A minimum a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) is required of all students. For international students this may translate to a high pass/pass set of marks. We also require the GRE test, but we have no cutoff minimum score. International students without English as their primary language must take the TOEFL or similar test for English language proficiency.

Undergraduate Prerequisite Coursework Varies from Concentration to Concentration and is as Follows:

Exercise Physiology

  • Anatomy & physiology (7+ credits; 2 semesters, at least one semester with a lab)
  • Kinesiology or Biomechanics (3 credits)
  • Exercise physiology (3-4 credits, with lab)
  • Statistics or Tests & Measurement

It is also desirable that students have coursework in exercise testing and prescription.

Sport Psychology

  • Three psychology courses (9+ credits, courses can be outside a psychology department, e.g., educational psychology, organizational behavior, social psychology). It is strongly encouraged that at least one of these courses be in sport or exercise psychology
  • Statistics or tests & measurement
  • It is strongly encouraged that applicants outside the field of kinesiology take a course in sport psychology.

Human Performance

  • Anatomy & physiology (7+ credits; 2 semesters, at least one semester with a lab)
  • Kinesiology or biomechanics (3 credits)
  • Exercise physiology (3-4 credits, with lab)
  • Statistics or tests & measurement
  • One course in psychology

It is also desirable that students have coursework in exercise testing and prescription.

Prerequisite Deficiencies

Students unsure if their coursework meets these prerequisites are welcome to contact the ESS Graduate Program Chair. The Chair can provide information on undergraduate coursework that may or may not complete these requirements.

If a student has not completed the required prerequisites, he or she can either make them up before arriving on campus or while studying at Ithaca College. The department can admit students with 2 deficient courses for full-time graduate student status. However, if a student is lacking more than 2 courses, the department can only accept him or her as a provisional student. Please see more information in our FAQ section.