Exercise Science, M.S.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements are different for the degree programs. A personal interview may be required. Provisional admission to a program is possible, and will be considered on an individual basis. (See definition of Provisional Admission in this catalog) All students applying to the Exercise Science, M.S. program must have successfully completed an undergraduate course in either exercise physiology or human physiology. Applicants lacking these courses may be provisionally admitted and must complete required undergraduate courses within the first 12 hours of graduate coursework. Students are limited to twelve semester hours of transfer credit from other institutions, and limited to a maximum of nine semester hours taught at the 500 level.

Applicants should follow the admissions process described in this catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website at www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply-for-admission.

In addition (submit all materials directly to Graduate Admissions office):

  • an undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all previously completed undergraduate university work;
  • an appropriate undergraduate/graduate background that includes anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology;
  • Graduate Record Exam scores (no older than five (5) years) with at least a 285 combined score on verbal and quantitative reasoning on the GRE and an analytical writing GRE score of at least 3.0;
  • three letters of reference.

Acceptance into the M.S. Exercise Science program is competitive and not guaranteed.

To continue in the M.S. in Exercise Science program, students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in all coursework.

Plan of Study 

Core
ESS 621Adv Exercise Physiology I3
ESS 601Adv Exercise Testing3
ESS 642Devise Train & Cond Prog3
ESS 670Research Meth in Kinesiology3
BSC 517Biostatistics3
Area of Emphasis
Select one of the following:21
Total Credit Hours36

Areas of Emphasis

Athletic Training

HS 625Evdnce Base Prac Ther Elec Agt3
HS 630Seminar Athl Training3
HS 646Athletic Training I3
HS 647Athletic Training II3
Advisor-approved elective3
Select one of the following:6
Thesis
Advisor-approved electives and comprehensive examinations
Total Credit Hours21

Cardiometabolic Rehabilitation

Required Courses
ESS 578Exercise Metabolism3
ESS 623Adv Ex Phys II (Neuromuscular and Environmental Adaptation)3
ESS 660Internship6
ESS 682Prev & Rehab Physiology (Clinical Perspectives)3
ESS 683Cardiovascular Assessment3
Electives
Select 6 hours from the following or other approved courses:6
Cardio Exer Physiol
Respir Exer Physiol
Total Credit Hours24

Exercise Physiology and Human Performance

The Exercise Physiology and Human Performance track prepares a student to work in performance enhancement, fitness, and weight loss industries as an exercise professional who specializes in applying the integrated sciences of biochemistry, biomechanics, and physiology to the athletic and adult fitness populations.

ESS 578Exercise Metabolism3
ESS 623Adv Ex Phys II (Neuromuscular and Environmental Adaptation)3
or ESS 542 Strength and Cond
ESS 683Cardiovascular Assessment3
HS 566Biomechanical Analysis3
or HS 610 Adv Biomechanics
ESS 660Internship6
or ESS 681 Thesis
Advisor-approved elective3
Total Credit Hours21