General program information: Students who complete the Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology are prepared to pursue a number of career options. Graduates from our program have continued their education by completing the Ph.D. degree in fields such as exercise physiology, physiology, biochemistry, and the M.D. Many students have pursued careers in allied health fields such as nursing and physical therapy as well as in such fields as aviation physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, corporate wellness, and ergonomics. Because many of our students seek to work in the fields of cardiac rehabilitation and corporate wellness, the curriculum is structured to satisfy the preliminary requirements for certification as “exercise technologists” or “exercise specialist” as set by the American College of Sports Medicine. The curriculum provides students the necessary knowledge base and course work to satisfy entrance into the certification process (which is under control of the American College of Sports Medicine and requires both a written and practical exam). 

Program admission procedure: In order to be admitted unconditionally a student must have earned a grade-point average of at least 2.75 on a 4-point scale in their undergraduate program. A variety of undergraduate majors are acceptable, including exercise science, biology, chemistry, physiology, nursing, etc. In addition, the student must complete the application procedure as required by the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. Students are expected to score a minimum of 800 (Verbal and Quantitative sections combined) on the Graduate Record Exam. Students with a grade point standing below 2.75 may be admitted conditionally. Only under unusual circumstances will students with less than a 2.5 grade-point average be admitted to the program. Individuals who do not meet the 800 requirement on the GRE may still be admitted. Admission in such cases will be based on prior course work (including GPA in science classes), experience, three (3) letters of recommendation a resume, and a personal statement explaining interest in the program and long term objectives.

Thesis Option

The M.S. thesis option requires a minimum of 33 hours of course work, which includes six credits devoted to completion of the thesis. Students in this option are required to actively participate in all phases of research within the laboratory. The thesis program requires two full years of study including the summer between the first and second years. To complete the M.S. in Exercise Physiology, a minimum of 23 hours must be at the 600 level or above

Non-thesis Option

The M.S. non-thesis option emphasizes the use of exercise as a clinical intervention. This option is heavily slanted toward improved cardiovascular health and cardiovascular rehabilitation through the use of exercise. Students in this option must complete a minimum of 36 hours of course work. The non-thesis program requires two full years of study including the summer between the first and second years.