M.S. in Exercise & Nutrition Sciences
The Department of Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology offers a Master of Science degree in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences with two options: Exercise Physiology and Nutrition or Sport and Coaching Sciences. Both options allow students to focus on understanding the determinants of physical activity and energy expenditure, adaptations to exercise that impact human work performance and disease risk, and exercise metabolism and nutrition. Entering graduate students will have completed a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, exercise science, nutrition, health enhancement/physical education, athletic training pre-physical therapy, or a closely related field with appropriate background course work and/or appropriate practical experience. Students in both options complete a minimum of 30 credits and can expect to analyze, construct and present scientific research. To view more requirements and guidelines, visit the Graduate School’s page.
Students in the Exercise Physiology and Nutrition option are mentored through a thesis while students in the Sport and Coaching Sciences option complete a professional paper or project on a range of topics that span exercise and nutrition sciences. Depending on the student's goals, undergraduate degree, and course work, additional courses may be added or deleted to supplement the curriculum.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Exercise physiology and nutrition option: To develop written communication and analytical skills associated with the ability to analyze, construct and defend scientific research.
- Exercise physiology and nutrition option: To develop oral communication and analytical skills associated with the ability to analyze, construct and defend scientific research.
- Exercise physiology and nutrition option: To explain and evaluate human movement with reference to factors associated with musculoskeletal, biomechanical, and motor control.
- Exercise physiology and nutrition option: To explain and evaluate acute and chronic adaptations to human movement with reference to factors associated with the biomechanical, motor control, and physiological systems.
- Exercise physiology and nutrition option: To discover and develop ways in which to integrate knowledge of human movement for self-well being, community engagement, and careers associated with health and human performance.
- Sport and coaching sciences option: Demonstrate skills associated with critically reviewing, writing and presenting professional and scientific research.
- Sport and coaching sciences option: Analyze, critique and defend scientific research.
- Sport and coaching sciences option: Apply, construct, and interpret research method and data analysis strategies.
- Sport and coaching sciences option: Apply psychological principles and helping skills to sport and coaching.
Exercise Physiology and Nutrition Option
The exercise physiology and nutrition option allows students to focus on understanding the determinants of physical activity and energy expenditure, adaptations to exercise that impact human work performance and disease risk, and exercise metabolism and nutrition, biomechanics, and motor control. A graduate student may earn a verification statement by completing required classes in the MSU Montana Dietetic Internship and Graduate program. The verification statement is needed in order to apply to an accredited dietetic internship.
Sport and Coaching Sciences Option
The Sport and Coaching Sciences option is a graduate program designed to develop highly skilled, reflective, and evidence-informed coaches and sport professionals. The program integrates theory, research, and applied practice to prepare graduates for leadership roles across school, community, and professional sport environments. Students explore key areas including coaching pedagogy, athlete development, sport psychology, and leadership. A strong emphasis is placed on contemporary coaching practices, athlete wellbeing, and professional practice. Through applied learning, research projects, and real-world case studies, students develop the ability to design, implement, and evaluate coaching programs that are contextually relevant, and athlete centered. The program also fosters critical thinking, professional communication, and lifelong learning skills essential for success in the sport and coaching industry. Graduates of the Sport and Coaching Sciences option are well prepared for careers as high-performance or development coaches, coach educators, and sport program managers.
Admissions
Admission decisions are based on (but not limited to) undergraduate preparation, alignment with faculty, relevant professional experience, and strength of letters of recommendation. Our Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Master's program is mentor based. View our faculty directory to learn more about the research being conducted; potential applicants must reach out to those they may be interested in working with before submitting an application to The Graduate School. For more information about the Master of Science in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences program including deadlines and requirements, visit the Department of Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology program page.
Required Courses for Exercise Physiology and Nutrition
| HHD 501 | Research Methods in HHD I | 3 |
| Choose three additional required courses | 9 | |
| Exercise Performance and Nutrition | ||
| Neuromechanics of Human Movement | ||
| Advanced Motor Control | ||
| Graduate Exercise Physiology | ||
| Exercise Metabolism and Health | ||
| Choose one statistics course | 3 | |
| Educational Statistics I | ||
| Methods of Data Analysis I | ||
| Choose either professional paper (6 cr. required) or thesis (10 cr. required) | 6-10 | |
| Professional Paper and Project | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Electives | 6-9 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Required Courses for Sport and Coaching Sciences
| Fall | ||
| EDCI 501 | Educational Statistics I | 3 |
| HHD 501 | Research Methods in HHD I | 3 |
| HTH 455 | The Ethic of Care | 3 |
| or KIN 440R | Sport Psychology | |
| Spring | ||
| HEE 506 | Exercise and Chronic Disease | 3 |
| HHD 512 | Research Methods in HHD II | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| COA 405 | Advanced Concepts in Coaching | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| KIN 575 | Professional Paper and Project take 3-6 credits of KIN 575; take 10 credits of KIN 590 | 3-10 |
| or KIN 590 | Master's Thesis | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |