning the evaluation of doctoral programs in kinesiology and physical education. An overview is provided of issues related to the evaluation process used by the National Research Council (NRC). The American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education (AAKPE) has developed a proposal to have our field included in the upcoming evaluation of doctoral programs conducted by the NRC currently scheduled for 2007. Also described is an overview of the plan by the AAKPE to conduct its own evaluation of doctoral programs in 2005. Finally, a listing of the 62 identified doctoral programs in our field is presented along with some program characteristics.