The master’s degree concentration in exercise physiology is designed to prepare students for doctoral study in exercise physiology and/or to provide a foundational preparation for students with career interests in coaching, cardiac rehabilitation, corporate fitness, wellness, or medicine.
Students who pursue the concentration in exercise physiology have opportunities to participate in research exploring the relationship between exercise and the various physiological systems, and the interaction of exercise with such factors as diet and disease across the lifespan. All students receive some exposure to research design and practice through required coursework which may be supplemented by a research practicum experience.
Some students choose a coursework option, electing additional coursework and written comprehensive exams in lieu of other capstone research or internship options. Students who choose either the thesis or research project options conduct more extensive individual research projects under supervision of an individual faculty member.
Individuals who wish to focus on practical implementation of their physiology coursework may elect an internship capstone option. Examples of internship sites include local hospitals and corporations that have ongoing cardiac rehabilitation or corporate fitness/wellness programs. Upon graduation, internship students are prepared for advanced graduate study and/or careers in areas such as coaching, cardiac rehabilitation, corporate fitness, or wellness.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete all MSU and KIN requirements for the M.S. degree, including KIN 871-research methods, area of concentration, breadth requirement, and capstone (thesis, project, internship, or courses-only with certifying exam). The exact program of study is specified in an individual program plan approved by the student’s guidance committee. Typical courses in the exercise physiology concentration include:
- KIN 810 – Metabolic Responses to Exercise (3 credits)
- KIN 811 – Methods of Physiological Evaluation and Exercise Prescription (2 credits)
- KIN 812 – Cardiorespiratory Responses to Exercise (3 credits)
- KIN 813 – Neuromuscular Responses to Exercise (3 credits)
- KIN 814 – Endocrine Responses to Exercise (3 credits)
- KIN 890 – Independent Study in Kinesiology (1-6 credits)
Students in the exercise physiology concentration often complete courses in areas of study such as physiology, epidemiology, human nutrition, pharmacology, public health, and zoology. Consult the Academic Programs and Description of Courses catalogs for a full listing of academic programs and courses.