Curriculum & Admission Requirements

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Coursework

The academic coursework is designed to offer flexibility based on student career goals. Students will strengthen their knowledge base in exercise science, with students in the non-thesis (comprehensive exam) option also focusing on developing practical skills through internships and field experiences, while those opting for the thesis option will focus on developing their research skills by working closely with their faculty mentor.

Thesis

Upon completion of 30 graduate credit hours, the student’s culminating activity is either the presentation/defense of a project/portfolio or the completion of a thesis. If the thesis option is chosen, the student must present a formal research proposal and later defend the results in a final oral examination of the thesis.

Comprehensive examination

Upon completion of 36 graduate credit hours of coursework, the student’s culminating activity is the comprehensive examination. The exam consists of both a written and oral part and tests the student's knowledge of the coursework; ability to reason, evaluate and draw supportable conclusions; and knowledge of current issues and trends within the field. Comprehensive exams are graded pass or fail.

Program Curriculum

The master’s degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours for a thesis option or 36 credit hours for a non-thesis option. Regardless of which program track, students are able to select coursework in consultation with a faculty advisor to enhance their learning and fit their professional interests and educational needs.

Required courses for thesis and exam option:

EPSY 715: Understanding Research in Education
HSES 805: Lab Experiments & Analysis-Exercise Physiology
HSES 810: Advanced Exercise Science Seminar

Additional Requirements for Thesis Track

Choose 2 out of the following four classes.
- HSES 772: Exercise & the Cardiovascular System
- HSES 720 Advanced Essentials of Sport Science
- HSES 825: Skeletal Muscle Physiology
- HSES 860 Biomechanics in Sport
EPSY 710 Introduction to Statistical Analysis
EPSY 711 Lab for Introduction to Statistical Analysis
HSES 910: Biochemistry of Exercise
HSES 995: Field Experience in Exercise Science
HSES 899: Master's Thesis

Additional Requirements for Exam Track (Non-Thesis Track)

HSES 730: Advanced Concepts in Nutrition
HSES 720 Advanced Essentials of Sport Science
Choose 1 out of the following two classes
- HSES 772 Exercise & the Cardiovascular System
- HSES 825 Skeletal Muscle Physiology
HSES 869 Biomechanics in Sports
HSES 790: Internship in Exercise Science
Electives (12 Credits)

Nonthesis students can choose from a variety of electives that match their interests and career goals. These may include Advanced Biomechanics and Data Programming, Advanced Methods of Strength Training and Conditioning, Neuromuscular Physiology, Environmental Physiology, Sport Psychology, Biochemistry of Exercise, Ethics in the Sport Industry, Legal Aspects of Sport, and Design and Analysis in Experimental Research.

Graduate Admission Requirements

GPA Requirement

The co-enrollment program is open to KU seniors majoring in exercise science who are in their last semester and who have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Note that the courses available for co-enrollment will initially be offered in the spring semester only.

Eligible Classes

Co-enrolled students may take up to 9 credits which will count as credits toward their undergraduate exercise science degree AND will count toward their M.S.E degree. Note that undergraduate co-enrolled students are able to take graduate courses at the 700 level but not at the 800 or 900 level.

Prerequisites

Applicants are required to have completed credits from the following KU courses, or transfer credit from equivalent non-KU courses: BIOL 240 (Human Anatomy); BIOL 246 (Principles of Human Physiology); HSES 470 (Biomechanics); and HSES 372 (Exercise Physiology). It is acceptable for co-enrolled students to have HSES 369 (Kinesiology) completed, and take HSES 470 Biomechanics concurrently with their graduate level classes.

Application Deadlines

Students should apply at the beginning of their junior year, but are able to apply through the first semester of their senior year. They can work with their undergraduate advisor to submit an application and intent form. Students are encouraged to start working with their undergraduate advisor early if they want to co-enroll. This is because they will need a graduation plan that ensures electives credits are available during their last semester that can be fulfilled through the graduate level classes they want to take.

Steps to Apply:

Meet with your undergraduate academic advisor.
Submit an intent form.
Apply to graduate program and provide a KU exercise science, faculty recommendation.
Begin coursework in the last semester of your senior year.

Application Checklist

M.S.E. in Exercise Science

Applicants are required to submit the following materials and meet the following requirements before the application deadline

Admission & Curriculum Resources

The online application is designed to give applicants the ability to submit all supporting documents in one form. We invite you to explore our graduate degree information, review our student resources, and learn more on our knowledgeable faculty and the vibrant community of Lawrence, Kansas.

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