Mar 28, 2024  
2020-21 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-21 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Exercise Science, M.S.


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Dr. Samantha Johnson, M.S. Advisor (A-L)
(615) 898-5847
Samantha.Johnson@mtsu.edu

Dr. Sandra Stevens, M.S. Advisor (M-Z)
(615) 494-7905
Sandra.Stevens@mtsu.edu

This four-semester degree offers preparation for candidates to gain certification through the American College of Sports Medicine and to enter terminal Exercise Science degree programs. Career opportunities include employment in clinical exercise physiology and corporate, community, or private fitness sectors. The non-thesis option requires completion of 36 semester hours including an internship. The thesis option includes 30 hours of coursework. The degree prerequisite is two semesters of human anatomy and physiology.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements


Admission decisions will be made after reviewing all materials and determining the applicant’s capacity, suitability, and preparation for graduate study. Admission decisions are based upon consideration of a number of criteria which are believed to indicate a high potential in the graduate program.

Admission to the Master of Science (M.S.) program in Exercise Science requires

  1. an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, including successful completion of coursework in human anatomy and physiology;
  2. an acceptable grade point average (GPA) in all college work taken;
  3. completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with acceptable scores. Successful applicants to the M.S. in Exercise Science program typically have scores on the GRE Verbal and Quantitative measures that exceed 150 and 141 respectively with a combined score that exceeds 291. The Analytical Writing Assessment score is also considered.

Application Procedures


All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Application deadline: Application for admission deadlines: Fall, June 1; Spring, November 1; Summer, March 1. Application deadlines for GTA funding: Fall, February 1; Spring, October 1

Applicants must

  1. submit application with appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
  2. submit official scores on the GRE;
  3. submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
  4. provide three letters of recommendation from persons who can address their academic qualifications and potential for success in graduate study.

Degree Requirements


The Master of Science in Exercise Science requires completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours (thesis) or a minimum of 36 semester hours (non-thesis).

Candidate must

  1. complete either the thesis or non-thesis curriculum as detailed below in the Curriculum section;
  2. if choosing the thesis option, select a thesis committee composed of two members (at least one of whom must be from the Department of Health and Human Performance) and successfully complete an oral examination relating to the thesis;
  3. if choosing the non-thesis option, successfully complete a written comprehensive examination during the last semester of coursework (may be taken no more than twice).

Curriculum: Exercise Science


The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements. In addition, a maximum of 6 hours of thesis research may be required to fulfill degree requirements.

Thesis Option (30 hours)


Approved electives (9 hours)


  • Electives selected in consultation with advisor; six hours must have EXSC prefix.

Thesis (3-6 hours)


Non-thesis Option (36 semester hours)


Approved electives (12 hours)


Twelve hours of electives selected in consultation with advisor. Six hours must have an EXSC prefix.

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