Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning
Program Overview
This challenging program will allow future professionals (e.g., personal trainers, strength and conditioning professionals, physical educators, sports scientists, physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports psychologists, chiropractors, and sports medicine professionals) to enhance their education on human performance. The program will focus on developing a strength and conditioning professional's ability to create evidence-informed practices for general, clinical, and athletic populations in preparation for sitting for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Program Highlights
The graduate program in Strength and Conditioning provides core coursework in exercise technique, assessment, and programming, strength and conditioning theory and practical application, and sport science. This program develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills that students use to apply theoretical knowledge to evidence-informed practice.
The degree program requires 27 credit hours of required coursework and 9 credit hours of supervised internship experience.
Additional Program Requirements
Prospective students must be aware that internships must be supervised by a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist while on-site. This may require travel to internship locations, up to 60 minutes. Prospective students will be responsible for organizing their travel to and from their approved internship sites.
Practical Experience Degree Requirement
Obtain 360 hours of practical experience with a CSCS professional before graduation. Potential environments include collegiate (Division I and Division III), high school, sports medicine, and private facilities.
External Scholarship Opportunity
The National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation offers scholarship opportunities for graduate students to assist with tuition costs and professional development.
Career Potential
SUNY Cortland-trained strength and conditioning professionals can work in various settings, including schools, colleges, professional and Olympic Teams, fitness centers, recreational facilities, corporate wellness, hospitals, military bases, and public safety departments.
Possible job titles include:
- Strength and conditioning coach
- Sport/human performance coach
- Sport scientist
- Human movement scientist
- Exercise/performance physiologist
- Biomechanist
- Injury prevention specialist
- Personal Trainer
This program prepares students for advanced study at the doctoral level.
Graduate Admissions
Evaluation Policy
We seek a diverse and academically strong student body at SUNY Cortland. Our admission policy and practice will not discriminate based on age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, or marital status.
Required materials
Completed online Graduate School Application
- Completed online Graduate School Application.
- A bachelor’s degree. Forward official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended directly to the SUNY Cortland Graduate Admissions Office. Note: Candidates for admission must present evidence of a bachelor’s degree conferral before the start of their academic program.
- A typewritten statement of 250 words or less submitted with the online application demonstrating professional goals and commitment to, and interest in, the strength and conditioning profession. The applicant should demonstrate an ability to write clearly and well.
- A resume, submitted online with the application.
- Two letters of recommendation
Admissions criteria
- Preference will be given to a GPA of 3.0 and above on a 4.0 scale for an undergraduate degree.
- Provide evidence of a minimum grade of C in the following college or university courses or equivalent:
- Anatomy and Physiology I (with lab) and II (with lab) OR Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology (with lab)
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomechanics
- Statistics