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 login to fill out the application and submit transcripts. Submission of an official report of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or PRAXIS II exam (for Physical Education Teacher Education only) scores is optional.
2. An applicant must upload the following in Slate:
   • Two letters of recommendation,
   • A 300-500 word statement of goals including identification of the intended area of concentration.
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 Nutrition: anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, exercise physiology, health sciences, structural kinesiology, and nutrition
   • Exercise, Sport and Movement Sciences: anatomy and physiology, health sciences, exercise physiology, structural kinesiology, biomechanics, and motor learning/control
   • Lifestyle Medicine: nutrition, biology, exercise physiology, health sciences, structural kinesiology, 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 coursework deemed by the concentration committee as a prerequisite to graduate courses.

Student admissions to the respective master’s 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 HS master’s 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, personal goals statement, relevant employment history, and letters of recommendation. Submission of scores for standardized tests such as the GRE and PRAXIS II are not required.

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:

Lifestyle Medicine (no electives if Applied Project completed)

• HPRO 7790 - Program Management in HPRO** Credit Hours: (3)
• NUTR 7000 - Sport Nutrition ** Credit Hours: (3)
• NUTR 7001 - Nutraceuticals and Dietary Sup ** Credit Hours: (3)
• NUTR 7002 - Exer & Nutrition Immunology ** Credit Hours: (3)
• NUTR 7182 - Environmental Nutrition ** Credit Hours: (3)
• NUTR 7183 - Complementary NUTR ** Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7128 - Envrnmnt Policy/DecisionMaking ** Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7130 - Social Determinants of Health ** Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7132 - Health Program Evaluation ** Credit Hours: (3)

Culminating Experience (3-6 hours)

For graduation from the Exercise, Sport and Movement Sciences concentration, ESMS 7878 (Master’s Comprehensive Exam) must be successfully completed. The exam may be taken no sooner than the semester during which the final credit hours of the program are being completed. Students in Exercise Nutrition, Lifestyle Medicine, and Physical Education Teacher Education do not complete a comprehensive exam.

Other Requirements

1. If attempted, a successful oral defense of the Research Laboratory Residency, Applied Project, or These is required to succesfully complete those research activities.
2. Consult the Graduation Information webpage on the Graduate School website for information pertaining 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.