EXM- 6010

Applied Research in Exercise and Sports Science

Learn the foundations of research as it pertains to exercise and sports sciences. 

Students will learn selected research techniques and designs utilized in exercise science research with emphasis on general statistics, interpretation of data, research ethics, scientific writing, and library use.

Course Takeaways

• Discuss the essential steps of the scientific method of inquiry.
• Demonstrate proficiency in finding and evaluating research resources on desired topics.
• Identify the major types of research designs used in exercise science research
• Analyze research reports in relevant literature and suggest ways to improve literature review, research design, and data collection procedures.
• Complete research ethics web–based training course.

EXM-6020

Exercise and Sport Nutrition

Learn the nutrition information you need to improve the health of every type of client. 

This course explores the relationships between nutrition, energy metabolism, and exercise and sport performance, with an in-depth analysis of dietary and nutritional supplementation.

Course Takeaways

• Describe the bioenergetic metabolic processes of the cell and how it changes in response to various exercise intensities.
• Describe the nutritional needs of endurance, strength, power athletes, and special populations.
• Assess nutritional needs of physically active individuals.
• Discuss the micronutrient needs of physically active individuals.
• Analyze current literature in sports nutrition research.

EXM-6110

Group Dynamics in Exercise and Sport

Get to know what it takes to build training programs to enable your clients to meet their health and fitness goals.

This course will help prepare you to perform the roles and responsibilities of fitness and health consultants who plan, promote and deliver a wide variety of services. These include activity and educational programs that enhance the health, fitness and well-being of individuals and groups in diverse settings.

Course Takeaways

• Explain the components of and rationale for an integrated fitness assessment.
• Create a flexibility training program within the OPT model.
• Design a cardiorespiratory training for base and interval training zones.
• Design a progressive, systematic core training program.
• Design a balance training program.
• Design a plyometric training program progressing through the OPT model
• Design a resistance training program through the different stages of the OPT model.

EXM-6120

Principles of Strength and Conditioning

Gain a strong background in strength and conditioning, from fitness testing to recommending the right training. 

Explore the foundations of strength and conditioning as established by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).  Design and critique strength and conditioning programs based on NSCA guidelines.  Designed to prepare students interested in becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA.

Course Takeaways

• Recommend programming based on how aerobic and anaerobic training affect muscular strength, muscular endurance, power, flexibility, and motor performance.
• Conduct and assess strength and conditioning field tests. Develop recommendations based on test results.
• Demonstrate and critique traditional and non-traditional exercise techniques.
• Design an effective resistance, plyometric, speed and agility, and aerobic training program.

EXM-6130

Analytics in High Performance

Learn how to determine the best way to track your client’s success, and which tools you’ll need to do so.

This course develops skills for the selection, development, and implementation of various types of instruments and techniques for measuring and evaluating health and human performance interventions. Evaluation of these interventions includes general health behaviors, health related fitness, nutritional and dietary intake, body composition, and other areas related to an individual’s quality of life.

Course Takeaways

• Identify the relations between measurement concepts and basic statistics.
• Apply and demonstrate basic statistics for a set of test scores and interpret the scores in meaningful ways.
• Differentiate methods of validity and reliability evidence of health-related measures.
• Design or evaluate the various measurements or test settings and conduct evidence-based practice in human performance, kinesiology, exercise and sport science, physical education, and health fields.

EXM-6140

Applied Foundations in High Performance

Grow your training toolbox by learning your training options to improve sports performance for your clients and prepare yourself for the National Academy of Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist qualification. 

During this course students will examine a systematic approach to integrated performance training using the National Academy of Sports Medicine’s Optimum Performance Training model. This course is designed to prepare students interested in becoming a Performance Enhancement Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Course Takeaways

• Explain the components of and scientific rationale for integrated training.
• Administer the components of an integrated sports performance assessment.
• Explain the rationale and provide examples of cardiorespiratory training, core training, integrated flexibility, balance training, plyometric training, speed, agility, and quickness training, integrated resistance training, and Olympic lifting for sports performance enhancement.
• Explain and apply the National Academy of Sports Medicine Code of Ethics.

EXM-6150

Psychological Aspects of Sport and Exercise

Learn how sports and exercise affect mental health and well-being. 

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the theories and principles that influence human behavior in sport and physical activity contexts. Sport and exercise psychology practitioners focus primarily on helping individuals use psychological principles and skills to achieve optimal performance and derive satisfaction through sport participation, and understanding how participation in sport, exercise, and physical activity affects psychological development, health, and well-being.

Course Takeaways

• Demonstrate proper use of exercise psychology terminology
• Explain and apply the trans-theoretical model
• Explain and apply goal-setting strategies
• Explain and apply strategies for increasing exercise adherence

EXM-6990

Practicum

Learn how to build a sports nutrition program by planning a case study on a member or your community. 

This course examines the planning and implementation of a sports nutrition program. Students are required to complete a nutrition assessment and planning case study on a member of their community.

Course Takeaways

• Apply methods of assessing body size and composition, dietary intake, physical activity and energy expenditure
• Perform a nutrition assessment
• Based on a nutrition assessment, plan a protocol to determine an individual’s nutritional status and make recommendations
• Prepare for and complete a national exam in sports nutrition

EXM-6030

Leadership: Theory and Practice

Grow your leadership skills and learn how to build your own fitness business.

This course explores the interfaces between human resource management, operations, marketing, and entrepreneurship within the context of entrepreneurial, for-profit and nonprofit fitness and health promotion ventures. Students will develop a business plan for potential funding.

Course Takeaways

• Define entrepreneurship and provide examples of various forms.
• Discuss critical components involved in hiring and retaining employees.
• Discuss the components of an effective marketing plan.
• Develop a business plan for a fitness and health promotion venture.

EXM-6998

Capstone

• $500 per credit hour
• Military: $450 per credit hour
• 33 credit hours
• Transfer up to 25 credit hours

Next Start Date: September 13, 2021

Admissions Requirements
Bachelor’s degree required. A GPA of 2.5 is required. Students entering the program will be required to have completed a Biology course in the undergraduate curriculum. If not, students will have to complete a Biology course (Intro to Anatomy and Physiology) as part of the entry requirements.

Transfer Students
Transfer students seeking a master’s degree must present an official transcript of all previous undergraduate course work.

There are a variety of careers available for those who achieve their Masters of Science in Exercise & Movement Science. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for coaches and scouts are expected to grow 12% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for other industries.

Within the exercise science field, graduates can pursue careers as:

• Sports Coach
• Performance Coach
• Sports Performance Specialist

While some may require extra certification or experience, a Masters of Science in Exercise & Movement Science will put you on the right track to meeting your goals.

Tuition Discount
Active duty military and veterans are eligible to receive a $50/credit-hour tuition discount, lowering their tuition to $450/credit hour.

Top College

St. Francis has been ranked #5 on US News World & Report’s Best Colleges for Veterans list. We are also proud members of the Yellow Ribbon program. Learn more about our military benefits here.