EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCE - HUMAN PERFORMANCE
Program Requirements
The Master of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Science-Human Performance is an interdisciplinary area of advanced study for those interested in learning and applying scientific principles to training of athletes at all levels: recreational, high school, college, professional. Areas of study include physiology, biomechanics, and motor learning. Majors in Human Performance can also choose an emphasis in strength and conditioning or a concentration in athletic training.
Students interested in studying the responses and adaptations to the training of athletes, pursuing a career as a sport coach or strength and conditioning coach, or working in fitness/athletic enhancement centers are encouraged to apply to this graduate program.
GRADUATE PREPARATION GOALS:
- Serve as head or assistant strength and conditioning coach for high school, DI, DII or DIII university sports or professional and semi-professional sports.
- Serve as head or assistant sport coach with a scientific background to design training programs for athletes
- Serve as fitness professional in health club, fitness facility or corporate fitness facility
- Pursue a doctoral degree and career as an exercise scientist (teaching and research at the university level)
Application deadline is February 1 of each year for fall and summer semesters, October 1 for spring semester.
(Thesis or Non-Thesis):
At least one-half of the credits must be earned at the 700 level. Students choosing the non-thesis option must successfully complete written comprehensive examinations at the end of the program.
| Prerequisite Courses (or equivalent) and Requirements for Admission: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | |||
| GRE Scores | |||
| ESS | 205 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| ESS | 206 | Human Physiology | 3 |
| ESS | 302 | Physiology of Exercise | 3 |
| ESS | 303 | Biomechanics | 2 |
| COURSE REQUIREMENTS: (32 credits) | |||
| Category A -Research | |||
| Thesis Option (12 credits) | |||
| Credits | |||
| EFN | 730 | Introduction to Research | 3 |
| EFN | 735 | Interpretation of Statistical Data | 3 |
| ESS | 799 | Research: Master's Thesis | 6 |
| Non-thesis Option (6 credits) | |||
| Credits | |||
| ESS | 749 | Psychological Aspects of Sport | 3 |
| ESS | 750 | Mechanics and Analysis of Movement | 3 |
| ESS | 751 | Advanced Biomechanics | 3 |
| ESS | 761 | Laboratory Techniques in Human Performance - Biomechanics | 2 |
| ESS | 762 | Laboratory Techniques in Human Performance - Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| ESS | 763 | Laboratory Techniques in Human Performance - Motor Learning | 2 |
| ESS | 768 | Psychomotor Bases of Skilled Performance | 3 |
| ESS | 770 | Physiology of Activity | 3 |
| Written comprehensive exam | |||
| Category C - Electives (other courses may be selected with consent of program director) | |||
| Thesis Option (7-9 credits) | |||
| Non-thesis Option (13-15 credits) | |||
| Credits | |||
| ESS | 545 | Planning Facilities in Physical Activity and Sport | 3 |
| ESS | 560 | Clinical Forum Appropriate Topics | 3 |
| ESS | 680 | Injury Prevention, Management and Rehabilitation | 2 |
| ESS | 730 | Athletic Activity Injury/Illness Evaluation | 3 |
| ESS | 731 | Rehabilitation of Athletic Musculoskeletal | 3 |
| ESS | 732 | Advanced Athletic Activity Injury Management | 3 |
| ESS | 733 | Advanced Athletic Training Teaching | 3 |
| ESS | 739 | Current Issues in Sport Law | 3 |
| ESS | 742 | Perceptual Motor Development of Children | 3 |
| ESS | 747 | Advanced Principals of Athletic Performance Enhancement | 3 |
| ESS | 766 | Sports in American Culture | 3 |
| ESS | 769 | Application of Muscle Physiology to Strength/ Power Training | 3 |
| ESS | 780 | Philosophy and Organization of Preventive and Rehabilitative Programs | 2 |
| ESS | 784 | Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology | 3 |
| ESS | 789 | Internship: Human Performance | 3 |
| ESS | 794 | Readings in Sports Psychology | 1-2 |
| ESS | 795 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| ESS | 796 | Readings in Biomechanics | 1-3 |
| ESS | 797 | Readings in Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| ESS | 798 | Readings in Motor Learning | 1-3 |
| BIO | 524 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| ESS | 535 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIO | 565 | Principles of Neurobiology | 3 |
| ESS | 718 | Advanced Human Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO | 719 | Advanced Human Physiology II | 4 |
| Three maximum total credits in ESS 796, 797, 798 | |||
| STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING EMPHASIS | |||
| (Non-thesis only): | |||
| Prerequisite Courses (or equivalent) and Requirements for Admission: | |||
| Credits | |||
| GRE Scores | |||
| ESS | 205 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| ESS | 206 | Human Physiology | 3 |
| ESS | 302 | Physiology of Exercise | 2 |
| ESS | 303 | Biomechanics | 2 |
| ESS | 368 | Strength Training Theory and Techniques | 2 |
| Two letters of recommendation | |||
| CSCS preferred | |||
| COURSE REQUIREMENTS: (32 credits) | |||
| Category A -Research (6 credits) | |||
| Credits | |||
| ESS | 730 | Introduction to Research | 3 |
| ESS | 752 | Assessment of Physical Education and Athletics | 3 |
| Category B -Core Requirements | |||
| (24 credits) | |||
| Credits | |||
| ESS | 545 | Planning Facilities in Physical Activity and Sport | 3 |
| ESS | 702 | Sport Administration | 3 |
| ESS | 738 | Financial Management for Sport Programs | 3 |
| ESS | 749 | Psychological Aspects of Sport | 3 |
| ESS | 750 | Mechanics and Analysis of Movement | 3 |
| ESS | 769 | Application of Muscle Physiology to Strength/Power Training | 3 |
| ESS | 770 | Physiology of Activity | 3 |
| ESS | 789 | Internship: Human Performance | 3 |
| Category C -Electives | |||
| (2 credits minimum) | |||
| Credits | |||
| ESS | 739 | Current Issues in Sport Law | 3 |
| ESS | 754 | Sport Marketing | 3 |
| ESS | 760 | Problems in Athletics | 3 |
| ESS | 766 | Sports in American Culture | 3 |
| ESS | 768 | Psychomotor Bases of Skilled Performance | 3 |
| ESS | 795 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| ESS | 730 | Introduction to Research | 3 |
| ESS | 735 | Interpretation of Statistical Data | 3 |
| ESS | 799 | Research: Master's Thesis | 6 |
*Other courses may be selected with the consent of the
program director.
**Total combined credits for all readings classes may be no
greater than three.