Master of Science in Human Performance and Wellness
The purpose of the Master of Science (M.S.) in Human Performance and Wellness is to prepare qualified students for careers and/or advanced professional study in a variety of exercise-related, sport, and wellness fields. The degree provides a comprehensive selection of options for the practicing professional, the administrator, or the educator seeking advanced study in the Human Performance and Wellness. Degree preparation will include research-based theory and practical applications with an emphasis on ethical and moral decision-making for leaders. Academic preparation focuses primarily on understanding movement, health and fitness, and performance enhancement, and integrating this knowledge in various areas of concentration.
The M.S. in Human Performance and Wellness provides the student with these options:
- Choose the Human Performance and Wellness degree
OR
- Choose a Human Performance and Wellness Degree with a specialization in Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology
OR
- Choose a Human Performance and Wellness Movement Sciences Degree with a specialization in Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology/Master of Business Administration (MBA) dual program
Admission criteria, as well as academic and graduation requirements, can be found under the SES Graduate Program Requirements and Policies and under the respective areas of study.
Human Performance and Wellness Program Goals
Upon successful completion of the program leading to the Master of Science degree in Human Performance and Wellness, students will demonstrate:
Research Skills—Students will critically examine research methods and designs used in a variety of Human Performance and Wellness settings, and develop research techniques, including the ability to define research problems, write hypotheses, review and interpret literature, apply research designs, organize, analyze, and present data.
Ethical Decision Making Skills—Students will demonstrate knowledge of and collectively appraise ethical issues in human performance and wellness as they affect individuals, communities, society, and professions. Students will also demonstrate the ability to apply an ethical framework to make personal and professional decisions.
Professionalism—Students will demonstrate and integrate the roles of a Human Performance and Wellness professional while assuming personal responsibility for continuing professional competence and development.
Practical/Clinical Skills—Students will demonstrate the competencies that meet the standards for the profession in the application of human performance and wellness principles.
Communication Skills—Students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills, including scholarly writing and academic presentations.
Theoretical Knowledge—Students will demonstrate knowledge of, evaluate, and utilize appropriate discipline-related theory within an advanced human performance and wellness context.
SES Graduate Program Requirements and Policies
The general policies listed below apply to all graduate programs offered within the Sport & Exercise Sciences (SES) Programs. Additional requirements specific to the major may be found under the respective graduate program description in the SES Programs listing. Graduate students may attend full-time or part-time. A full-time graduate course load is nine (9) credit hours per semester or the completion of eighteen (18) credit hours in a calendar year.
Graduate Admissions Criteria
- Acceptance by the University’s Office of Graduate Admissions*;
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized institution, as verified by two (2) official transcripts;
- Sufficient undergraduate preparation or life experience, as determined by the Program Director;
- Satisfaction of additional entrance requirements or minimal test scores on national examinations, if specified for particular degree programs;
- Two (2) letters of recommendation (at least one from an academic source);
- Resume; and
- A short essay describing personal career goals and how a graduate degree from Barry will help fulfill these goals.
*Non-degree seeking or special status, as determined by the Office of Graduate Admissions, requires SES Program Director approval and does not guarantee admission to a degree program. Enrollment is limited to six (6) to nine (9) graduate credits.
Non-degree acceptance will only be changed to regular degree-seeking status upon review and official notification of full acceptance from the Director SES Programs. Grades of ‘B’ or better are required in all prior graduate coursework. Submission of all documentation required by the Office of Graduate Admissions and/or the respective degree program is also necessary. The student will also receive notification in writing from the Director of SES Programs should the decision be dismissal from the program or extension of current status beyond the nine (9) credit hours for a specified period and under certain conditions.
Readmission
Any student who interrupts enrollment in graduate coursework at Barry University for one calendar year or more must apply in writing to the Office of Graduate Admissions for re-admittance into the program. Approval by the SES Program Director is also required.
Transfer Credits
A maximum of six (6) hours of acceptable credits may be transferred from another accredited /internationally listed college or university toward a graduate degree from Barry University. This is subject to approval by the SES Program Director. Consideration will only be given to graduate level coursework completed within the five (5) year period immediately preceding initial enrollment at Barry. This coursework must be relevant to the discipline and either an A or B grade must have been earned. In addition, remaining credits required for graduation must be earned within seven years of initial enrollment in graduate coursework at Barry University. Credits used to earn a degree at another institution will not be accepted.
Time Limitation/Continuous Registration/Financial Aid
A maximum of seven (7) years is allowed for completing all degree requirements. Candidates for graduate degrees must be continuously enrolled during the regular academic year in a minimum of 1 credit per term. SES 699 satisfies this requirement if not enrolled in regular coursework applicable towards the degree. A candidate must be enrolled in at least 1 graduate credit hour during the term of expected graduation. Students receiving loans must enroll in four credits each term to qualify for loan funding.
Advising
Students pursuing graduate courses will be assigned an advisor by the SES Program Director.
Project/Thesis
All students pursuing M.S. In Human Performance and Wellness are required to complete either a thesis or an internship. Students in the M.S. in Human Performance and Wellness—Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology specialization select either the “research” option, which requires the submission of a written thesis at six (6) credit hours, the “applied” option, which involves completion of six (6) credit hours of practicum coursework; or the “dual” option which encompasses both the research and applied options.
Students selecting the thesis option are required to take an additional quantitative or qualitative research course, SES 624 (Advanced Statistics in Sport and Exercise Science) or SES 630 (Qualitative Research in SES) for three (3) credit hours, which replaces the elective requirement (i.e., 3 credits) for thesis option students. The thesis option is strongly recommended in order to refine research skills for those seeking further graduate study.
Comprehensive Examinations
All students choosing the internship option are expected to pass a comprehensive oral and/or written examination prior to being approved for the internship. Students choosing the thesis option are not required to take a comprehensive examination.
Academic and Graduation Requirements
All students must maintain a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 and are limited to a maximum of 6 credit hours of C grades (Grades below C are unacceptable for continued enrollment.) Any student who fails to meet these requirements is subject to SES Program Director review and academic jeopardy, including dismissal from the program. Graduation requires a minimum 3.0 GPA.
A student may pursue elective coursework to complement a specialization or interests with prior approval from one’s Graduate Advisor.
The SES faculty reserves the right to accept, retain, and recommend for graduation only those graduate students who, in addition to satisfying stipulated academic requirements, meet personal and professional standards established by national governing bodies. Admission to graduate programs in the Programs in SES does not guarantee progression to the internship, thesis, certification, or graduation.
M.S. in Human Performance and Wellness
This program builds on a foundation of knowledge in exercise physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology, and wellness. It will provide the tools and skills needed to analyze performance and make recommendations for improvement in wellness, fitness, strength and conditioning, and injury prevention. The Human Performance and Wellness degree requires a total of 36 credits of coursework. The Human Performance program requires 21 credits in the core and 6-9 credits in the thesis or internship tracks. The remaining 6-9 credit hours are electives, which can be chosen from among any of the graduate level courses offered within SES OR, which can include up to 3 credit hours chosen from among any other graduate level courses offered within Barry University. The choice of SES 689/690 Thesis I and II or SES 679 Internship requires prior approval of an intended program of study by one’s Graduate Advisor.
Admission Requirements
General admission requirements are to be found under School of SES Graduate Program Requirements and Policies. A personal interview arranged with the SES Program Director may be required prior to admission or obtaining “degree seeking” status. In addition, a student seeking admission to the Human Performance and Wellness program must have earned:
- an acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and
- an “above average” undergraduate GPA.
- undergraduate coursework in human anatomy, exercise physiology, and kinesiology or biomechanics.
Note:
The SES Program Director reserves the right to establish a minimum undergraduate GPA as well as a minimum GRE score for applicants. GRE applications are available from Barry’s Office of Graduate Admissions.
Master of Science (36 credits)
Core Courses (21 credits)
Note: Upon special request of the SES Program Director, consideration may be given for substituting an approved elective for SES-621 when evidence can be if the student has satisfactorily completed a Sports Ethics course at Barry University.
Thesis/Internship Track (6-9 credits)
Choose one of the following options:
Thesis Option (9 credits)
Internship Options (6 credits)
Electives (6-9 credits)
Electives for Thesis Option (6 credits)
Choose from the list below
Electives for Internship Option (9 credits)
Choose from the list below
Human Performance and Wellness Electives