MS Degree Program

Program objectives are: (1) to recognize the diverse nature of subject matter embodied in the respective program disciplines; (2) to understand the research findings and theoretical constructs undergirding the corresponding disciplines within the health studies umbrella, including the development of specialized skills needed for systematic inquiry; (3) to understand the critical role of diversity in delivering inclusive health studies services; (4) to develop effective leadership skills; and (5) to understand and embrace ethical standards of the respective disciplines.

Admission Requirements and Program Prerequisites

1. Prospective students must apply through the Graduate School creating a log in to fill out the application and submit transcripts. Additionally, as part of the application to the Graduate School, an official report of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores must be submitted except:
   • Health Promotion (HPRO): An applicant seeking admission to the HPRO concentration is not required to submit GRE scores. However, official GRE or other standardized test scores may be requested or submitted to support an application.
   • Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE): An applicant seeking admission to the PETE concentration may opt to submit official scores of the PRAXIS II exams in lieu of the GRE.
2. An applicant must upload the following in WebAdmit:
   • Two letters of recommendation,
   • A 300-500 word statement of goals including identification of the intended area of concentration. (Contact the college’s academic services coordinator for application forms. College of Health Sciences application forms are also available on-line at https://www.memphis.edu/healthsciences/graduate/graduateadmissions.php.
3. Although exceptions may be considered, an applicant is normally expected to have graduated with a minimum baccalaureate GPA of 2.75.
4. Completion of an appropriate undergraduate major and a strong background in discipline-specific courses:
   • Exercise, Sport and Movement Sciences: anatomy and physiology, health sciences, exercise physiology, structural kinesiology, biomechanics, and motor learning/control
   • Health Promotion: science-oriented courses such as, but not limited to, nutrition, biology, biochemistry, health sciences, chemistry, and psychology
   • Physical Education Teacher Education: structural kinesiology, anatomy and physiology, biology, exercise physiology, health sciences, motor learning/control, nutrition, and sport psychology
5. Completion of undergraduate work deemed by the concentration committee as prerequisite to graduate courses.
6. Student admissions to the respective programs within the Health Studies (HS) major are differentially restricted to enable Graduate Faculty within each concentration to closely mentor their students. To ensure maximum consideration for admission into a specific CHS concentration, the following dates are provided: May 1 for summer and fall and November 1 for the spring semester. The admission committee may request a personal interview. Multiple criteria will be used when considering applicant admission, including, but not limited to, undergraduate and graduate grade point average, GRE/PRAXIS II scores, personal goals statement, relevant employment history, and letters of recommendation.

Program Requirements

A minimum of 30 hours is required for the major although respective concentrations may require additional credit hours.

Concentration requirements:

Guided electives selected with approval of the advisor:

Health Promotion (no electives if Applied Project completed)

Culminating Experience (3-6 hours)

(Consult Graduate School Calendar for submission deadlines):

Other Requirements

1. Successful completion of a comprehensive examination (successful defense of the Research Laboratory Residency, Applied Project, or Thesis may serve this purpose; otherwise, a written examination is required).
2. Consult the Graduation Information webpage on the Graduate School website for information pertaining to the submission of comprehensive exam results and when to “Apply to Graduate” in the MyMemphis Portal.

Program Retention Policy

All MS degree students are regularly monitored for completion of any entry-level deficiencies by graduate faculty.

Program retention committees, comprised of selected graduate faculty within the corresponding programs of study, monitor the academic progress of all MS degree candidates in the respective programs. Each committee determines whether the student is making sufficient progress and, in case of deficiencies, may recommend additional work or the dismissal of the student from the program. For any student recommended for dismissal, an appeals process is available.