Health Sciences, MS Fitness and Wellness Specialization

33 credit hours

The graduate curriculum for the health sciences program with the fitness and wellness specialization provides you with a strong scientific basis for seeking advanced degrees in wellness, therapeutic recreation and various allied health professions as well as those seeking practical skills for employment in the health and fitness industry.

The curriculum is designed to provide you with an advanced combination of courses from areas related to public health, exercise physiology, fitness, nutrition, recreation, health promotion and business management.

The fitness and wellness specialization requires completion of a 12-credit hour core curriculum. Students then choose between a thesis or non-thesis option with elective courses consisting of the remaining credit hours. Both thesis and non-thesis options within each specialization require the completion of a comprehensive examination. A written comprehensive examination is required for the non-thesis option, while a successful oral defense of the thesis is required for the thesis option. Depending on the courses selected, the fitness and wellness specialization can be completed entirely online. A number of different focus options have been outlined in the Fitness and Wellness specialization to help provide a course program that best meets the needs of all students interested in completing this specialization. Like other specializations, coursework can be selected in the Fitness and Wellness specialization to allow for adequate preparation to sit for and pass a number of different health, exercise, fitness, strength and conditioning professional certifications. 

Health Sciences Program Admission
Applications for acceptance into the sports science and performance specialization must include the following documents:

• Online application.
• Official transcripts from all attended institutions verifying completion of bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Letter of intent that includes a personal statement discussing your area of interest in our graduate program along with your career goals.
• Current résumé including all related professional and extracurricular experience, education, and certifications.
• Minimum of three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s academic qualifications and abilities to be successful in a graduate program.
• An interview with departmental faculty (via phone or in person).
• Current CPR certification including AED certification.
• The prerequisites for admission into the sport science and performance specialization include Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs, Exercise Physiology with lab, Nutrition, and Statistics. Strongly suggested courses include Exercise Testing, and Exercise Prescription.