Courses and Overview

Program Summary

The Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning is a challenging program that aims to elevate the student’s understanding of human and sport performance. This program will combine theory and practical experience to prepare students to sit for the certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) examination. The CSCS is the premier entry-level certification provided by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. The program will focus on developing a strength and conditioning professional’s ability to create evidence-informed practice for general, clinical and/or athletic populations through coursework and two required field experiences working with a current CSCS professional.

Program Goals

This program will allow future sports medicine professionals (e.g., strength and conditioning professionals, sports scientists, physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports psychologists, chiropractors, and sports medicine practitioners) to enhance their education on human performance. Sports medicine professionals need to understand the performance side of sports to aid their practice when helping an individual come back from injury and how they will progress toward returning to sports participation. For physical educators, this would also fulfill their New York State requirement for a master’s degree while increasing their marketability for job opportunities as a middle school or high school strength coach. Additionally, this program will prepare students pursuing high school or college level coaching jobs with core knowledge for targeted fitness training necessary for their sport.

Expected Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
1. Analyze performance needs and strength and conditioning training methodologies for various sports and experience levels.
2. Communicate and analyze exercise techniques, assessments, and monitoring protocols using disciple-based knowledge.
3. Create evidence-informed aerobic and anaerobic training programs for diverse populations.
4. Demonstrate prudent decision-making while implementing evidence-informed exercise assessments and programs.

Curriculum

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 36

Strength and Conditioning Theory Requirements: 9 credit hours

EXS 535 Neuromuscular Fitness Assessment and Programming (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 538 Cardio-Respiratory Fitness Assessment and Programming (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 558 Physiological Principles of Conditioning for Sports (3 cr. hr.)

Sports Science Requirements: 18 credit hours

EXS 530 Nutrition and Sport Performance
EXS 555 Advanced Exercise Physiology (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 587 Advanced Biomechanics (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 611 Research Methods in Exercise Science (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 612 Advanced Statistical Applications in Exercise Science (3 cr. hr.)
EXS 646 Behavior in Sport (3 cr. hr.)

Internship Requirements: 9 credit hours

EXS 680 Internship in Human Performance

A total of 360 internship hours will be accumulated from two separate internship experiences (one 3 credit & one 6 credit experience) under two different site supervisors during the second year of the program.

Example of the M.S. in Strength and Conditioning over two years