Bulletin Year: 2022 - 2023 Graduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

Admission Requirements

  • Comply with the regular admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, which includes an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, and
  • have either:
    a) a degree in a relevant major, or 
    b) have a minimum of nine semester hours of relevant course work (human anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, physics, nutrition) with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. 

Applicants are expected to have a solid background in exercise science. The exercise science admissions committee may recommend appropriate courses to strengthen the background of the student. The committee may require the student to complete significant prerequisite courses that are missing or they may recommend that courses be taken in other relevant areas to substitute for the deficiencies.

All Applicants must submit:

  1. Graduate admission application and fee.  
  2. Official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions.

An applicant with a GPA of less than a 2.75 seeking conditional admission must also submit three letters of recommendation before the application may be considered.

Application Due Dates

Rolling admissions; Fall semester starts preferred.

Applicants applying for a graduate assistantship must meet the standards listed above for GPA of 3.0 or better, provide a one-page personal statement and complete a Teaching Checklist available from hhp@nmu.edu. Normally, selection of graduate assistants is completed by March 15.

MS in Exercise Science Curriculum

For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the Health and Human Performance department page.

Total Credits Required 32
Required Courses 17
ES 500 Introduction to Research 2
ES 511 Statistics and Measurements 3
ES 521 Advanced Exercise Physiology 3
ES 531 Advanced Seminar in Exercise Science 3
ES 540 Advanced Mechanical Kinesiology 3
HN 516 Sports Nutrition 3
 
Elective Course Selections:  A minimum of 15 elective credits are required for the degree. These credits may be taken in a variety of areas; others may be available but must be advisor approved. 15
   AIS 535 Using Scholarly Library Resources (2)  
   BI 425 Endocrinology (4)  
   BI 510 Advanced Human Physiology (4)  
   BI 511 Advanced Animal Physiology (3)  
   CH 450 Biochemistry I (4)  
   CH 452 Biochemistry II (4)  
   CH 454 Biochemical techniques (4)  
   ES 421 Physiology of training for sport (3)  
   ES 422 Sport Biomechanics (3)  
   ES 470 Psychological Aspects of Athletic Performance (3)  
   ES 475 Theory of strength and conditioning (3)  
   ES 476 Exercise and Fitness for Specialized Populations (3)  
   ES 571A Laboratory Procedures - Maximum Oxygen Uptake (1)  
   ES 571B Laboratory Procedures - Indirect Calorimetry (1)  
   ES 571C Laboratory Procedures - Lactate and Ventilatory Threshold (1)  
   ES 571D Laboratory Procedures - Videography: Kinematics (1)  
   ES 571E Laboratory Procedures - Electromyography (1)  
   ES 571F Laboratory Procedures - Force Measures (1)  
   ES 572 Internship (1-2)  
   ES 595 Special Topics in Exercise Science (1-4)  
   ES 597 Directed Study, S/U (1-4)  
   ES 598 Directed Study, A/F (1-4)  
   ES 599A Thesis (1-4)*  
   HL 460 Management of Chronic Diseases (3)  
   HL 461 Cardiopulmonary Physiology and Pharmacology (3)  
   HL 470 Electrocardiography (3)  
   HL 471 Exercise Assessment and Prescription (4)  
   HL 472 Health & Exercise Leadership Skills (2)  
   HN 415 Obesity and weight management (4)  
   
Capstone Requirement  
Students must also submit either two formal file papers to the School of Health and Human Performance (non-thesis option) or complete a *four-credit research thesis (ES 599A).   

Graduation Requirements

Graduates must meet the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin in addition to the following:

  • Complete the minimum number of credits for the degree 
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA
  • Successfully complete capstone thesis or file papers


Bulletin Year: 2022 - 2023 Graduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.