Program Overview

Master's in Nutrition and Exercise Science

The Nutrition and Exercise Science master's program prepares students to provide services in nutrition and exercise interventions for the promotion of lifestyle change or performance improvement. This program is an interdisciplinary offering of the Departments of Allied Health, Kinesiology, and Sport Sciences and Human Environmental Studies.

Degree Type and Program Type

• Degree Type: Master's Degree
• Program Type: Graduate

Location and College

• Location: Main Campus - Cape
• College: Education, Health & Human Studies
• Department: Allied Health, Kinesiology & Sport Sciences

Program Overview

The nutrition and exercise science master's program coursework emphasizes the prevention of lifestyle diseases, exercise physiology, metabolism, and research methods. The course offerings are synergistic and provide a comprehensive view from both the disciplines of nutrition and exercise science.

Key Aspects of the Program

• Understand 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 thorough knowledge of their fields and are productive scholars.
• Work with caring professors interested in students' professional development.

Career Opportunities

The interaction of diet and exercise with 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.

Career Paths

• Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
• Wellness programs
• Sports nutrition
• Dietitian
• Exercise Physiologist
• Fitness Studies Teachers

Internship, Employment, and Graduate Opportunities

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 managers.
• Finally, some are employed in community or public health promotion programs.

Curriculum

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)

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)
• FN535 International Nutrition (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)

Admission Requirements

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

• 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
  4. Chemistry

Graduate Assistantships

The graduate assistantship (GA) is designed to provide support during full-time graduate study. It's an opportunity for graduate students to serve in a professional role while establishing a professional relationship with faculty and administrators.

Career Services

SEMO's Career Services office is here to help with the next step. Our boldly supportive faculty will provide the expertise and support needed, so students are landing their dream job in no time.

Accreditations

The program is accredited by the appropriate accrediting agencies.

Additional Resources

• Graduate Studies
• Office of Admissions
• Student Financial Services
• College of Education, Health and Human Studies
• Department of Allied Health, Kinesiology, and Sport Sciences
• Research
• Kent Library

Faculty

• Monica Kearney, Ph.D., CSCS
  • Associate Professor - Exercise Science
  • Location: Parker 215E

Department Contact

• Allied Health, Kinesiology, & Sport Sciences
  • Contact Us
  • Phone:
  • Email:
  • Location: Parker Hall 216
  • Mailing Address: One University Plaza, MS 7650, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701

Conclusion

The Master's in Nutrition and Exercise Science at Southeast Missouri State University is a comprehensive program designed to prepare students for careers in nutrition and exercise interventions. With a strong curriculum, internship opportunities, and graduate assistantships, this program sets students up for success in their future endeavors.