Master of Science in Exercise Science

 

Exercise Science Program 3110 Human Health Building  (map) (248) 370-3562 • Fax (248) 364-8657 www.oakland.edu/shs/es/

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Director:
Brian R. Goslin
3160 Human Health Building
(248) 364-8688
goslin@oakland.edu

 

Program description

This interdisciplinary program emphasizes the role of exercise in health improvement and in the primary and secondary prevention of chronic degenerative disease. The curriculum addresses the inter-relationships among lifestyle, health and physical activity and optimization of human performance. Clinical experience is gained through cooperating internship sites. Graduates of the program are prepared for professional positions such as cardiac stress testing specialists; exercise specialists in medical settings; sport scientists; and directors of adult fitness programs, human performance enhancement programs, cardiac rehabilitation programs and health maintenance/health improvement programs in corporate, industrial and educational settings.

Full-time students complete the degree in 18 to 24 months. Part-time students usually require three to four years, depending on the number of credits taken per year. All courses are available in the evening, and several are offered in a concentrated weekend “executive style” format.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

• July 15 for fall semester
• November 15 for winter semester
• March 15 for summer semester

Readmission and program transfer

Requests for readmission and program transfers must be completed and approved prior to the beginning of a semester.

International application deadlines

International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment in the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission. International applicants are not eligible for Special Graduate classification.

Special Graduate classification

Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission.  The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department.  Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.

Students may request special graduate classification beginning  with the dates below.

• August 1 for fall semester
• December 1 for winter semester
• April 1 for summer semester

Note: Special Graduate classification will not be granted after the first week of classes in a semester.

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.

University graduate application requirements

• Online Application for Admission to Graduate Study         
• Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
  • As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
• Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
  (Note: Some programs require more than two recommendation forms. Refer to the program application requirements listed below for the total number of recommendations and specific requirements for the recommendations.)
• Proof of English language proficiency

• International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

Program application requirements

• Applicants should have a background in basic and applied health sciences and a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.
• Exercise Science Supplemental Application which includes a goal statement
• Requirements for recommendations
  The two Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms listed above must be from academics familiar with the student’s abilities (preferred) or from employment supervisors.
• International applicants must take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and arrange for their official GRE scores to be submitted to Oakland University. The institution code for Oakland University is 1497.

Applicants with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0 with the appropriate academic background and strong letters of recommendation may be considered for admission with limited standing. Applicants who qualify for this admission status must complete a minimum of 12 credits of graduate-level work, with a GPA of 3.0 or above, to be advanced to full admission.

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

Program prerequisites

Completion of the following prerequisite courses is required. Students should have completed the required prerequisite coursework at the appropriate undergraduate or graduate level, prior to beginning coursework for the master’s degree.

• Human anatomy
• Human physiology
• Exercise physiology
• Kinesiology (human motion analysis)
• Statistics
• First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Four credits of health enhancement (or physical education activity/theory).

While not required, additional coursework in biochemistry, organic chemistry, and mathematics through precalculus is recommended.

Oakland University equivalents for prerequisite coursework

• BIO 205 - Human Anatomy (4 credits)
• BIO 207 - Human Physiology (4 credits)
• BIO 325* - Biochemistry I (4 credits)
  or
  CHM 201* - Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry (4 credits)
• EXS 103 - Exercise (Strength Training) and Health Enhancement (2 credits)
• EXS 105 - Cardiovascular Fitness Training (2 credits)
• EXS 207 - Safety and First Aid in Exercise Settings (2 credits)
• EXS 304 - Exercise Physiology (3 credits)
• EXS 306 - Exercise Physiology Laboratory (1 credit)
• EXS 350 - Human Motion Analysis (4 credits)
• MTH 141* - Precalculus (4 credits)
• STA 225  - Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Reasoning (4 credits)
  or
  PSY 251  - Statistics and Research Design (4 credits)

* Not a prerequisite; however, it is recommended that applicants have some background in these areas.