Suggestions for Grad. Programs in Exercise phys/nutrition?

Where in the country are you looking to go - any place specific?

What career are you aiming for? School choice makes a big difference if you want to coach vs do research vs work in cardiac rehab. Each school has its speciality area, biomechanics, ex phys, nutrition, etc.

A few of the top exercise science programs are:

UMass, Penn State, UDelaware, Wake Forest, UNC-Greensboro, UConn, Arizona State, Illinois, Maryland, Indiana U., Oregon State, Texas A&M, Wisc, Michigan, Michigan State.

Most of these schools were ranked because of their PhD programs, but I think it's safe to assume the Masters programs are decent as well.

Depending on the program, it might be difficult to use eligibility. Your advisor may decide that since the dept is paying your way, you need to spend your time working for them, not running.

I just noticed you said you want to work with runner and endurance athletes. Not to burst your bubble, but chances of that happening are very small. The need (read $$$) is not with athletes, but with general health, the aging population, and the obesity epidemic. Even for that type of research, the government is not handing out as much funding as they were a few years ago.

If you want to work with athletes, get your coaching certification from USATF. Combine that with your experience, and you should have a better chance of landing a job and working your way up the coaching ladder.

Thank you very much for your enlightening reply. I definitely lean towards coaching than research. USATF certification seems like the way to go then.

Anywhere in the country, preferably not the middle of nowhere.

This whole degree discussion has come up a few times, but I definitely agree with the previous poster... Cardiac rehab, obesity, and general wellness are where the money is nowadays, hence the careers. The previous poster also made a good point about coursework being different based on which program you enter into - some will have more of a clinical component, others more of a performance component.

I am not a big believer in USATF certification in evaluating somebody's coaching knowledge or abilities, though it is a certification that may simply be required for a job.

It is still possible to work with athletes once you have a MS degree in ex phys or nutrition, but you definitely have to try pretty hard at it by making opportunities to do so. Doing internships with athletic teams, volunteer coaching, etc. all help.

Since you are not interested in a research career, a non-thesis program is probably best for you. I still like the idea of doing theses for graduate degrees, but since there are many people not going into research, the non-thesis option can be a good one for you.

Also, know that many MS students come from different backgrounds, so you will fit in fine in many (but not all) programs... some of the more challenging ones may not accept you if you do not have the appropriate coursework to start. You may also be interested in coming your fine arts with coaching-related things, like movement analysis applied to coaching... not exactly art, but still very graphical in nature.

Hope that helps...

Thank you. I love I can come on this board for fun but also to get serious advice from experienced and knowledgeable people.

Thanks. I know some details about programs in some Pennsylvania colleges, including one I work at (and teach grad. ex phys at) - e-mail me if you want any specific info on them.

I agree completely with what Dr. S said. There are many different options for a graduate degree in the "exercise science" field.

You shouldn't have much trouble getting in if your grades are decent and you have some experience. My buddy in grad school hadn't had chemistry since high school and now he has an MS with emphasis on pulmonary physiology (still no chem!)

When choosing where to go, I definitely looked at individual professor's research and tried to tailor my education to fit what I wanted to do. It is difficult being a runner and having the desire to work with other runners, cause it just ain't gonna happen... I had to find a balance between what I loved to do and what will pay the bills (physical therapy, which still allows me to work with athletes occasionally).

I mentioned the coaching certification because it could give you a 1-up on someone going for the same job... not necessary to be a good coach.

Good luck.

You might also consider a place that has a degree in Coaching like West Virginia where you get some ex science, but the focus is on coaching.

My ex phys program was good, but it was not useful in teaching me to be a coach.