Master of Science Degree without Thesis

(36 credits)
The non-thesis plan is designed for those whose major objective in graduate study is to enhance their professional background in exercise and sport sciences.

Graduation requirements -- a total of 36 credits (24 credits of required courses and 12 credits of electives) are needed to complete this program. In addition, the student must complete a written comprehensive examination.

Written comprehensive examination -- a written examination covering general knowledge of the field, research and statistical methods, and specific knowledge in the area of concentration constitutes the comprehensive examination for this degree program. In order to be eligible for the written comprehensive examination, the student must have completed the required courses and have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher for all graduate courses completed as part of the program. This includes graduate courses taken at Ithaca College, exchange courses at Cornell University, or approved transfer courses taken at other institutions.

Non-Thesis Plan Credits

665-55000	Contemporary Issues	3
665-61000	Survey of Statistical Methods	3
665-61100	Research Methods	3
665-71000	Computer Applications in Exercise and Sport Sciences	3
	Area of concentration	12-15
	Electives	9-12
	Total	36

(The total may include up to 6 credits approved for transfer from other schools.)

Area of Concentration

One of the unique characteristics of Ithaca College's plan of study is the opportunity to pursue an area of concentration, an experience usually reserved for doctoral study at many institutions. The student must complete 9-15 credits of courses approved by the adviser in one area of concentration -- exercise physiology or sport psychology. The concentration approach to graduate study is designed to provide depth to the program and also to provide specific future employment opportunities. Included in each of the concentrations is the possibility of independent study and internship to increase relevant and practical learning opportunities.

Concentration in Exercise Physiology

Exercise physiology is the study of physiological responses and adaptations consequent to exercise. Through specific coursework, this concentration focuses on both the theoretical and applied/clinical aspects of exercise physiology. Students who want to emphasize theoretical learning are advised to pursue the thesis option while those with a clinical orientation should consider the non-thesis option with an internship. If desired, a student can have a more comprehensive experience by completing all prescribed coursework, thesis, and an internship.

An objective of the exercise physiology concentration is to assist in preparation for registration as a clinical exercise physiologist and for external certification as a health/fitness instructor or exercise specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine. Students are actively encouraged to seek additional credentials of this nature.

Prerequisites for applicants to the exercise physiology concentration include completion of coursework in anatomy and physiology; biomechanics or kinesiology; exercise physiology; and statistics or tests and measurements.

Thesis plan students must take 12 credits and complete their thesis in this area of concentration. Students in the non-thesis plan must complete 15 credits in this area of concentration. All exercise physiology students are eligible for related internships. An internship is strongly encouraged for those following the non-thesis plan. Exercise physiology students may study special topics through 665-62000 Thesis, 665-63000 Independent Research, and 665-63100 Independent Reading.

Exercise Physiology Concentration Courses

Required

665-54000	Physiological Mechanisms of Exercise: Cellular Aspects
665-54200	Physiological Mechanisms of Exercise: Systemic Aspects
665-54400	Multidimensional Assessment of Physical Function
665-54600	Graded Exercise Testing and Exercise Prescription
665-54800*	Exercise for Disease Intervention and the Older Adult

*Required for non-thesis option; recommended for thesis plan.

Elective

665-51200	Psychological Perspectives of Sport
665-66000	Internship
665-74200	Advanced Techniques of Athletic Training

Concentration in Physical Education

After the 2003-2004 academic year a concentration in physical education will no longer be offered in the graduate program in exercise and sport sciences. Students entering the physical education concentration in fall 2003 will follow the physical education curriculum, and need to meet any specific physical education requirements for graduation, as presented in the 2002-2003 Ithaca College graduate catalog. Please consult your academic advisor for further details.

Concentration in Sport Psychology

The primary focus of this concentration is on the psychological factors that influence sport participation and performance. Topics are derived from clinical, developmental, educational, experimental, and social psychology, and also from the basic understanding of sport and its varied task demands. Emphasis is on application, description, explanation, and prediction of parameters of sport participation and performance. Applicants for the sport psychology concentration need to show evidence of completion of coursework in conceptually relevant content areas. A statistics or tests and measurements class is also a prerequisite.

Thesis plan students must take nine credits and complete their thesis in the area of concentration. Students in the non-thesis plan must complete 12 credits in the area of concentration.

Sport Psychology Concentration Courses

Required

665-51200	Psychological Perspectives of Sport
665-51300	Psychological Applications to Sport Performance
665-51400	Counseling Student-Athletes
665-51500*	Effective Team Building
665-51600*	Motivation for Superior Performance

*Required for non-thesis option; recommended for thesis plan.

Elective

665-51700	Stress Management
665-66000	Internship

Academic Warning and Dismissal

The graduate program in exercise and sport sciences follows the Division of Graduate Studies policies regarding academic warning and academic dismissal. Students on academic warning are not permitted to enroll in thesis, independent research, or independent reading courses.

Academic Advising

The chair of the graduate program in exercise and sport sciences serves as the academic adviser for all students enrolled in the program. Students writing a thesis select, with approval of the chair, a thesis adviser and reader from among the graduate faculty in exercise and sport sciences.

Pass/Fail Option

All graduate courses must be taken for a letter grade. There is no pass/fail option for graduate courses in exercise and sport sciences.

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of assistantships are available for full-time matriculated graduate students and for admitted degree candidates. The assistantships include a scholarship, which is applied to the tuition bill, and a taxable salary for carrying out assigned duties. Students must have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in order to be considered for assistantships. Assistantships are typically awarded on a two-semester basis and involve 8-15 hours per week of duties and responsibilities arranged and supervised by a faculty member. Specific areas for assistantships include: wellness clinic and adult fitness center; programs in anatomy, athletic training, biomechanics, computer applications and statistics, exercise physiology, kinesiology, physiology, and recreational sports; coaching in men's and women's varsity athletic programs; and teaching supervision. In any given year about 75 percent of the full-time matriculated graduate students in exercise and sport sciences hold assistantships.

For information, contact Division of Graduate Studies, gradstudies@ithaca.edu
Andrejs Ozolins, Office of Publications, 30. November, 2003