Exercise and Sport Science
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ESS is a founding member of the American Kinesiology Association
M.S. and M.Ed. Degrees
Specific objectives:
- Increased understanding of exercise, sport, and physical activity from a range of different knowledge bases.
- Increased understanding of modes of inquiry in exercise, sport, and physical activity.
- Increased understanding of exercise, sport, and physical activity focusing on one specialized knowledge base.
Requirements for the Master of Science and Master of Education in Exercise and Sport Science
At least one-half of the minimum hours required must be completed in 600- or
700-level courses. A minimum of 24 hours must be completed in the Department
of Exercise and Sport Science.
Core Requirements (6 hours)
One course in each of the two groups of discipline-focused
areas, sociohistorical/behavioral and biophysical, is required. Students will
select a course from each area in consultation with their advisor. The listing
below can be used by students to guide their selection of appropriate courses.
Other courses may be acceptable with instructor and advisor approval.
Sociocultural/Behavioral studies include courses that focus on the historical
and sociological, psychological and behavioral aspects of exercise, sport, and
physical activity. Acceptable courses include:
ESS 630 Sport and Society: Socioeconomic and Gender Relations
ESS 632 Sport and Society: Global and Ethnic Relations
ESS 644 Psychological Aspects of Sports
ESS 647 Motor Development and Human Movement
ESS 648 Learning and Performance of Physical Skills
ESS 656 Psycho-social Aspects of Teaching Physical Education and Sport
Biophysical studies included courses that deal with physiological, nutritional
and biomechanical aspects of exercise, sport, and physical activity. Acceptable
courses include:
ESS 670 Physiology of Exercise
ESS 576 Nutrition and Physical Fitness
ESS 579 Exercise and Older Adults
ESS 643 Mechanical Analysis of Motor Skills
ESS 677 Muscular Aspects of Exercise Physiology
ESS 678 Cardiovascular Aspects of Exercise Physiology
Research Techniques (3 hours)
ESS 611 Research Methods for Exercise and Sport Science (3).
M.S. - Thesis/Project Option
Electives (15 hours)
With the approval of the advisor, the student selects 15 hours of 500- to
700-level course work that constitute a specialized knowledge base relevant
to the student’s academic interests and goals.
Research and Thesis (6 hours)
One of the following:
ESS 698 Field Project in Exercise and Sport Science (6)
ESS 699 Thesis (6)
M.S. - Course Work Only Option
Electives (27 hours)
With the approval of the advisor, the student selects 27 hours of 500- to
700-level course work that constitute a specialized knowledge base relevant
to the student’s academic interests and goals.
Integrative Experience
The student’s advisor and two other graduate faculty members (selected
by the student with approval of the advisor) give guidance to the integrative
experience and evaluate the outcome. In some cases, face-to-face meetings
of the faculty may be needed; in other cases they may be unnecessary. With
the approval of the advisor, the student selects one of the following (if
a course option is selected, the hours are included in electives):
1) Comprehensive Examination. The student’s advisor and two other Graduate
Faculty members (see above), in consultation with the student, develop one
comprehensive examination question that requires integration of various bodies
of knowledge related to the student’s course of study. The question
should also be related to the student’s particular professional focus.
The student may use the full range of available scholarly resources including
discussion with faculty in developing the answer. The completed answer must
be submitted within six weeks after receiving the question. All three faculty
members evaluate the questions using “pass” and “not pass”
standards.
2) ESS 595 Exercise Science Internship (3) or (6)
3) ESS 694 Internship in Sport and Physical Education (3-6)
4) ESS 695 Independent Study (1-3)
5) ESS 697 Field Practicum in Exercise and Sport Science (3-6)
M.Ed. - Thesis/Project Option
Physical Education
ESS 655 Analysis of Teaching Behavior (3)
Electives (12 hours)
With the approval of the advisor, the student selects 12 hours of 500- to
700-level course work in the School of Education. Beyond this, the following
two courses are strongly recommended:
ESS 646 Theoretical Considerations of Physical Education for Children (3)
ESS 656 Psycho-Social Aspects of Teaching Physical Education and Sport (3)
Research and Thesis (6 hours)
One of the following:
ESS 698 Field Project in Exercise and Sport Science (6)
ESS 699 Thesis (6)
M.Ed. - Course Work Only Option
Physical Education
ESS 655 Analysis of Teaching Behavior (3)
Electives (24 hours)
With the approval of the advisor, the student selects 24 hours of 500- to
700-level course work that constitute a specialized knowledge base relevant
to the student’s academic interests and goals. A minimum of 6 hours
must be completed in the School of Education. Beyond this, the following two
courses are strongly recommended:
ESS 646 Theoretical Considerations of Physical Education for Children (3)
ESS 656 Psycho-Social Aspects of Teaching Physical Education and Sport (3)
Integrative Experience
See details of Integrative Experience explained under M.S. - Course Work Only
Option.
Distinctions Between Thesis, Project, and Internship
A thesis or project involves a process in which the student is centrally
concerned with applying expert knowledge to solve a problem. An internship
involves a process in which the student is centrally concerned with gaining
additional expert knowledge through participation and observation in a field
setting.
- Thesis. Involves carrying out research that is guided by a recognized
research paradigm (e.g., scientific, interpretive) and producing a scholarly
report of the process and results. The student's work is guided by a committee
of three faculty members, and a final oral examination pertaining to the
thesis is required.
- Project. Involves developing, implementing, and/or evaluating a focused
plan for action in a professional field setting. The student provides his/her
knowledge as a resource to assist professionals in the field to carry out
these processes. The student's work is guided by a committee of three faculty
members, and a final oral examination pertaining to the focused plan for
action is required.
- Internship. Involves extensive, hands-on experience in a professional
setting. The professionals in the field provide their understanding of the
setting and their professional practices to assist the student in gaining
practical experience. The student's work is guided and evaluated by one
faculty member, in consultation with the supervisory professional(s) in
the field. No final oral examination is required.
Sociocultural/Behavioral studies include courses that focus on the historical and sociological, psychological and behavioral aspects of exercise, sport, and physical activity. Acceptable courses include:
ESS 630 Sport and Society: Socioeconomic and Gender Relations
ESS 632 Sport and Society: Global and Ethnic Relations
ESS 644 Psychological Aspects of Sports
ESS 647 Motor Development and Human Movement
ESS 648 Learning and Performance of Physical Skills
ESS 656 Psycho-social Aspects of Teaching Physical Education and Sport
Biophysical studies included courses that deal with physiological, nutritional
and biomechanical aspects of exercise, sport, and physical activity. Acceptable
courses include:
ESS 670 Physiology of Exercise
ESS 576 Nutrition and Physical Fitness
ESS 579 Exercise and Older Adults
ESS 643 Mechanical Analysis of Motor Skills
ESS 677 Muscular Aspects of Exercise Physiology
ESS 678 Cardiovascular Aspects of Exercise Physiology
Research Techniques (3 hours)
ESS 611 Research Methods for Exercise and Sport Science (3).
M.S. - Thesis/Project Option
Electives (15 hours)
With the approval of the advisor, the student selects 15 hours of 500- to
700-level course work that constitute a specialized knowledge base relevant
to the student’s academic interests and goals.
Research and Thesis (6 hours)
One of the following:
ESS 698 Field Project in Exercise and Sport Science (6)
ESS 699 Thesis (6)
M.S. - Course Work Only Option
Electives (27 hours)
With the approval of the advisor, the student selects 27 hours of 500- to
700-level course work that constitute a specialized knowledge base relevant
to the student’s academic interests and goals.
Integrative Experience
The student’s advisor and two other graduate faculty members (selected
by the student with approval of the advisor) give guidance to the integrative
experience and evaluate the outcome. In some cases, face-to-face meetings
of the faculty may be needed; in other cases they may be unnecessary. With
the approval of the advisor, the student selects one of the following (if
a course option is selected, the hours are included in electives):
1) Comprehensive Examination. The student’s advisor and two other Graduate
Faculty members (see above), in consultation with the student, develop one
comprehensive examination question that requires integration of various bodies
of knowledge related to the student’s course of study. The question
should also be related to the student’s particular professional focus.
The student may use the full range of available scholarly resources including
discussion with faculty in developing the answer. The completed answer must
be submitted within six weeks after receiving the question. All three faculty
members evaluate the questions using “pass” and “not pass”
standards.
2) ESS 595 Exercise Science Internship (3) or (6)
3) ESS 694 Internship in Sport and Physical Education (3-6)
4) ESS 695 Independent Study (1-3)
5) ESS 697 Field Practicum in Exercise and Sport Science (3-6)
M.Ed. - Thesis/Project Option
Physical Education
ESS 655 Analysis of Teaching Behavior (3)
Electives (12 hours)
With the approval of the advisor, the student selects 12 hours of 500- to
700-level course work in the School of Education. Beyond this, the following
two courses are strongly recommended:
ESS 646 Theoretical Considerations of Physical Education for Children (3)
ESS 656 Psycho-Social Aspects of Teaching Physical Education and Sport (3)
Research and Thesis (6 hours)
One of the following:
ESS 698 Field Project in Exercise and Sport Science (6)
ESS 699 Thesis (6)
M.Ed. - Course Work Only Option
Physical Education
ESS 655 Analysis of Teaching Behavior (3)
Electives (24 hours)
With the approval of the advisor, the student selects 24 hours of 500- to
700-level course work that constitute a specialized knowledge base relevant
to the student’s academic interests and goals. A minimum of 6 hours
must be completed in the School of Education. Beyond this, the following two
courses are strongly recommended:
ESS 646 Theoretical Considerations of Physical Education for Children (3)
ESS 656 Psycho-Social Aspects of Teaching Physical Education and Sport (3)
Integrative Experience
See details of Integrative Experience explained under M.S. - Course Work Only
Option.
Distinctions Between Thesis, Project, and Internship
-
A thesis or project involves a process in which the student is centrally
concerned with applying expert knowledge to solve a problem. An internship
involves a process in which the student is centrally concerned with gaining
additional expert knowledge through participation and observation in a field
setting.
- Thesis. Involves carrying out research that is guided by a recognized research paradigm (e.g., scientific, interpretive) and producing a scholarly report of the process and results. The student's work is guided by a committee of three faculty members, and a final oral examination pertaining to the thesis is required.
- Project. Involves developing, implementing, and/or evaluating a focused plan for action in a professional field setting. The student provides his/her knowledge as a resource to assist professionals in the field to carry out these processes. The student's work is guided by a committee of three faculty members, and a final oral examination pertaining to the focused plan for action is required.
- Internship. Involves extensive, hands-on experience in a professional setting. The professionals in the field provide their understanding of the setting and their professional practices to assist the student in gaining practical experience. The student's work is guided and evaluated by one faculty member, in consultation with the supervisory professional(s) in the field. No final oral examination is required.