Department of Kinesiology

Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Studies (MSESS)

Boise State University is an urban setting, taking its character from the dynamic center of business and government in which it is located. It consists of seven colleges and two schools. Total enrollment exceeds 15,000 full-time and part-time students. Represented are over 188 major fields of interest, 63 baccalaureate degree programs, 14 graduate and five associate degree programs, all accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

BSU's mission places primary emphasis upon the area of education. This ensures creating an intellectual atmosphere to develop students who are literate, knowledgeable of public affairs, motivated to become life-long learners and capable of solving problems through the discipline in which they study.
 

EXERCISE & SPORT STUDIES PHILOSOPHY
(Areas of Emphasis)

The Master of Science Degree in Exercise and Sport Studies is designed to accommodate students with diverse academic backgrounds.  The program offers three areas of emphasis and depending on the student's interests and career goals, will select to focus on one of the following areas of academic inquiry, these are:  Behavioral Emphasis, Biophysical Emphasis, and Socio-historical Emphasis.

In order to provide the student with the necessary academic breadth, she/he is required to complete a minimum of 3 credits from each area of emphasis, for 9 credits total of "core" classes. (CORE REQUIREMENT) The student is then required to select an area of emphasis and can, in conjunction with her/his advisor, select additional classes to meet the credit hour requirement for the program, i.e., 30 credits of class plus 6 thesis credits.  All students MUST complete a Thesis. 

It is assumed students are seeking a program that fosters critical thought. Therefore, graduates shall be able to apply the scientific method of problem solving to issues and questions related to one or more of the dimensions of exercise and sport. Important outcomes for learners include:

1. Acquiring a sound conceptual basis from which leadership can be exercised in the profession;
2. Demonstrating the expertise to interpret, communicate and effectively promote healthy lifestyles in occupational settings;
3. Being intelligent consumers of research with competence to apply findings to the design, administration, evaluation, and improvement of sport science-related programs; and
4. Possessing the skills needed to develop and conduct research that contributes to the growth of knowledge in the field.
 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES
 

*New requirements are now in effect* 

Students shall be admitted to the MSESS program on "REGULAR STATUS" when the following criteria are met:

1. The Graduate College has received an application for admission, a one-time matriculation fee, and official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work by March 1^st.
2. A baccalaureate degree has been granted from an accredited institution.
3. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and at least a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 credits of undergraduate work has been earned.
4. An appropriate pattern of classes providing a foundation for the graduate area of study as determined by Kinesiology Department Graduate Faculty has been completed.
5. Official scores from the verbal, quantitative, and analytical reports of the Graduate Record Examination are strongly recommended, but not required.  GRE scores will be required starting in Fall 2009.  The GRE must have been taken within seven years of application.
6. Resume.
7. Letter of application describing background, academic interests, career goals and potential faculty mentor.
8. The Coordinator of the Graduate Program recommends acceptance and approval is granted by the Graduate College.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  March 1^st

Students not meeting the minimum admission requirements shall be screened further by the Department of Kinesiology Graduate Committee and may be accepted on a "PROVISIONAL STATUS." If this occurs, all identified deficiencies must be removed prior to completing 12 hours of the Master's program and a minimum 3.0 GPA must be achieved for the first 12 hours of graduate work taken at BSU, including at least 6 credits from the Exercise and Sport Studies core.
 

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS

Any student qualifying for admission may apply for one of a limited number of Graduate Assistantships offered each year. To be considered, applications must be submitted to the Graduate Program Director by March 1. Candidates will be screened by the Graduate Faculty and judged on the following criteria:

1. Cumulative GPA for all previous academic work;
2. Previously related professional and/or academic experience;
3. Three letters of recommendation; and
4. Any other pertinent information provided by the applicant.

Graduate Assistantships include a competitive stipend & tuition/fee waivers, and are awarded for one academic year. Assistantships may be renewed for up to one additional year, pending student performance, progress toward a degree, and Department of Kinesiology needs. Typical assistantships involve teaching fitness activity classes; working in the Wellness Center; assisting in professional preparation courses; working as laboratory assistants in the Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Human Anatomy, or Motor Learning Laboratories; serving as ATEP Graduate Assistant Program Director, serving as a research assistant to graduate faculty; or a combination of any of the above. Students are expected to work 20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring semesters.
 

GRADUATE FACULTY

The strength of the Master's Degree program in Exercise and Sport Studies lies in its faculty. In addition to teaching and providing a supporting environment for the graduate program, faculty are actively involved in scholarship and research.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• CORE REQUIREMENTS (9 credit hours)
  Select one course from each of the following areas of emphasis

Behavioral Emphasis
  Kines 530 Psychology of Sport (3)
  Kines 560 Motor Learning (3)

Biophysical Emphasis
  Kines 500 Functional Anatomy (3)
  Kines 510 Physiology of Activity (3)
  Kines 520 Biomechanics (3)

Socio-historical Emphasis
  Kines 535 Sociology of Exercise and Sport (3)
  Kines 550 Philosophy of Exercise and Sport (3)
 

•  MODES OF INQUIRY (6 credit hours)  
  
    Kines 551 Research Design in Exercise and Sport (3)
  
  Select one of the following courses:
    Kines 552 Statistical Methods in Exercise and Sport (3)
    EDUC 503 Fundamentals of Educational Research (3)
    EDUC 513 Theoretical Fund. of Bilingual Education Ed. (3)
    EDUC 552 Adv. Theory of Instruc. Design in Special Ed. (3)
    HIST 500 Historians and Historical Interpretation (3)
    PSYCH 405G Adv. Statistical Methods (3)
    SOC 500 Adv. Social Research Methods (3)
    SOC 502 Qualitative Social Research Method (3)
    SOC 571 Feminist Sociological Theory (3)
  
   
• APPROVED ELECTIVES
  Once the area of emphasis is selected, the student must complete
  a minimum of 15-18 credits of approved graduate level classes.  These
  classes will be selected in an effort to support the area of emphasis 
  the student has chosen.  A listing of many of the approved classes
  available outside of the Kinesiology department is available from
  the Graduate Program Coordinator.  The Kinesiology classes that are
  approved as electives are listed below:
   
  
    KINES 500 Functional Anatomy (3)
    KINES 510 Physiology of Activity (3)
    KINES 515 Exercise Physiology Lab (3)
    KINES 520 Biomechanics (3)
    KINES 525 Mechanical Analysis of Motor Activities (3)
    KINES 530 Psychology of Exercise and Sport (3)
    KINES 540 Applied Principles of Conditioning (3)
    KINES 545 Exercise Testing & Prescription (3)
    KINES 550 Philosophy of Exercise and Sport (3)
    KINES 555 Physical Education Pedagogy (3)
    KINES 560 Motor Learning (3)
    KINES 580 Selected Topics in Applied Sport Psychology (3)
  
   
• THESIS REQUIREMENT

  All students are required to complete a Thesis (KINES 593) for 6 credits.

   

• TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED = 36
     

FOR MORE INFORMATION...

Regarding Admissions, Assistantships, and Application Forms, write to:

Dr. Shelley Lucas, Graduate Program Coordinator

Department of Kinesiology

Boise State University

1910 University Drive

Boise, ID 83725-1710

smlucas@boisestate.edu