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.
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
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
Note: These are the admission requirements in place at the time this catalog content was published.
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 |
| HSES 805 | Laboratory Experiments and Analysis--Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| HSES 810 | Advanced Exercise Science Seminar | 3 |
| Completion Option | 9 | |
| Students complete either a thesis or an exam. The requirements for each are below. | ||
Thesis Requirements 1 | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Analysis | ||
| Lab for Introduction to Statistical Analysis | ||
| Biochemistry of Exercise | ||
| Field Experience in: _____ | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Thesis students should choose 6 credit hours from the following: | ||
| Skeletal Muscle Physiology | ||
| Biomechanics in Sports | ||
| Exercise and the Cardiovascular System | ||
| Advanced Essentials of Sport Science | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 30 | |
| Exam without Oral Component Requirements | ||
| Advanced Concepts in Nutrition | ||
| Advanced Essentials of Sport Science | ||
| Internship in Exercise Science | ||
| Biomechanics in Sports | ||
| Skeletal Muscle Physiology 2 | ||
or HSES 772 | Exercise and the Cardiovascular System | |
Elective Coursework (12 Hours) 3 | ||
| TOTAL HOURS 4 | 36 | |
- 1
The Master's thesis defense is to be completed during the final semester of study.
- 2
If students want to take both courses, one can count as an elective.
- 3
Electives are determined in consultation with their faculty advisor.
- 4
Written comprehensive exam will be completed during the final semester of study.
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 | ||
| EPSY 710 | Introduction to Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| EPSY 711 | Lab for Introduction to Statistical Analysis | 1 |
| or PSYC 790 | Statistical Methods in Psychology I | |
| EPSY 715 | Understanding Research in Education | 3 |
| Select 5 from the following: | 7 | |
| 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 | ||
| Plan of Study | 15 | |
| Electives are chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisor and must be approved by advisor. | ||
| Completion Option | ||
| Select one of the following culminating effort options to complete the program. | ||
Thesis Option: HSES 899 and 1 Elective (8 hours total) | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 30 | |
OR | ||
Exam without oral component: Students select 5 additional courses (14 hours total) 2 | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 36 | |
- 1
Electives are chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisor and must be approved by the advisor.
- 2
Written comprehensive exam is to be completed during the final semester of study.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework | ||
| 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 | |
| Thesis or Non-Thesis Requirements | 6-12 | |
| Students complete either a thesis or an exam. The requirements for each are below. | ||
Thesis Requirements | ||
Thesis students take 6 hours in addition to the core requirements | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
Non-Thesis Requirements | ||
Non-thesis students take 12 hours in addition to the core requirements | ||
| Sport Facilities | ||
| Independent Study (3 hours required) | ||
| Internship in Sport Management (3 hours required) | ||
Elective 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 30-36 | |
Concentration - 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 Hours | 36 | |
At least 50% of coursework in the master degree must be at the 700 level or above.
Exercise Science
Degree Map for MSE: Exam (Non-Thesis) Option
Notes: Courses are offered either once per year or once every other year, so actual degree plan may vary depending on which semester the student begins taking classes. Students are highly encouraged to work with their advisor to find the schedule that works best for their plan.
Fall 2026
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| HSES 825 | 3 | HSES 730 | 3 |
| EPSY 715 | 3 | HSES 820 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | HSES 860 | 3 |
| 9 | 9 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| HSES 805 | 3 | HSES 771 | 6 |
| HSES 810 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Comprehensive Exam | |||
| 9 | 12 | ||
| Total Hours 39 | |||
12 elective credits are required
*Students must take either HSES 825 Skeletal Muscle Physiology OR HSES 872 Exercise and the Cardiovascular System.
Electives (Non-Exhaustive): EPSY 710 Intro to Statistical Analysis, EPSY 804 Sport Psychology, HSES 831 Ethics in the Sports Industry, HSES 840 Organizational Behavior in Sport, HSES 884 Legal Aspects of Sport, EPSY 892 Psychology of Physical Activity, HSES 910 Biochemistry of Exercise, HSES 920 Adv Methods of Strength Training and Conditioning, HSES 960 Adv Biomechanics and Data Programming
Sport Management
Degree Plan
| Year 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| HSES 801 | 3 | HSES 831 | 3 | HSES 828 | 3 |
| HSES 830 | 3 | HSES 840 | 3 | HSES 842 | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | |||
| Year 2 | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| HSES 884 | 3 | HSES 885 | 3 | HSES 880* | 3 |
| EPSY 715 | 3 | HSES 886 | 3 | HSES 896** | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | |||
| Total Hours 36 | |||||
* Can be taken any semester
** Must be taken the last semester of study
Health Education
Thesis Option (30 Hours)
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| HSES 812 | 3 | HSES 803 | 3 |
| EPSY 710 | 3 | EPSY 715 | 3 |
| EPSY 711 | 1 | ABSC 710 | 3 |
| PRVM 804 or HP&M 837 | 3 | ||
| 10 | 9 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| HSES 814 | 3 | HSES 899 | 1-6 |
| HSES 899 | 1-6 | Elective | 2-3 |
| 4-9 | 3-9 | ||
| Total Hours 26-37 | |||
Students are highly encouraged to work with their advisor to find the schedule that works best for their plan.
Non-Thesis Option (36 Hours)
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| HSES 812 | 3 | HSES 803 | 3 |
| EPSY 710 | 3 | EPSY 715 | 3 |
| EPSY 711 | 1 | ABSC 710 | 3 |
| PRVM 804 or HP&M 837 | 3 | ||
| 10 | 9 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| HSES 814 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 2-3 |
| Comprehensive Exam | |||
| 9 | 8-9 | ||
| Total Hours 36-37 | |||
* Students are highly encouraged to work with their advisor to find the schedule that works best for their plan and find the electives that fit their interests.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Employ appropriate research methods to address study and/or program objectives to support and advance the fields of health, sport and exercise sciences.
- Demonstrate course knowledge and relevant skills to practical field and/or clinical experiences within health, sport and exercise sciences.
- Communicate complex concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences and discipline stakeholders.
- Maintain relevant ethical principles and professional standards while engaging with partners in health, sport and exercise sciences.
- Assess complex problems using critical thinking to generate innovative solutions.