Program Description Two of the most notable issues in society today are the provision of health care and the rising concern with the epidemic of obesity. Many more Americans are becoming aware of their health and its relationship to the quality of life. Although they may understand the importance of diet and exercise in maintaining good health, they often are uneducated or untrained as to proper exercise technique and how to ensure proper nutrition. Hence, there is an increasing demand for trained healthcare professionals who can serve the general public by raising awareness and providing quality instruction, both of which may help reduce healthcare costs and assist individuals in improving and maintaining their health.
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Health and Human Performance will develop trained professionals. The coursework has been designed to allow students to develop and demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the areas of clinical evaluation, fitness assessment, nutrition, and exercise prescription. As students progress through the program they will have opportunities to work with normal, healthy individuals, and will gain experience working with populations with chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiac conditions, to enable them to understand and assist in their treatment.
In developing this program, the department has carefully studied the needs of current healthcare professionals, teachers, coaches, corporate wellness employees, and assistants in athletic programs. Graduates of the program will be able to pursue advanced career opportunities such as collegiate coaching and teaching, or to continue their graduate studies in this or related field.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS All applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. An applicant with a GPA slightly below 3.00 may, with permission of the program chair, enter the program on probation; he or she must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the graduate curriculum to continue. Other applicants with an undergraduate GPA slightly below 3.00 but who have earned at least a 3.00 GPA in six or more credit hours of graduate work may be admitted unconditionally. All applicants must submit an original application essay of no more than 500 words deemed of graduate level quality as judged by the Department. Applicants who meet the admission standards will undergo a personal interview with the chair of the program.
All applicants must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework in kinesiology; at least half of those credit hours must be in upper-division courses, and it is strongly recommended that every applicant has completed eight credit hours (two courses) in human anatomy and human physiology. Applicants who do not meet these requirements, or whose degrees are not in the field of kinesiology, must complete up to 18 credit hours of specified pre-requisite courses, none of may be applied towards the M.S. degree.
Applicants who are international students must have a minimum score of 550 or the equivalent on the TOEFL [a minimum TOEFL of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer based), or 79 (Internet based)], or the equivalent on another appropriate examination, such as the IELTS.
Admission Procedure The application for admission to the Master of Science in Health and Human Performance may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions. (See Graduate Admission in this catalog.)
Graduation Requirements Students must maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA throughout program. All degree requirements must be completed within five years of matriculation. Every student will take and must pass a comprehensive exam prior to enrolling in the advanced practicum or internship.
Program Length Courses in the Master of Science in Health and Human Performance are offered in eight-week-long sessions. Assume satisfactory progress, the entire program can be completed in one academic year (two regular semesters plus summer). Full time graduate students normally take two courses each session, and complete 12 credit hours each semester, thus completing 24 credit hours within two semesters. Immediately following completion of the first 24 credit hours, all students must take and pass a comprehensive exam, thereby qualifying them to enroll in the advanced practicum or internship (KES 5909) during that following summer, thereby completing the remaining nine credit hours of coursework required for the degree. A suggested sequence of course completion is available on request from the department. Graduate students who elect to enroll in less than a full time course load will, of course, take longer to complete the program.
Degree Requirements Credit Hours: 33
KES 5103 Biomechanical Analysis of Movement
KES 5203 Diagnostic Tests & Measurements in Exercise Science
KES 5303 Physiological Basis of Human Performance
KES 5403 Neurological Basis for Motor Learning and Control
KES 5503 Research Methods (cross-listed with ABS 6903)
KES 5603 Group Dynamics (cross-listed with ABS 6743)
KES 5703 Issues in Sports Law
KES 5803 Advanced Human Nutrition
KES 5909 Advanced Practicum or Internship/Project in Exercise Science
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
5103 Biomechanical Analysis of Movement 3 hours
A course for graduate movement science students in the advanced study of physical laws and mechanical concepts with an emphasis on those relevant for the analysis of human movement. Includes mathematical computation and application to selected activities in sport and exercise, gait, industry, and orthopedics, as well as the collection of motion data in the area of Biomechanics including: cinematography, high speed videography, anthropometry, manual and automatic digitization, isokinetics, force measurement devices, and electromyography.
5203 Diagnostic Tests & Measurements in Exercise Science 3 hours
Studies and applies descriptive and empirical statistics for measurement and research (statistical notation, measures of central tendency and variability, probability and sampling techniques, linear regression and correlation and advanced statistical inference). Pre-requisite: completion of an undergraduate course in statistics.
5303 Physiological Basis of Human Performance 3 hours
An advanced practical experience in ECG methodology and interpretation of exercise testing of cardiorespiratory, diabetic, obese, and elderly, patients. Comprehensive analysis of skeletal muscle, metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses to exercise. Topics include performance and adaptations in the athlete, aging and responses to exercise thermoregulation during exercise, and energy balance and body composition.
5403 Neurological Basis for Motor Learning and Control 3 hours
Course of study for graduate movement science students in the study of the principles of coordination and control of movement. Emphasis is on the neurophysiological mechanisms that apply to the processes of voluntary movement and the study of the relationship of natural and situational factors to the acquisition and performance of movement behaviors. The course deals with how individuals learn movement skills; the interaction of cognitive, affective and psychomotor learning domains; application of learning theories to the skills of physical education, physical therapy, and athletics.
5503 Research Methods 3 hours
Examines research methods and designs used in a variety of exercise and sport-related settings. Emphasizes the development of research techniques, including the ability to define research problems write hypotheses, review and interpret literature, apply research designs, organize, analyze, and present data. Cross-listed with ABS 6903.
5603 Group Dynamics 3 hours
Introduction to theories, practice, and research findings of group dynamics. Issues are explored through readings and participation in an ongoing group project. Leader interventions and characteristics are analyzed in terms of integrating group processes and interpersonal phenomena. Cross-listed with ABS 6743.
5703 Issues in Sports Law 3 hours
Provides an understanding of the American legal system with an emphasis on the resolution of sport business legal disputes by means of civil litigation, mediation, arbitration, and trial procedures. Examines the traditional areas of contract law and tort law as they relate to problems confronting the exercise leader, athletic director, teacher/coach, or sport manager. Scrutinizes the legal structure of sport and focuses on special topics of television and media, trademark law, sex discrimination, facility safety, handicap access, professional sport, drug testing, antitrust laws, gambling, and tax laws. Graduate students will be required to complete an in-depth legal issues project.
5803 Advanced Human Nutrition 3 hours
The content of this course will be focused on the metabolism of food by various tissues of the body and its relation to exercise. The student will understand how carbohydrates, lipids and protein are converted into energy. The role of diet in the development and treatment of some chronic diseases will also be discussed along with the application of nutritional principles to enhance overall lifestyles.
5909 Advanced Practicum/Capstone Project 9 hours
The graduate student will conclude their coursework with an intensive field or laboratory experience in exercise physiology, exercise leadership, or sport management. Emphasis will be on independent work and research experience, and assignments many include assisting with research projects and collecting pilot study data. This course will be designed in close consultation with graduate committee faculty and industry sponsoring organizations. This course is intended to develop a greater breadth and depth of important management issues dealing with a specific segment of the sport and/or exercise industry. This course requires a written project to be submitted to a graduate faculty committee for evaluation. Concludes as the student presents orally his or her project and defends conclusions against questions raised by the faculty review committee.
