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MS in Nutrition & Exercise Physiology - Emphasis in Exercise Physiology

Application deadline for the PhD program is Dec 30th and the MS program is Feb 15th. We may have assistantships available.

The focus of the program is physical inactivity, exercise and nutrition strategies for weight management and the prevention of lifestyle related diseases. Our faculty continually develop new knowledge in exercise training, exercise metabolism and obesity.

The mission of the program is to train graduate students who will provide professional leadership and research developments in the areas of human health.

woman running on treadmill

The curriculum has a scientific basis with core courses in exercise physiology, nutrition, biochemistry, and physiology. Exercise physiology research emphasizes human studies, but other exercise models are available on campus, including the pig (Vet. Biomedical Sci.) and the rat (Medical School and VA).

Teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis.

Requirements

Beginning in the fall of 2013, MS students in Exercise Physiology will be able to choose between two options within the MS Exercise Physiology: a thesis option or an internship option. The course curriculum will be the same for both options.

Thesis option: students will gain experience in the design and implementation of research within the field of Exercise Science, culminating in a written thesis. Internship option: students will gain experience in a work environment through culminating experience of an internship completed in an area allied to Exercise Science.

Customize your MS degree! Make this degree your own!

Students will gain the exercise knowledge culminating in an internship in Exercise Science but have the opportunity to complete a certificate in another field, by using these classes in your electives. For example, students can get a certificate in Public Health or Global Public Health by selecting their electives in public health. Examples of other options for certificates are journalism, science teaching, statistics, etc. Make this degree your own.

Sample curriculum for the public health certificate option are available at the links. Masters: Exercise Physiology+Public Health or Global Public Health.

Graduating from our MS program will provide the student with the preparation for credentialing from organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine (ASCM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Completion of this degree as well as obtaining certification will prepare students for careers such as registered clinical exercise physiologists, strength and conditioning coaching, personal trainer or wellness coach, health/fitness instructor, as well as in other health professions.

Courses (36 credits total)

Prerequisites (MU undergraduate)
Course Title Hours
Chemistry (CHEM gen. & organic-optional) 10 hours
PTH_AS 2201 Anatomy 3 hours
MPP 3202 Elements of Physiology 5 hours
NEP 2340 Human Nutrition 3 hours
NEP 4850 Exercise Physiology 3 hours
Required Courses
Course Title Hours
NEP 8850 Advanced Exercise Physiology 3 hours
NEP 8001 Cardiovascular Disease and Exercise 3 hours
NEP 8860 Exercise Endocrinology 3 hours
ESC_PS 7170: Introduction to Applied Statistics or
an equivalent statistics class		 3 hours
NEP 7500 Research in NEP (mandatory for thesis track; optional for internship track) 3 hours
NEP 8125 Preventive and Therapeutic Exercise Physiology 3 hours
NEP 8127 Advanced Exercise Testing and Prescription 3 hours
NEP 8087 Masters Seminar 2 hours
NEP 8090 Master’s Thesis Research or 8095 Master’s Internship 4 hours
Must Take a Minimum of 2 of the Following Courses
Course Title Hours
NEP 8030 Etiology of Obesity 3 hours
NEP 7340 Human Nutrition II 3 hours
NEP 7970 Sports Nutrition 3 hours
NEP 8340 Nutrition in Human Health 3 hours
Suggested Electives

Other courses are also acceptable from MPP, Biomedical Sciences, Animal Sciences, Public Health, etc.

Course Title Hours
NEP 7200 Sports Performance and Conditioning 3 hours
NEP 7500 Research in NEP 3 hours
BIOCHEM 7270 Biochemistry 3 hours
V_BSCI9435 Molecular Exercise Biology 3 hours
NEP8870 Exercise Metabolism – currently not offered 3 hours

Program & Affiliated Faculty

Affiliated Programs

Exercise Physiology research and graduate training take place in a number of departments and laboratories at MU. Faculty members in affiliated programs and department are listed below: