The Master of Science: Human Performance and Fitness Program
Program Mission
This Master’s Degree will educate, equip, and empower our graduates to mentor and lead their clientele in their knowledge of preventive health practices as well as fitness strategies. Equipping the student with advanced knowledge in human anatomy and physiology, biomechanical assessment, and aerobic and anaerobic training will provide the student with a holistic understanding of an individual’s need to complete a macrocycle training program.
In addition to the Human Performance and Fitness curriculum, students complete an MBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation Certificate. The certificate will equip students to effectively lead and manage a health facility. They will be empowered to effectively develop strategies to create rapport with staff and clients, market their services and brand, and develop conflict management strategies.
MSHPF Academic Program
The Master of Science in Human Performance and Fitness program is 18 months in length. Most online courses are 6 weeks in length and require about 15 hours per week of work.
MSHPF Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the MSHPF program should be able to:
1. Apply the knowledge gained in the human performance and fitness core curriculum of kinesiology, biomechanics, aerobic/anaerobic conditioning, fitness performance and assessment, and nutrition. [EXS 6010, EXS 6020, EXS 6030, EXS 6100, EXS 6120 and EXS 6130]
2. Demonstrate capacity to complete a holistic assessment of an individual’s health status as it pertains to arthrokinematics motion, musculoskeletal strength, neuromuscular balance, agility, and biomechanical completion of activities. [EXS 6030, EXS 6100, and EXS 6120]
3. Plan, implement, and evaluate effectively an individualized anaerobic and aerobic training program using proficiency benchmarks. [EXS 6100, EXS 6110, EXS 6210
and EXS 6230]
4. Implement health and fitness assessment, intervention, and fitness programming appropriate for diverse populations. [EXS 6120, EXS 6130, EXS 6210 and
EXS 6230]
5. Create an entrepreneurial mindset that will help the student in developing a business plan with emphasis on the required tools/resources in owning and/or managing of a fitness-related business. [BUS 6210, BUS 6220, and BUS 6230]
Admissions Requirements
Admission into the MS in Human Performance and Fitness program is based on a careful appraisal of the applicant's academic record, performance, and work experience, if any.
To be considered for admission, applicants must:
- Submit an online application
- Have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75.
- Have prior credit of a college English composition course with a grade of C or higher, reflected on an official transcript or equivalent.
- Have prior credit (Grade C- or higher as reflected on an official transcript or equivalency) in 12 or more semester credit hours in the following categories:
- Biological Sciences (examples: General Biology I & II, Anatomy and Physiology I & II, or others)
- Physical Sciences (examples: Physiology of Exercise, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, or other sports medicine courses)
- Additional upper division science courses
Applicants must submit one official transcript from all colleges/universities attended (undergraduate and graduate work). These official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to the Graduate and Adult Education Admissions Office, Trevecca Nazarene University, 333 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37210. All hours from accredited institutions will be considered in calculating the cumulative GPA.
For those who do not have a four-year degree that was completed within the United States, a 40-minute writing assessment at Trevecca is required as a part of the admissions process.
Conditional Admission
Students who do not meet the admissions requirements stated above may be granted conditional admission. Students not meeting the minimum admissions requirements may request conditional admission from the Graduate School Exercise Science Program Coordinator. To be admitted on a conditional status the applicant will need to complete an interview with the program coordinator (Zoom or in-person) and submit a 500-word essay on their personal philosophy of human performance and fitness. After the completion of eight credit hours, the program coordinator will review and decide if a student admitted under the Conditional Admission policy will continue in the program. The program coordinator will have a virtual meeting with the student to discuss the rationale behind the final decision.
If the admissions requirements are not fully met, the Graduate School Exercise Science Program Coordinator will review the applicant’s file and may grant admittance to the program on a conditional status. A student receiving conditional admission must have at least a GPA of 3.0 at the completion of eight credit hours in the program. If this condition is met, the student will be granted full standing admission in the program and will be subject to the standard program policies. If the condition is not met, the student is placed on academic suspension. After a three-month waiting period, the student may petition to return to the program. The student must submit a written request to the Graduate Program Admissions Committee for consideration of whether the student should be allowed to continue under conditional status or be dismissed from the program. If the committee makes such determination to allow further work under conditional status, then the student must have a 3.0 average after 18 hours in the program. If the student has less than a 3.0 after 18 hours in the program, the student is again placed on academic suspension. Students interested in being reinstated should consult the academic suspension policy.
Grading System
Trevecca Nazarene University's grading system, based on class work and examinations, is as follows:
| Description |
Grade |
Quality Points |
| Exceptional |
A |
4.0 |
| |
A- |
3.7 |
| Superior |
B+ |
3.3 |
| |
B |
3.0 |
| |
B- |
2.7 |
| Average |
C+ |
2.3 |
| *Passing |
C |
2.0 |
| |
C- |
1.7 |
| |
D+ |
1.3 |
| |
D |
1.0 |
| |
D- |
0.7 |
| |
F |
0.0 |
*Note: A grade lower than a C in a course must be repeated.
| Incomplete |
"I" |
Given for sickness or emergency reasons near end of a course. The incomplete must be approved by the teacher and the program director. The "I" must be removed within six weeks or the grade will be based on points earned for completed work. |
| Withdrawal |
"W" |
Granted to a student who officially withdraws from a class before the end of day 21 for most courses or day 35 for 12-week courses. The grade of "W" may be assigned by the |
Human Performance and Fitness Program
Human Performance and Fitness Courses — 36 hours
| EXS 6000 | Introduction to Human Performance and Fitness | 2 |
| EXS 6010 | Applied Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| EXS 6020 | Applied Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| EXS 6030 | Biomechanics & Biomechanical Screening | 3 |
| EXS 6100 | Fundamentals of Aerobic and Anaerobic Program Development | 3 |
| EXS 6110 | Advanced Aerobic and Strength Progressions | 3 |
| EXS 6120 | Fitness Assessment and Training Progression for Special Populations | 3 |
| EXS 6130 | Fitness and Nutrition | 3 |
| EXS 6210 | Human Performance and Fitness Capstone | 3 |
| EXS 6230 | Field Experience | 1 |
| BUS 6210 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3 |
| BUS 6220 | New Venture Creation | 3 |
| BUS 6230 | Small Business Management | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 36