Departmental Overview

The department offers an online Master of Arts degree in Exercise Science with areas of concentration in elementary/middle school physical education, fitness and lifetime wellness, adapted physical education, and sport management. Additionally, candidates may choose to take 20 directed hours in conjunction with the elementary/middle school concentration in pursuit of a Tennessee teaching license in k-12 physical education and health. The elementary/middle school concentration and the teacher licensure program are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Field experience, internships and practicum work can be performed at the student's location and monitored through the online platform. Candidates complete comprehensive exams online through the required Tk20 student account, eliminating the need for any Master of Arts student to ever have to come to campus.

Departmental Admission Requirements for Online Master of Arts

Applicants are expected to have earned a BS degree from an approved program. There are no restrictions on undergraduate programs of study. Admission is decided based on a multi-parameter criterion that can include the following and will be evaluated by the graduate faculty in the department:

1. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 for provisional admission and a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA for full standing;

2. Minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who can address scholarly aptitude;

3. All undergraduate transcripts;

4. Candidate provide a writing sample from an undergraduate 4000 level class or complete a writing prompt (defined and provided by the department);

5. Letter of Intent outlining the purpose and proposed outcomes of being in the program;

6. Participation in interview with departmental faculty if required.

Based on the level of satisfaction of the above criteria, the department will either recommend admission to full standing, provisional standing, or deny admission. Standing status may be changed to Full standing after the student satisfies requirements specified by the department at the time of admission or upon departmental review.

BA/MA Fast Track Program

The Fast Track program is designed to enable TTU College of Education undergraduates to accumulate up to six (6) credit hours of graduate coursework, to satisfy both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements, while still pursuing their undergraduate degree. The coursework would enable an efficient graduate program transition with the potential for accelerated completion. The courses must be taken at Tennessee Tech University.

The minimum admissions requirements for participating in the Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Wellness program Fast Track Program are:

• Enrolled in Tennessee Tech as an undergraduate Exercise Science major with at least 90 hours of completed courses within their program of study,

• Overall GPA of 3.25 or better,

• Recommendation from the undergraduate advisor, and

• Approval by departmental coordinator of graduate studies. Fast Track program participants should consult with the undergraduate and graduate advisors regarding enrollment in the appropriate courses and must earn a minimum grade of "B" in the identified courses to apply them to their MA program of study.

Courses to be included in the Fast Track program include:

Dual listed courses:

EXPW 4520/5520 - Adapted Physical Education and Sport

EXPW 4730/5730 - Assessment in Exercise Science

EXPW 4440/5440 - Exercise Physiology

EXPW 4042/5042 - Health Promotion

(Courses listed at the 5000 level will include additional graduate coursework and a culminating project in each course.)

Graduate courses:

EXPW 6140 - Assessment and Strategies for Adapted Physical Education

EXPW 6240 - Assessment in Sport, Physical Education and Wellness EXPW 6440 - Physiology of Exercise

EXPW 6042 - Health Promotions

In addition to requirements for admission to the Fast Track BS/MA program, all requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies must also be met upon graduation. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the graduate program.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Exercise Science is a 30-33 credit hour degree program. Teacher Licensure is available and requires an additional 20 hours to obtain such licensure. Degree requirements are summarized as follows:

Degree Requirement

• Core Required Courses: 6 hours

• Research Project Course Requirement: 9 hours

• Concentration Required Courses: 15-18 hours

• Total Degree Requirement: 30-33 hours

At least 70% of courses taken must be at the 6000 level.