Admission Process
Thank you for your interest in the MS Exercise Physiology program.
The M.S. Physiology curriculum will follow a cohort design with either a summer or fall start. Summer start will take two courses online in the summer and then take the fall and spring courses in person. Summer start will have a May graduation. Fall start will take the fall and spring courses in person and then take the summer online courses. Fall start will have an August graduation. Contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. Jessica Albers at jessica.albers@mnsu.edu with any questions.
Review of applications will begin November 1st. We will continue to review applications and accept students until the cohort is full.
Requirements
- BS Degree: Candidates should have a major in exercise science, exercise & sport science, kinesiology, athletic training, physiology, or a closely related field. The BS degree needs to be complete by the start of the graduate program.
- Pre-requisites: Core pre-requisite coursework includes basic statistics, physiology of exercise, and a course in nutrition. We welcome students from science-based majors who may not have the pre-requisite courses. Contact the exercise physiology program coordinator to discuss your course background and admissions recommendation.
- GPA: Our program does not have a specified minimum GPA, however, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 is typically necessary to compete for a spot.
- GRE: We do not require the GRE.
- References: In the application, you will be asked to provide contact information for 2 references. They will receive a link to complete a short reference form. If your reference would prefer to submit a letter, they can email it to gradapp@mnsu.edu with your name and Exercise Physiology in the subject. These references should be a mix of academic, professional, or research-based references.
- Personal Statement: You will be asked to respond to two prompts. The first asks why the M.S. Exercise Physiology program is the next logical step for you (400-word maximum). The second reflects on a time you have had to solve a problem (250-word maximum). Full prompts are in the application.
- Resume: You will submit a resume or CV.
- International Students: You may need to submit TOEFL scores or official transcripts with U.S. equivalences (if you earned your undergraduate degree outside the United States). Please reach out to the Graduate Studies Office for more information.
Graduation Admissions Site
Apply through GradCAS. The program application opens on September 9th.
Funding Opportunities
There are many opportunities for graduate students to find funding for tuition and student fees.
Always complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and file at FASFA.gov (available October 1st each year). You may qualify for a work-study position within our department, assisting in teaching and research. Work-study typically includes tuition and a stipend.
There are many graduate assistantships (GAs) options on campus. GA positions typically include tuition and a stipend.
- If you are interested in a GA position in the Athletic Department, contact the head coaches of the sports you are interested in or the strength & conditioning coaches for information on positions available.
- The Exercise Physiology program offers 1-3 GAs a year to teach in our lab. The official notice will be posted on the HR website usually in early March.
- We have GA contracts with local establishments like United Hospital and South Central College. When you apply, you will be notified of available GAs positions.
- Many of our students obtain GAs teaching in the Department of Biological Sciences.
- A variety of GA positions are available campus-wide. Check out the HR website for position postings and keep an eye on deadlines.
Contact Dr. Jessica Albers (Ex Phys Program Coordinator) with questions.
