Master of Science in Education in Health, Sport Management, and Exercise Science
The Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences (HSES) offers the Masters of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree with a concentration in the following areas:
- Exercise Science
- Health Education
- Sport Management (Online)
The Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences (HSES) prepares aspiring students to work in health, sport management, and exercise science-related fields. Depending on the concentration, HSES graduates apply their knowledge to serve as strength and conditioning coaches, personal trainers, sport scientists, community health workers, health educators, researchers, clinicians, sport event coordinators, directors of sport operations, sport administrators and other professionals in academic, private, and public settings.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet both the University and departmental admission requirements to be considered for the program.
University of Kansas Graduate Admission Requirements
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Masters of Science in Education in Health, Sport and Exercise Science Application Requirements
- A completed graduate application.
- Application fee.
- Official transcripts of all degree-granting post-secondary institutions you have attended and an official transcript for each degree earned.
- Three letters of recommendation. (2 letters for those applying to the online Sport Management program).
- Personal statement declaring your interest in the program and its relationship to your graduate course or study and/or career objectives.
- Current resume or CV.
- Writing sample
- GRE scores within the last 5 years.
Prerequisites for applicants to the Exercise Science concentration
Applicants are required to have completed credits from the following KU courses, or transfer credit from equivalent non-KU courses: BIOL 240 (Human Anatomy); BIOL 246 (Principles of Human Physiology); HSES 369 (Kinesiology) OR HSES 470 (Biomechanics); HSES 372 (Exercise Physiology). Questions regarding these courses can be directed to the department.
M.S.E. Degree Programs
The Master of Science in Education with a major in Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences is offered with concentrations in exercise science, health education, and sport management (online only). The degree programs require a minimum of 31 hours for the thesis option or 36 hours for the examination option.
Concentration- Exercise Science
Required courses for thesis and exam option:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework | ||
| EPSY 715 | Understanding Research in Education | 3 |
| EPSY 710 | Introduction to Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| EPSY 711 | Lab for Introduction to Statistical Analysis | 1 |
| HSES 805 | Laboratory Experiments and Analysis--Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| HSES 810 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| HSES 825 | Skeletal Muscle Physiology | 3 |
| HSES 872 | Exercise and the Cardiovascular System | 3 |
| Total hours | 18 | |
Additional 12 hrs. of required courses for thesis students 1 | ||
| Biochemistry of Exercise | ||
| Field Experience in: _____ | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
Additional 18 hrs of required courses for exam students | ||
| Advanced Concepts in Nutrition | ||
| Internship in Exercise Science | ||
Electives (total 9 hrs) 2 | ||
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS FOR DEGREE | 31-37 | |
- 1
The Master's thesis defense is to be completed during the final semester of study.
- 2
Students doing the examination option are required to take 9 hours of electives in consultation with their advisor. A sample listing is below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Elective Course Options: | ||
| EPSY 804 | Sport Psychology | 3 |
| HSES 831 | Ethics in the Sport Industry | 3 |
| HSES 840 | Organizational Behavior in Sport | 3 |
| HSES 860 | Biomechanics in Sports | 3 |
| HSES 884 | Legal Aspects of Sport | 3 |
| HSES 892 | Psychology of Physical Activity | 3 |
| HSES 910 | Biochemistry of Exercise | 3 |
| HSES 960 | Advanced Biomechanics and Data Programming | 3 |
Concentration – Health Education
The M.S E. In Health, Sport & Exercise Science concentration in Health Education ranges from 30-36 credit hours, depending on whether one pursues a thesis (30-hour) or examination (36-hour) program option. The degree requires successful passage of a thesis defense or an examination.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses for all students: | ||
| EPSY 710 | Introduction to Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| EPSY 711 | Lab for Introduction to Statistical Analysis | 1 |
| OR | ||
| Statistical Methods in Psychology I | ||
| EPSY 715 | Understanding Research in Education | 3 |
| Students select 5 of the following courses below: (15 hours) | ||
| Health Behavior Theory | ||
| Sport Psychology | ||
| Stress Management | ||
| Current Issues in Health | ||
| Implementing Health Programs | ||
| Behavior Modification in Health and Exercise | ||
| Psychology of Physical Activity | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Hours of Additional courses: | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 22 | |
Thesis students:
In addition to the 22 hrs. of core requirements, Thesis Students take an additional 8-9 hrs for a total of 30-31 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HSES 899 | Master's Thesis | 6 |
| Elective 1 | 2-3 | |
| Total Credit hours for Thesis Students: | 30-31 | |
Master's Thesis defense will be completed during the final semester of study. | ||
Examination students:
Students completing the comprehensive examination option must take 14-15 hours of elective courses selected in consultation with their advisor in addition to the 22 hours of course requirements:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Elective 1 1 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Elective 5 | 2-3 | |
| Total Credit Hours for Exam students: | 36 | |
Written Comprehensive Exam is to be completed during the final semester of study. | ||
- 1
Electives are chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisor and must be approved by the advisor.
.Concentration - Sport Management- (On-Campus Program)
The on-campus MSE in Sport Management is not accepting applications at this time.
Courses required for the Thesis and Non-Thesis option:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EPSY 715 | Understanding Research in Education | 3 |
| HSES 828 | Sport Finance | 3 |
| HSES 830 | Socio-Cultural Dimensions of Sport | 3 |
| HSES 831 | Ethics in the Sport Industry | 3 |
| HSES 840 | Organizational Behavior in Sport | 3 |
| HSES 842 | Sports Marketing | 3 |
| HSES 884 | Legal Aspects of Sport | 3 |
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| REQUIRED COURSES | 27 | |
Additional requirements (Thesis Track)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HSES 899 | Master's Thesis | 6 |
| Total Program Hours (Thesis Track) | 30 | |
Additional requirements (Non-thesis Track)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HSES 801 | Sport Facilities | 3 |
| HSES 897 | Independent Study | 3 |
| HSES 880 | Internship in Sport Management | 3 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Total Program Hours (Non-Thesis Track) | 36 | |
At least 50% of coursework in the master degree must be at the 700 level or above.
Online Concentration in Sport Management
The online Master’s in Sport Management consists of 36 credit hours of coursework, a practicum, and a capstone course to be taken during the final semester of study.
Sport Management - Online Program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HSES 830 | Socio-Cultural Dimensions of Sport | 3 |
| HSES 831 | Ethics in the Sport Industry | 3 |
| HSES 828 | Sport Finance | 3 |
| HSES 842 | Sports Marketing | 3 |
| HSES 884 | Legal Aspects of Sport | 3 |
| HSES 840 | Organizational Behavior in Sport | 3 |
| EPSY 715 | Understanding Research in Education | 3 |
| HSES 886 | Sport Fundraising | 3 |
| HSES 885 | Sport Sponsorship | 3 |
| HSES 801 | Sport Facilities | 3 |
| HSES 880 | Internship in Sport Management | 3 |
| HSES 896 | Capstone in Sport Management | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Develop marketing, fundraising, and sponsorship strategies and plans for sport programs.
- Understand the purposes, methods, and techniques in the conduct of research in the sport management setting.
- Apply a socio-cultural and ethical perspective to issues in sport management.
- Understand the relevant legal and ethical issues that sport managers deal with in a professional setting.
- Understand the distinct economic and financial structures of sport leagues and organizations.
- Demonstrate an understanding of facility development, management, and maintenance as well as event planning for sport organizations.
- Apply sport management knowledge and skills to a practical setting.