Human Performance MS
37 credit hours
The graduate curriculum for the human performance program provides a strong scientific basis for students seeking advanced degrees in the exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, and allied health professions as well as those seeking practical skills for employment in the health and fitness profession. The program requires completion of a 25 credit hour core curriculum. Students then choose between a thesis or non-thesis option to complete the remaining 12 credit hours. The non-thesis option also requires students to pass written comprehensive exams in the last semester.
Students will have the unique opportunity to use state-of the art equipment and protocols from the High Intensity Training (HIT) Center of Lindenwood University. The HIT Center is the University’s exercise physiology laboratory inside a 12,000 square foot conditioning facility used for Lindenwood University athletic teams. This is the only such facility located on a university campus in the United States.
The Master of Science in Human Performance is consistent with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) professional standards. This program prepares students for certifications in personal training, as well as strength and conditioning, and it gives students the optimal experience in human performance. Graduates of this program are eligible for the certifications listed below.
- ACSM
- Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
- Health Fitness Specialist (HFS)
- Clinical Exercise Specialist (CES)
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
- Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT)
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Aerobic Fitness Association of American (AFAA)
Program Admission
Current CPR card, strength training, nutrition, health and wellness, psychology, basic statistics, Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs*, Exercise Physiology and Lab*, and Exercise Testing and Prescription*. An interview and a written exam may be required to assess writing skills.
*Taken within 5 years.
Requirements
Core Curriculum
| HP 52100 | Exercise & Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| HP 52500 | Performance Psychology | 3 |
| HP 57100 | Bioenergetics of Human Movement | 3 |
| HP 57500 | Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Pathology and Prescription | 3 |
| HP 58000 | Chronic Disease Pathology and Prescription | 3 |
| HP 54000 | Research Methods | 3 |
| HP 54200 | Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| HP 53500 | Advanced Exercise Testing and Prescription | 4 |
Note: Courses earn three credit hours except HP 53500 which earns four credit hours.
Thesis Option:
Plus two courses from the elective course list below.
Non-thesis Option:
Three credit hours from the following:
Plus three courses from the elective course list below.
Electives
| HP 51000 | Advanced Strength Training | 3 |
| HP 51100 | Human Movement Impairments and Corrective Exercise Strategies | 3 |
| HP 53000 | Orthopedic Injury Pathology and Exercise | 3 |
| HP 53600 | Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Physical Education | 4 |
| HP 53700 | Community Health | 3 |
| HP 54100 | Internships | 3-6 |
| HP 54300 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| HP 54400 | Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| HP 54500 | Recreation Organization and Administration | 3 |
| HP 54600 | Program Planning and Leadership | 3 |
Note: Courses earn three credit hours unless otherwise indicated.
Early Access
Students with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher may take up to seven semester hours at the graduate level during the last 12 credits of their undergraduate degree program. These hours will count toward the Master of Science in Human Performance but not toward the bachelor’s degree. The early access option requires that the student be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours of undergraduate classes while he or she is taking human performance courses under this option. Students in the early access program must maintain a 3.0 in all master’s credits.