The United States Department of Labor listed exercise-related jobs among the 30 fastest growing fields in the country for 2008. A master's degree in exercise physiology, which focuses on how humans react to physical activity, can give you a competitive edge to break into the industry by providing you with a specialized education in the sports and fitness field.
Function
Multiple professions require or benefit from a master's degree in exercise physiology. Your course of study can vary depending on which career path you are interested in pursuing, but all courses of study will include kinesiology and human anatomy.
Some of the most common careers for graduates are athletic trainer, personal fitness trainer, and physical education teacher. If you are interested in becoming a physical therapist, continuing on to a PhD program in physical therapy is common after obtaining your master's in exercise physiology (See Reference 3).
Programs
The program you choose to attend should be based on your chosen career path. Many programs, such as Eastern Michigan University's master of science program, allow students to tailor their studies to fit the professional path they plan on pursuing. While core courses in physiology are required for all students, elective classes ranging from specialized nutrition to sports psychology are offered to meet your educational needs.
Commitment
The University of Florida requires a minimum of 30 semester hours in order to graduate from its exercise physiology master's program. As a full-time student, you may accomplish this in 12 to 18 months, but a part-time student might require up to three years. Additional time may be necessary if courses are needed to supplement your bachelor's degree before beginning the master's program.
Considerations
An undergraduate degree in a related field such as biology or kinesiology is usually required to enter a graduate exercise physiology program. Most master's programs require submission of GRE -- Graduate Requisite Exam -- scores for review along with your application. The score requirement on the exam necessary for admission varies from school to school. The University of Massachusetts at Amherst, ranked as the No. 1 kinesiology department in the country by the National Research Council, requires a score of 1,000.
References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: The 30 Fastest-growing Occupations; 2008
- Universities.com: Masters Degrees in Exercise Physiology
- Education-Portal.com: Exercise Science Graduate Studies Program Overviews
- University of Massachusetts: Graduate Programs
- University of Floriday: APK Master's Program-Exercise Physiology
- Eastern Michigan University: Master of Science in Exercise Physiology
Member Comments