Master of Science - Exercise and Sport Science

The M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science is a consists of 33 credit hours, culminating in selection of a thesis or research report track. The program curriculum includes basic research preparation in research methods and statistics; advanced courses in exercise physiology, motor learning, and biomechanics; concentrations in applied sports performance, clinical exercise physiology, and sport and exercise psychology, clinically-based practicum experiences, electives upon advisement, and a capstone research project (thesis or research report). The program is designed for individual’s knowledge, skills and abilities for working in adult fitness, cardiac rehabilitation and other clinical programs and to enrich academic preparation for graduate work beyond the master’s degree.

Three concentrations:

  • -Applied Sport Performance
  • -Clinical Exercise Physiology
  • -Sport and Exercise Psychology

Students are required to complete the following courses:

I. Degree core (18 credits)

  • EXS 570 - Concepts in Sport and Exercise Science (3)
  • KIN 603 - Professional Literature Seminar (3)
  • EXS 600 - Research Methods in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (3)
  • HEA 526 - Biostatistics or STA 511 Statistics (3)
  • EXS 698 - Mentored Research I (3)
  • EXS 699 - Mentored Research II (3)

II. Concentration core (15 credits per designated concentration)

Applied Sports Performance

  • EXS 585 - Biomechanics (3)
  • EXS 572 - Advanced Motor Learning (3)
  • EXS 681 - Advanced Exercise Physiology (3)
  • EXS TBA - Pathokinesiology (3)
  • TBD - Free Graduate Course Elective or Practicum/Internship (EXS 611) (3)

Clinical Exercise Physiology

  • EXS 681 - Advanced Exercise Physiology (3)
  • EXS 687 - Applied Muscular Physiology (3)
  • EXS 688 - Applied Cardiovascular Physiology (3)
  • EXS 691 - Advanced Clinical Exercise Testing and Prescription (3)
  • TBD - Free Graduate Course Elective or Practicum/Internship (EXS 611) (3)

Sport and Exercise Psychology

  • EXS 640 - Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (3)
  • EXS 641 - Group Dynamics in Sport and Exercise (3)
  • EXS 681 - Neuroscience Perspectives in Sport & Exercise (3)
  • EXS 572 - Advanced Motor Learning (3)
  • TBD - Free Graduate Course Elective or Practicum/Internship (EXS 611) (3)

III. Free Graduate Course Elective (3 credits)

An additional three semester hours are required for degree completion. This may come as a elective course from the EXS discipline or other selected programs at the graduate level. Practicum experience may be counted for this elective requirement with permission of the graduate coordinator. This practicum may be required to support a concentration in absence of comparable undergraduate or work experience.

Admission Requirements

To be accepted as a fully matriculated student into the master’s program, an applicant needs to meet the requirements for WCU graduate study. Specifically, a student must have a minimum 2.8 undergraduate GPA, a minimum 3.0 GPA in the major discipline, and a competitive GRE score, a resume, a goals statement, and two letters of recommendation are required. An applicant must present a bachelor’s degree in exercise science or related field and have satisfied the following prerequisites prior to admission:

  • Anatomy and Physiology (I and II)

  • Exercise Physiology

  • Biomechanics or Kinesiology

  • Statistics

Students may be accepted provisionally while taking one or more of the prerequisites.