Master of Science in Kinesiology (Exercise Physiology)
Website: https://twu.edu/kinesiology/graduate-programs/exercise-physiology/
The M.S. in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology emphasis area prepares students for positions within the healthcare industry in hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation programs, as strength and conditioning specialists at universities or athletic performance venues, or to pursue doctoral studies. The primary focus of the master's program is the acute response and training adaptation to exercise and the role that exercise plays in diminishing the risk of developing various hypokinetic, chronic diseases. Biomechanics, exercise physiology, biochemistry, and motor behavior/pedagogy laboratories are dedicated specifically to teaching and research.
Marketable Skills
Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."
- Understand and implement exercise programming to reduce disability, promote health, and prevent disease.
- Demonstrate and interpret results from common exercise testing measures, including heart rate, blood pressure, ECG, and respiratory gas analysis.
- Administer aspects of health-related physical fitness testing, and communicate results to clients.
Admissions
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
The academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.
Degree Requirements
Prerequisites
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Three hours of upper-level Exercise Science
Prerequisite courses may be taken during the program but will not be counted toward the degree.
Total Semester Credit Hours Required
Thesis Option: 30 semester credit hours (SCH).
Internship/Professional Affiliation Option: 36 semester credit hours (SCH).
Thesis Option (30 SCH)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology Core | ||
| KINS 5023 | Methods of Research | 3 |
| KINS 5033 | Applied Statistical Principles | 3 |
| Exercise Physiology Emphasis | ||
| KINS 5553 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KINS 5573 | Graded Exercise Testing | 3 |
| KINS 5593 | Environmental Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KINS 5613 | Cardiovascular Response to Exercise | 3 |
| KINS 5683 | Exercise Evaluation and Prescription | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Choose 3 SCH in consultation with advisor | 3 | |
| Sport Psychology | ||
| Sport Conditioning and Nutrition | ||
| Physiological Responses During Alternative Modes of Exercise | ||
| Mechanical Analysis of Human Motion | ||
| Hormonal Responses during Exercise | ||
| Applied Techniques in Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology | ||
| Research in Kinesiology | ||
| APA II: Disability Sport and Fitness | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| APA I: Disability Sport and Fitness | ||
| Neuromuscular Physiology | ||
| Human Motor Control | ||
| Motor Learning and Performance | ||
| Human Nutrition in Disease | ||
| Nutrition and Gerontology | ||
| Nutrition and Women's Health | ||
| Advanced Preventive Nutrition | ||
| Nutrition and Exercise | ||
Other options are available – consult your advisor or the Graduate Coordinator | ||
| Culminating Experience | ||
| KINS 5983 | Thesis | 3 |
| KINS 5993 | Thesis | 3 |
| Total SCHs | 30 | |
Internship/Professional Affiliation Option (36 SCH)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology Core | ||
| KINS 5023 | Methods of Research | 3 |
| KINS 5033 | Applied Statistical Principles | 3 |
| Exercise Physiology Emphasis | ||
| KINS 5553 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KINS 5573 | Graded Exercise Testing | 3 |
| KINS 5593 | Environmental Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KINS 5613 | Cardiovascular Response to Exercise | 3 |
| KINS 5683 | Exercise Evaluation and Prescription | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Choose 12 SCH in consultation with advisor | 12 | |
| Sport Psychology | ||
| Sport Conditioning and Nutrition | ||
| Physiological Responses During Alternative Modes of Exercise | ||
| Mechanical Analysis of Human Motion | ||
| Hormonal Responses during Exercise | ||
| Applied Techniques in Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology | ||
| Research in Kinesiology | ||
| APA II: Disability Sport and Fitness | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| APA I: Disability Sport and Fitness | ||
| Neuromuscular Physiology | ||
| Human Motor Control | ||
| Motor Learning and Performance | ||
| Human Nutrition in Disease | ||
| Nutrition and Gerontology | ||
| Nutrition and Women's Health | ||
| Advanced Preventive Nutrition | ||
| Nutrition and Exercise | ||
Other options are available – consult your advisor or the Graduate Coordinator | ||
| Culminating Experience | ||
| KINS 5123 | Professional Affiliation | 3 |
| Certification Exam | ||
| Total SCHs | 36 | |
SHPK Master's Program Policies
Culminating Experience
After completing 24 semester credit hours of required coursework (including core courses), School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology students are eligible to complete their culminating experience. Students in the Exercise Physiology emphasis area may choose one of two culminating options: 1) Thesis or 2) Internship/Professional Affiliation. Students are responsible for reviewing their emphasis area degree requirements, consulting with emphasis area faculty, and familiarizing themselves with the available options. Specific steps to complete each culminating experience option are located within the School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology (SHPK) Graduate Student Handbook.
Thesis
All School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology master’s students who select the thesis option are required to prepare, present, and orally defend a thesis reflecting substantial and independent research. The Thesis Research Committee must be formed according to Graduate School policies. Committees must include a minimum of three faculty members, with one faculty member being from outside the major/emphasis area. The School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology stipulates that a 10-class day reading period be granted to every research committee member for any thesis-related documents. No thesis research committee meetings may be scheduled or conducted during the last two weeks (last week of classes and finals week) of any semester. Refer to the Graduate School policy for Thesis grading options. Any student in SHPK receiving two consecutive enrolled semesters of LP (Lack of Adequate Progress) and/or NP (No Progress) grades or three cumulative semesters of LP and/or NP grades will be dismissed from the program.
Internship/Professional Affiliation
To complete an internship or professional affiliation, a master’s student must enroll in a three-hour internship/professional affiliation course. A student may not register for the internship/professional affiliation course if final grade(s) for core course(s) are pending or if the student has an incomplete grade pending for any core course. Each master’s student must contact their major professor to confirm eligibility and request approval to enroll in the internship/professional affiliation course.
The internship/professional affiliation site must be approved by the major professor and/or faculty member directing the internship/professional affiliation. The internship/professional affiliation must include at least 350 hours of site work for academic credit; however, the internship/professional affiliation site may require additional hours. Students must submit a log or logs of work hours completed and an evaluation of the internship/professional affiliation site. Students must also have the site supervisor submit two evaluations (midterm and final) to the internship/professional affiliation instructor.
National Certification Exam plus 250 Internship/Professional Affiliation Hours
The internship/professional affiliation must be completed according to the above internship/professional affiliation policy, but only 250 hours of site work are required. The major professor must approve the national certification exam before sitting for the exam. Students must pass the exam to be eligible for graduation.
