Sport and Exercise Science
performance including the physiological, biomechanical, nutritional and psychological factors that both enhance and limit our movement capabilities. The program offers two degree options: a thesis option, and a non-thesis, year-long internship option. Classes are offered in the morning in the summer, and in the afternoon and evening during the fall and spring semesters to accommodate working students. A part-time option is available for students who are unable to devote the time necessary to attend on a full-time basis. The program is designed to prepare students for gainful employment and/or further graduate training.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The curriculum for the Master of Science degree is designed around providing the student with an advanced, well-balanced, and applied educational experience. Upon graduating with a Master’s of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Science with a concentration in Human Performance from Gannon University, the student will • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the neurophysiology of human performance and clinical populations. • Utilize and demonstrate advanced knowledge on testing the physical capabilities of the body and prescribing activity to improve these parameters. • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the psychology of human performance. • Apply and demonstrate advanced knowledge of the relationship between nutrition and human performance. • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the physiology of human function and performance. • Demonstrate leadership and expertise in the field of advanced human performance.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Candidates will be considered for enrollment if they possess the following minimum qualifications: • Undergraduate degree (or expected degree completion prior to enrollment) in exercise science, kinesiology, human performance, sports medicine or related field. • Minimum overall and prerequisite GPA of 2.75. • 3 letters of recommendation.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis for the summer cohort of the calendar year for which they are applying. On special occasion, students may be considered for fall or spring semester entry. Students will be required to submit an official transcript along with the standard graduate school application as well as three letters of recommendation. Students will be notified of admissions decisions after review by the department admissions committee. PREREQUISITES COURSEWORK Prerequisites for internal candidates are below. Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in each. Two biology courses (with labs)
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One chemistry course (with lab) Statistics SPRT130 Sport Nutrition or suitable replacement SPRT240 Sport Psychology SPRT250 Exercise Psychology SPRT310 Research Methods SPRT360/361 Kinesiology with Lab SPRT390/391 Exercise Physiology with Lab SPRT400/401 Exercise Testing and Prescription External candidates should possess the following prerequisite coursework, achieving a grade of “C” or better in each. Nutrition (1 course) Exercise Physiology (1 course with lab preferred) Human Anatomy and Physiology (2 courses) Psychology (2 courses) Kinesiology / Biomechanics / Functional Anatomy or similar (1 course) Exercise Testing and Prescription (1 course with Lab) Research Methods and/or Statistics (1 course) DEGREE COMPLETION OPTION: THESIS Students choosing the thesis option will complete 30 credits of coursework as well as 6 credits of research-based, faculty supervised, scientific study that will culminate in the preparation and defense of the masters thesis, a requirement for graduation. This option prepares the student not only for midlevel employment in the field but also entrance into doctoral programs should they choose to continue their education beyond the masters level. Students will use the first summer session to review current research in the field and to develop a research question of their own. The fall and spring will consist of development, preparation and defense of the master’s thesis. While this is certainly an aggressive time frame, provisions are in place that will allow students to extend their graduate program until the thesis project is completed. DEGREE COMPLETION OPTION: INTERNSHIP In the non-thesis option, students will complete 30 credit hours of coursework as well as 6 credits of an academic-year-long internship, many with one of the University’s athletic teams or a clinical site of their choosing. Under the supervision of both members of the faculty as well as the coaching staff of their respective team or clinical site coordinator, the student intern will serve in the capacity of strength and conditioning coach on their respective teams or exercise/ rehabilitation specialist at their clinical site. Students will assist in the design, implementation, maintenance, and assessment of the team’s conditioning activities. NOTE: It is required that students have at least attempted, and preferably successfully completed certification requirements through either the National Strength and Conditioning Association (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) or the American College of Sports Medicine (Health and Fitness Specialist) prior to starting their internship experience. Both of these certification exams are available in a computer-based format that allows for immediate results. Both also require a fee that will be the responsibility of the student upon registration.