Health and Sport Science, M.S. *

OSRHE Program Code: 142
CIP Code:  310501
Major Code: 5501
Option Codes:

• 5502 - Health Education
• 5503 - Sport Administration/Management

Purpose

The Master of Health and Sport Science offers two emphases: Health Education and Sports Administration/Management. The program enables individuals to pursue their diverse interests in the field while addressing the competencies essential to the professional development of health educators, sport leaders, and sport administrator. Coursework and fieldwork focus on developing the knowledge, understanding, competencies, and experiences required of professionals in the area of health education and sport administration/management. Note: This degree is not structured for the purpose of initial teacher certification.

Student Learning Outcomes - Health and Sport Science Core

1. Evaluate and synthesize the scholarly literature in the area of Health and Sport Science.
2. Communicate advanced knowledge and ideas in the area of Health and Sport Science through well-organized writing and speech.
3. Analyze and interpret data in the area of Health and Sport Science.
4. Conduct independent research or applied research project appropriate to Health and Sport Science.

Health Education Option: The goal of Health Education option is to educate professionals who help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Health education specialists promote health and wellness and are trained to collect and analyze data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. Students in the Health Education option utilize theoretical models of attitude and behavioral change in assessing educational needs, designing educational interventions, evaluating the effectiveness of program efforts, and advocating for creative and competent health education opportunities. These skills prepare graduates for various employment positions in local, state and national government, K-12 schools and community colleges, health care facilities, worksite wellness programs, and nonprofit organizations. Students are encouraged to pursue certification: Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

1. Assess needs, assets and capacity for health education.
2. Plan health education and promotion activities.
3. Implement health education and promotion programs.
4. Conduct program evaluation and research in health education.
5. Serve as health education resource person.
6. Administer and manage health education.
7. Communicate and advocate for health and health education.

Sport Administration/Management Option: The Sport Administration/Management option is designed to serve graduate students interested in professional management or administrative opportunities in professional sports, interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics administration, sports facilities, sports media, and sports marketing and management agencies. The goal of this option is to balance theory and practice in order to best prepare each graduate for employment in the field of sport administration and management. Future employment for Sports Administration/Management graduates would consider employment within intercollegiate athletics (including athletic departments, conferences, and national associations), professional sport organizations (teams and leagues), sport facilities, sports tours, corporate sports organizations (sports agencies), and the sports media.

1. Demonstrate the ability to understand managerial and leadership competencies utilized in professional sport organizations and institutional sport organizations.
2. Apply a fundamental knowledge and practical understanding of sport marketing, communication, and event management principles.
3. Incorporate an understanding of ethical and legal aspects of sport including state/federal legislation, liability, risk management, contracts, and collective bargaining.
4. Incorporate an understanding of the finance of sport organizations including key elements of budgeting, accounting, fund raising, and revenue development.
5. Develop competency in the management of sport facilities including fundamental concepts of planning, design, and construction.

Admission, Retention, and Graduation

Admission. Beyond admission requirements for the Graduate College, admission to the M.S. Health and Sport Science program requires:

1. A score at or above the 30th percentile of college graduates nationally on the MAT or the equivalent on the verbal and quantitative ability portion of the GRE is required. Students who score below the minimum exam requirement must maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA in the first 12 hours of graduate coursework stipulated on the degree plan. If the 3.5 GPA is not met, additional courses approved by the advisor will be required. Financial aid may not extend to these courses. Official results for Millers Analogy Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be received by the Graduate College before the end of the first semester of graduate course work.

Advisement. The Graduate College assigns students an advisor upon admission to graduate studies. It is the candidate’s responsibility to make an appointment with the advisor prior to enrollment to discuss policies and procedures relevant to the degree program. Conferring with the student, the advisor develops the plan of study, assists in the selection of classes, and counsels the student. The Statement of Understanding is reviewed with and explained to the student when the degree plan is made and must be signed by the student and the advisor. It is sent with the signed copies of the degree plan to the Graduate College. After approval by the Dean, the distribution is made by the Graduate College. Any changes made in the student’s plan of study require prior written approval of the advisor and the Dean of the Graduate College.

Candidacy. Students are advised to meet candidacy requirements within the first 16 semester hours of their program. In any event, 16 semester hours toward the Master of Science degrees must be completed after being admitted to candidacy. Students are eligible to be admitted to candidacy if they have:

1. Completed all requirements for admission to the Graduate College.
2. Been formally admitted to the Masters of Science in Health and Sport Science.
3. Completed a minimum of 12 semester hours, or a maximum of 18 hours of the degree as described by the plan of study.
4. Maintained a grade point of 3.0 in all graduate coursework taken prior to candidacy.
5. Filed a plan of study (degree plan) approved by the advisor and the Dean of the Graduate College.
6. Filed a Statement of Understanding, signed by the student and advisor, with the Graduate College.

Retention and Graduation. The candidate for the Master of Science in Health and Sport Science degree must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Continue to meet the Graduate College’s Retention Standards to be retained in the program. See the Academic Information page for more information.
2. Monitor degree progress using the degree audit system in the goNSU portal.
3. Meet Graduate College policies detailed in Academic Information and Master’s Degree Requirements regarding GPA, minimum grades, coursework age, residency and institutional / state regulations governing degree conferral.
4. Complete a capstone experience. A capstone experience is an academic activity that encourages the use of skills learned and knowledge gained in one or more areas of field of study. It is a culminating experience that goes beyond the coursework required for the graduation and should be completed near the end of the student’s program. Capstone experiences for the Master of Science in Health and Sport Science program will have a significant writing component