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.

Requirements

Prerequisite Coursework

In addition, the following courses (or other courses with program chair approval) serve as admission prerequisites for the Master of Science in Health Sciences. All prospective students must have completed these courses prior to admission with a grade of C or better.

BSC 12100 or EXS 24000 Nutrition
BSC 22700 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
BSC 22800 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
EXS 31500 Exercise Physiology
EXS 31600 Exercise Physiology Lab
MTH 14100 Basic Statistics

Specific courses added after publishing — September Addendum — 09/01/2023**

Major Coursework

3 credit hours of coursework from the following option:

HS 54000Research Methods

3

Statistical Analysis Coursework

3 credit hours of coursework from the following option:

HS 54200Statistical Analysis

3

Extended Core Coursework

9 credit hours of coursework from the following options:

HS 53700Contemporary Trends in Wellness

3

HS 53800Employee Wellness Programming

3

HS 55000Human Physiology and Nutrition

3

Elective Coursework

Thesis Route: 12 credit hours

Non-Thesis Route: 15 credit hours

Suggested electives based on chosen specialty area:

Coaching: HS, PE, REC cross-listed

Fitness and Wellness Management: ENTR, HRM, HS, MGMT, NPA

Health Behavior Management: EDU, HS, IPC, 

Health Education: EDU, HS, IPC, PHS cross-listed

Sports and Recreation Administration: HS, NPA, SPMGT

Strength and Conditioning: EXS cross-listed, HS

Therapeutic Recreation: EDU, HS, IPC

Additional electives with faculty advisor approval.

Culminating Experience Coursework

Thesis Option Coursework

6 credit hours of coursework from the following option:

HS 65001Thesis

1-6

Note: Students who have not successfully completed all requirements for HS 65001 Thesis must enroll in HS 65002 Thesis Extension. Continuous enrollment in HS 65002 is required until students are able to successfully complete all requirements for HS 65001 Thesis.

Non-Thesis Option Coursework

3 credit hours of coursework from the following options:

HS 54100Internships

3-6

HS 55100Independent Study

1-6

Note: If a student selects HS 55100 as their Culminating Experience, they cannot also take it for additional elective credit.

Comprehensive Exam Coursework

Zero credit hour course required for completion of major.

HS 58100Comprehensive Examination

0