Prepare students for a career in Nutrition and Exercise Science: that's what we do.

The Nutrition and Exercise Science program prepares students to provide services in nutrition and exercise interventions for the promotion of lifestyle change or performance improvement. The graduate program is designed for students with a degree in an allied health field. This program is an interdisciplinary offering of the Departments of Allied Health, Kinesiology, and Sport Sciences and Human Environmental Studies. Graduates can look forward to career opportunities in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, wellness programs and sports nutrition. 

What You’ll Do  

Coursework emphasizes prevention of lifestyle diseases, exercise physiology, metabolism and research methods. The course offerings are synergistic and provide you with the view from the discipline of nutrition as well as the view of the exercise physiologist. In addition, you’ll: 

  • Understand the common issues related to the fields of nutrition and exercise science. 
  • Conduct research in the fields of nutrition and exercise science 
  • Work with professors who have a thorough knowledge of their fields and who are productive scholars. 
  • Work with caring professors interested in their student’s professional development. 

What Can You Do with a Master's Degree in Nutrition and Exercise Science?

The interaction of diet and exercise to an individual’s overall health status has never been as clear as it is at the current time. The two independent fields of study of Nutrition and Exercise Science are linked together in clinical settings and in non-clinical settings, such as in training for competitive or recreational athletes. The Nutrition and Exercise Science program prepares students to provide services in nutrition and exercise interventions for the promotion of lifestyle change or performance improvement.

Internship, Employment, and Graduate Program Opportunities of Recent Graduates

Recent graduates have been accepted into and completed Ph.D. programs in exercise physiology or nutrition at various universities. Some of these graduates are now:

  • Professors or in post-doctoral programs.
  • Several have completed the coursework and dietetic internship required to be eligible for the national board exam and have successfully passed this exam to allow them to work as Registered Dietitians
  • Others are working in various capacities in hospital settings e.g. cardiac rehabilitation.
  • Many are employed in the fitness industry as fitness directors, personal trainers, and performance enhancement specialists.
  • Several work in professional, collegiate and high school athletics as strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, and registered dietitians.
  • Some work in corporate health promotion programs as corporate health promotion mangers.
  • Finally, some are employed in community or public health promotion programs.
Students have completed internships in a variety of fields, including:
  • Fitness
  • Outpatient rehabilitation
  • Nutrition
  • Dietetics
  • Performance enhancement
  • Strength and conditioning
  • Health promotion
  • Weight loss programs

Outcomes & Careers 

  • 98% 

    Successful Outcomes Rate 

    98% of students in the Department of Allied Health, Kinesiology, and Sport Sciences report being employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation. 

     


  • $64k 

    Dietitian

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a dietitian is $64,150. 

     


     

     

     

  • $54k

    Exercise Physiologist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for an exercise physiologist is $55,020. 

     

     

     

     

     


  • $75k

    Fitness Studies Teachers, Post-secondary

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a fitness studies teacher, post-secondary is $75,430. 

     

Nutrition and Exercise MS Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

What You'll Study

The interaction of diet and exercise to an individual’s overall health status has never been as clear as it is at the current time. The two independent fields of study of Nutrition and Exercise Science are linked together in clinical settings and in non-clinical settings, such as in training for competitive or recreational athletes. The Nutrition and Exercise Science program prepares students to provide services in nutrition and exercise interventions for the promotion of lifestyle change or performance improvement.

Core Requirements:

  •   FN530 Pathophysiology: Implications for Nutrition and Exercise Science (3) 
  • FN550 Vitamin Metabolism (3) 
  • FN637 Research Design and Evaluation (3) 
  • FN/HL690 Seminar in Nutrition and Exercise Science (3) 
  • FN/HL699 Internship (3) 
  • HL601 Physiology of Exercise (3) 
  • HL603 Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology (3) 
  • HL621 Exercise in Health and Disease (3) 
  • PY571 Introductory Behavioral Statistics (3) 
  • HLxxx or FNxxx (3)* 

Choose either thesis or non-thesis option:

Thesis option:
  • HE694 Thesis (3)
  • HE695 Thesis (3)
  • 6 hours of electives
Non-Thesis option:
  • FN/HL699 Internship (3)
  • 9 Hours of Electives

*Suggested electives

  • CF518 Gerontology Practicum (3) 
  • CH531 Biochemistry I (3) 
  • FN502 Nutrition II (3) 
  • FN520 Nutrition and Aging (3) 
  • FN525 Nutrition Counseling (3) 
  • FN540 Community Nutrition (3) 
  • FN601 Sport Nutrition (3) 
  • FN605 Nutrition in the Life Cycle (3) 
  • HL510 Health Concerns of Aging (3) 
  • HL511 Applied Anatomy (3) 
  • HL531 Advanced Exercise Testing (3) 
  • HL671 Implementation and Organization of Fitness Programs (3) 
  • HL672 Health Promotion Programs (3) 
  • SM540 Legal Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity (3)  
Degree Requirements

If a student completes a thesis HE694 (3) and HE695 (3) then no internship is required. If a student selects to complete Applied Research HL691 Applied Research (3), then an internship HL/FN699 (3) and comprehensive exam GR698 is required. 

In addition to the criteria established for general admission to graduate studies, applicants must have the following: 

  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale 
  • A 3.0 average in the following college-level classes 1.) nutrition science 2.) exercise physiology with a laboratory 3.) anatomy and physiology and 4.) chemistry 

Graduate Assistantships

The graduate assistantship (GA) is designed to provide support during full-time graduate study. It’s an opportunity for the graduate students to serve in a professional role while establishing a professional relationship with faculty and administrators. In addition to a per year stipend, GAs gain valuable experience. There are two kinds of assistantships: teaching and administrative.

College of Education, Health and Human Studies

This degree is housed within the College of Education, Health and Human Studies. The college boasts programs that train students in mind, body, and soul. So, whether you want to teach, to care, to support, or to fix, we have a program to get you there.

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Getting the Job

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.

Accreditations

  • caATe Commission on Accreditation Athletic Training logo
  • Council on Accreditation: Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions logo
  • National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) logo
  • Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics logo
  • COSMA accreditation logo
  • coarc logo

Graduate Coordinators

Graduate coordinators serve as the contact for graduate programs. The coordinators are most often faculty within the college which houses the program, helping you to get questions answered and first-hand knowledge of the degree requirements and placement opportunities.

Location
Office Location
Parker Hall 216
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 7650
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701