Eastern Kentucky University offers:
- Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science degree with two concentrations
Exercise and Wellness
Sports Administration - 3+2 BS in ESS to MS in Exercise and Sport Science
The MS in ESScan be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Each concentration requires 30 credit hours for completion. Full-time graduate students in the Sports Administration and Exercise and Wellness options typically take three or four courses in each of the Fall and Spring semesters and complete their program with an internship, an online seminar class and the capstone in the summer. The Exercise and Wellness includes the option of a thesis rather than an internship. The program may be pursued on a part-time basis by teachers or professionals already working in the field. The Graduate Coordinator will work with students to develop their program of study. Any student who has completed a bachelor’s degree from EKU or a regionally accredited four-year institution and completed the admission requirements (add link) is eligible for consideration into the EKU MS ESS program.
The Department of Exercise and Sport Science’s 3+2 program allows you to integrate your current coursework for a B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science degree with the M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science degree so you can complete both degrees in only five years. This is a low-risk, high-gain opportunity.
Benefits
- Save time (one academic year) and money (tuition, textbooks, etc.).
- Build on what you’ve already achieved and segue from one program to the next, as your graduate coursework applies to your undergraduate degree.
- Continue learning in a local, convenient, familiar environment.
Mission, Objective, and Goals
The primary mission of the of the Eastern Kentucky University MS in Exercise and Sport Science is to prepare graduate students to become practitioners with a solid foundation of knowledge and theory as well as practical application in the fields of exercise, fitness, wellness, sports administration and strength and conditioning. The program will prepare students the foundation skills for future certifications or pursue advanced degrees.
Graduates will demonstrate professional qualities and critical thinking skills essential to professionals in sports administration, strength and conditioning and other fitness and wellness related fields.
Student Learning Outcomes for EKU MS in ESS Program include the following:
- Integrate major concepts, theoretical perspectives and practical application of exercise and wellness; sports administration or strength and conditioning methods.
- Demonstrate skills in foundational knowledge, contextually appropriate skill sets and professional level characteristics to entry-level positions.
- Use critical and creative skills when thinking about, critiquing, and applying methods of practice in exercise and wellness; sports administration or strength and conditioning.
MS ESS Curriculum
MS in ESS: Concentration in Exercise and Wellness
| ESS 800 | Research Methods | 3 |
| ESS 812 | Lifetime Fitness & Management | 3 |
| ESS 821 | Physiological Bases of Physical Fitness | 3 |
| ESS 835 | Legal Issues in ESS | 3 |
| ESS 717 | Bioenergetics in Physical Activity | 3 |
| ESS 823 | Team Dynamics in Psychology of ESS | 3 |
| ESS 869 | Organizational Behavior &Leadership in ESS | 3 |
| ESS Elective* | For Internship Option | 3 |
| Possibly ESS 897** | For Thesis Students | 3-6 |
| GRD 997B | Exit Defense | |
| ESS 875 | Seminar in ESS | 3 |
| ESS 871 | Internship | 3 |
| GRD 888d | Capstone Project | 0 |
*Electives for ExWell Concentration: ESS 775 (Tests and Measurement), ESS 762 (Adapted Physical Activity), ESS 720 (Advanced Strength and Conditioning) or a course approved by the advisor
**Students completing ESS 897 (Thesis) will not be required to take an Elective Course
MS in ESS: Sport Administration Concentration
| ESS 800 | Research Methods | 3 |
| ESS 814 | Sports Marketing, Promotions, and Fund Raising | 3 |
| ESS 823 | Team Dynamics in Psychology of ESS | 3 |
| ESS 835 | Legal Issues in ESS | 3 |
| ESS 869 | Organization Behavior & Leadership in ESS | 3 |
| ESS 823 | Team Dynamics in Psychology of ESS | 3 |
| ESS 869 | Organizational Behavior &Leadership in ESS | 3 |
| ESS Elective* | 2 Courses | 0-6 |
| ESS 870 | Internship | 3 |
| ESS 875 | Seminar in ESS | 3 |
| ESS 896 | Sports Administration Capstone | 3 |
*Electives for SPAD Concentration: ESS 730 (Sport Communication), ESS 810 (Financial Aspects of Sport), ESS 825 (Policy and Governance of Sport), ESS 850 Event and Facility Management
Graduate Programs
Information and Requirements
Admission:
Admission into the Master of Science program in Exercise and Sport Science requires completion of a baccalaureate degree in exercise science, physical education or in a field related to graduate study in sport administration (e.g., business, marketing, sociology) or exercise and wellness (e.g. nutrition, health). Transcripts serve as documentation for admission.
Total Requirements: 30 hours
- *A maximum of nine hours of 700 level course works is allowed.
Application Deadline:
The program has a rolling deadline.
Admission Requirements (For All MS in ESS in Programs):
NOTE: Online applications should be submitted to EKU gradschool online.
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the general admission requirements of the Graduate School. Additional requirements established by the program are as follows:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA
- Two letters of reference uploaded directly to the EKU Graduate School application
- Submission of a cover letter, resume and professional narrative
Applicants who do not meet the EKU Graduate School GPA requirement for admission must submit official GRE scores to be considered for Probationary Admission. Expected target scores on the GRE for Probationary Admission are 147 on the Verbal and Quantitative sections and an Analytical Writing score of 3.5.
Admission Procedures:
Applicants are accepted year round. All materials must be submitted to the Graduate School before departmental review. Once all materials are received by the Graduate School, the MPH program has two weeks to review and determine acceptance. Below are required to be submitted to the Graduate School during application:
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Personal Narrative Statement
- Official Transcripts (International students are required to have all transcripts evaluated by a NACES member)
- Official Test Scores (if applicable)
- Graduate Application Fee
Applicants who do not meet the EKU Graduate School GPA requirement for admission must submit official GRE scores to be considered for Probationary Admission. Expected target scores on the GRE for Probationary Admission are 147 on the Verbal and Quantitative sections and an Analytical Writing score of 3.5.
Graduate Assistantships:
All prospective graduate assistants must apply through EKU HR.
PLEASE NOTE: A limited number of graduate teaching assistantships are available to qualified students each academic year. Typically, most GA positions begin in the Fall semester and continue through the Spring semester. Some GA positions may be available to begin in the Spring semester. Graduate teaching assistants work approximately 20 hours per week teaching physical activity courses or laboratory activities and working as a faculty aid. Graduate Assistantships provide students a stipend of $5,600 per semester and a partial waiver of six credit hours.
Explanation of preparation materials:
Explanation of preparation materials:
Admission into the Master of Science degree program in Exercise and Sport Science requires demonstration of adequate undergraduate preparation in a field related to graduate study in Exercise and Sport Science. Adequate preparation may be demonstrated in two ways:
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree program with a major or minor or equivalent in physical education/exercise sport science or similarly named major or related discipline. Transcripts serve as adequate documentation for admission and should be uploaded on the online application.
- Submission of a cover letter, resume and professional narrative, which includes evidence of career goals, academic and experiential preparation. Students must submit relevant documents with their original online application for admission to the Graduate School.
Thesis Defense:
The thesis is optional in this program with the Exercise and Wellness concentration.
Master of Science in Athletic Training
The MS in Athletic Training program is a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited professional program, for individuals pursuing a career and certification by by the Board of Certification as an Athletic Trainer. Please visit the MS in AT programs webpage for information on all admission and application requirements, as this is an allied health care professional licensing and certification program.
The admission criteria for this program can be found on the MS in AT Program website and in the MS in AT Program Handbook. Please direct any questions to the MS in AT Program Director: Mathew Sabin, PhD, ATC .
Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science
The Master’s degree in Exercise & Sport Science offers an emphasis in two concentrations: Sports Administration and Exercise and Wellness. Each option requires 30 credit hours for completion. Full-time graduate students in the Sports Administration and Exercise and Wellness options typically take four courses in each of the Fall and Spring semesters and complete their program with an internship in the summer. The program may be pursued on a part-time basis by teachers or professionals already working in the field. The Graduate Coordinator will work with students to develop their program of study.
3+2 BS ESS to MS ESS How to Apply
Application Instructions for 3+2
- Current EKU undergraduate students pursuing a B.S. in ESS can apply to the 3+2 program they have junior or senior standing and a GPA of 3.0.
- Eligible students are required to complete the form for consideration into 3+2 program by signing into their EKU student account. To register for the program, please visit this link.
- On approval, the Graduate School will forward the signed form to the Registrar’s office.
- Registration staff will process the major change for you, and your degree audit will change. You will also be assigned a new advisor.
- Only after acceptance can you register for graduate-level courses.
For More Information:
Visit the undergraduate majors page or email Dr. Heather Adams.
Thesis Option
Students in the Exercise and Wellness Concentration may choose to complete an internship or thesis as the exit requirement for graduation.
A graduate thesis is a permanent record of a significant contribution made by a student to a particular field of knowledge. It demonstrates the writer has the capacity for research, the ability to draw logical conclusions, and make interpretative claims. In the process of developing the thesis, students will be required to accomplish extensive readings and to demonstrate a significant knowledge of their discipline’s methodological approach to research.
**Attachments will be Posted Soon
Thesis Guide and Student Handbook
ESS Approval to Begin Thesis
ESS Thesis Committee Member Page