Sport and Exercise Sciences
Tal Amasay, Ph.D., Programs Director
The Sport and Exercise Sciences (SES) Programs offers three graduate degrees:
Master of Science in Kinesiology and Human Performance
Master of Science in Kinesiology and Human Performance with Specialization in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology
MS Kinesiology and Human Performance, SEPP/Master’s of Business Administration, Dual Degree
Vision, Mission, and Values
Vision
To pursue excellence in Sport and Exercise Sciences as an essential part of a liberal education gleaned from traditional parent disciplines in the humanities: biological, behavioral, sociological sciences, and the arts.
Mission
We aspire to be the program of choice for students majoring in sport and exercise sciences who desire an international, premium, ethically based, and market-related education. We accomplish this in a diverse, caring, and nurturing environment with dedicated and professionally competent faculty who excel in teaching, service, and scholarship.
Values
Scientific inquiry within the Sport and Exercise Sciences develops students’ perspectives about themselves and the world around them and fosters new and creative ways of thinking. It is also the foundation upon which professional practice knowledge, essential for success in a career, is constructed.
- We strive to create an environment conducive to scholarship and provide opportunities for professional development and personal growth.
- We engage students in a top quality education based upon critical and independent thinking that facilitates young professionals to become successful in their chosen fields upon graduation.
- In the Catholic intellectual tradition, we facilitate sport and exercise sciences content and experiential learning in each student through the development of confidence and competence while offering the appeal of a small private university.
- We contribute to research-based evidence and generate new knowledge in our respective academic fields by producing high-quality research that is locally and internationally relevant and ethically responsible.
- We engage in service to our University, our profession, and our community to contribute to positive, transformative, social, and intellectual outcomes.
Kinesiology and Human Performance Paths
The purpose of the Master of Science (M.S.) in Kinesiology and Human Performance paths is to prepare qualified students for careers and/or advanced professional study in a variety of exercise-related, sport, and wellness fields. The degree provides a comprehensive selection of options for the practicing professional, the administrator, or the educator seeking advanced study in the Kinesiology and Human Performance. Degree preparation will include research-based theory and practical applications with an emphasis on ethical and moral decision-making for leaders. Academic preparation focuses primarily on understanding movement, health and fitness, and performance enhancement, and integrating this knowledge in various areas of concentration.
The M.S. in Kinesiology and Human Performance provides the student with these options:
- Choose the Kinesiology and Human Performance degree
OR
- Choose a Kinesiology and Human Performance Degree with a specialization in Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology
OR
- Choose a Kinesiology and Human Performance Degree with a specialization in Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology/Master of Business Administration (MBA) dual program
Admission criteria, as well as academic and graduation requirements, can be found under the SES Graduate Program Requirements and Policies and under the respective areas of study.
Kinesiology and Human Performance Program Goals
Upon successful completion of the program leading to the Master of Science degree in Kinesiology and Human Performance, students will demonstrate:
Research Skills—Students will critically examine research methods and designs used in a variety of Kinesiology and Human Performance settings, and develop research techniques, including the ability to define research problems, write hypotheses, review and interpret literature, apply research designs, organize, analyze, and present data.
Ethical Decision Making Skills—Students will demonstrate knowledge of and collectively appraise ethical issues in kinesiology and human performance as they affect individuals, communities, society, and professions. Students will also demonstrate the ability to apply an ethical framework to make personal and professional decisions.
Professionalism—Students will demonstrate and integrate the roles of a Kinesiology and Human Performance professional while assuming personal responsibility for continuing professional competence and development.
Practical/Clinical Skills—Students will demonstrate the competencies that meet the standards for the profession in the application of kinesiology and human performance principles.
Communication Skills—Students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills, including scholarly writing and academic presentations.
Theoretical Knowledge—Students will demonstrate knowledge of, evaluate, and utilize appropriate discipline-related theory within an advanced kinesiology and human performance context.
SES Graduate Program Requirements and Policies
The general policies listed below apply to all graduate programs offered within the Sport & Exercise Sciences (SES) Programs. Additional requirements specific to the major may be found under the respective graduate program description in the SES Programs listing. Graduate students may attend full-time or part-time. A full-time graduate course load is nine (9) credit hours per semester or the completion of eighteen (18) credit hours in a calendar year.
Graduate Admissions Criteria
- Acceptance by the University’s Office of Graduate Admissions*;
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized institution, as verified by two (2) official transcripts;
- Sufficient undergraduate preparation or life experience, as determined by the Program Director;
- Satisfaction of additional entrance requirements or minimal test scores on national examinations, if specified for particular degree programs;
- Two (2) letters of recommendation (at least one from an academic source);
- Resume; and
- A short essay describing personal career goals and how a graduate degree from Barry will help fulfill these goals.
*Non-degree seeking or special status, as determined by the Office of Graduate Admissions, requires SES Programs Director approval and does not guarantee admission to a degree program. Enrollment is limited to six (6) to nine (9) graduate credits.
Non-degree acceptance will only be changed to regular degree-seeking status upon review and official notification of full acceptance from the Director of SES Programs. Grades of ‘B’ or better are required in all prior graduate coursework. Submission of all documentation required by the Office of Graduate Admissions and/or the respective degree program is also necessary. The student will also receive notification in writing from the Director of SES Programs should the decision be dismissal from the program or extension of current status beyond the nine (9) credit hours for a specified period and under certain conditions.
Readmission
Any student who interrupts enrollment in graduate coursework at Barry University for one calendar year or more must apply in writing to the Office of Graduate Admissions for re-admittance into the program. Approval by the SES Programs Director is also required.
Transfer Credits
A maximum of six (6) hours of acceptable credits may be transferred from another accredited /internationally listed college or university toward a graduate degree from Barry University. This is subject to approval by the SES Programs Director. Consideration will only be given to graduate level coursework completed within the five (5) year period immediately preceding initial enrollment at Barry. This coursework must be relevant to the discipline and either an A or B grade must have been earned. In addition, remaining credits required for graduation must be earned within seven years of initial enrollment in graduate coursework at Barry University. Credits used to earn a degree at another institution will not be accepted.
Time Limitation/Continuous Registration/Financial Aid
A maximum of seven (7) years is allowed for completing all degree requirements. Candidates for graduate degrees must be continuously enrolled during the regular academic year in a minimum of 1 credit per term. SES 699 satisfies this requirement if not enrolled in regular coursework applicable towards the degree. A candidate must be enrolled in at least 1 graduate credit hour during the term of expected graduation. Students receiving loans must enroll in four credits each term to qualify for loan funding.
Advising
Students pursuing graduate courses will be assigned an advisor by the SES Programs Director.
Project/Thesis
All students pursuing M.S. In Kinesiology and Human Performance are required to complete either a thesis or an internship. Students in the M.S. in Kinesiology and Human Performance—Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology specialization select either the “research” option, which requires the submission of a written thesis at six (6) credit hours, the “applied” option, which involves completion of six (6) credit hours of practicum coursework; or the “dual” option which encompasses both the research and applied options.
Students selecting the thesis option are required to take an additional quantitative or qualitative research course, SES 624 (Advanced Statistics in Sport and Exercise Science) or SES 630 (Qualitative Research in SES) for three (3) credit hours. The thesis option is strongly recommended in order to refine research skills for those seeking further graduate study.
Comprehensive Assessments
All students choosing the internship option are expected to pass the SES 692 (Capstone Project in Sport and Exercise Sciences) course prior to being approved for the internship. Students choosing the thesis option are not required to take this course.
Academic and Graduation Requirements
All students must maintain a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 and are limited to a maximum of 6 credit hours of C grades (Grades below C are unacceptable for continued enrollment.) Any student who fails to meet these requirements is subject to SES Programs Director review and academic jeopardy, including dismissal from the program. Graduation requires a minimum 3.0 GPA.
A student may pursue elective coursework to complement a specialization or interests with prior approval from one’s Graduate Advisor.
The SES faculty reserves the right to accept, retain, and recommend for graduation only those graduate students who, in addition to satisfying stipulated academic requirements, meet personal and professional standards established by national governing bodies. Admission to graduate programs in the Programs in SES does not guarantee progression to the internship, thesis, certification, or graduation.
Master of Science in Kinesiology and Human Performance
Claire Egret, Ph.D., Coordinator
M.S. in Kinesiology and Human Performance
This program builds on a foundation of knowledge in exercise physiology, biomechanics, and wellness. It will provide the tools and skills needed to analyze performance and make recommendations for improvement in wellness, fitness, strength and conditioning, and injury prevention. The Kinesiology and Human Performance degree is a one-year program that requires a total of 30 credits of coursework. The Kinesiology and Human Performance program requires 21 credits in the core and 9 credits in the thesis or internship tracks. The choice of SES 689/690 Thesis I and II or SES 679 Internship requires prior approval of an intended program of study by the program coordinator.
Admission Requirements
General admission requirements are to be found under School of SES Graduate Program Requirements and Policies. A personal interview arranged with the SES Programs Director may be required prior to admission or obtaining “degree seeking” status. In addition, a student seeking admission to the Kinesiology and Human Performance program must have earned:
- an acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and
- an “above average” undergraduate GPA.
- undergraduate coursework in human anatomy, exercise physiology, and kinesiology or biomechanics.
Note:
The SES Programs Director reserves the right to establish a minimum undergraduate GPA as well as a minimum GRE score for applicants. GRE applications are available from Barry’s Office of Graduate Admissions.
Master of Science (30 credits)
Core Courses (21 credits)
Note: Upon special request of the SES Program Director, consideration may be given for substituting an approved elective for SES-621, if the student has satisfactorily completed a Sports Ethics course at Barry University.
Thesis/Internship Track (9 credits)
Choose one of the following options:
Thesis Option (9 credits)
Internship Options (9 credits)
Master of Science in Kinesiology and Human Performance with Specialization in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology
Kim Shaffer, Ph.D., Coordinator
The specialization in Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology (SEPP) combines both theory and practice in preparing students for leadership roles in sport, exercise, and overall performance enhancement. Teaching, coaching, performance consulting and research are examples of career fields in which professional opportunities are available. Graduates are also prepared to pursue doctoral study. Degree preparation includes advanced coursework in the sport sciences and in psychology, focusing on the thought processes that ultimately influence the behavior of individuals involved in sport, exercise, and other performance activities such as dance or music. Students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to influence those processes. The program offers extensive opportunities for research and applied practice with state-of-the-art equipment housed in the Performance Behavior Laboratory (PBL). There are 4 available options depending on student's career goals (Applied, Research, Applied+Research, and Online).
All students who select the “Applied” option (total 36 credits) (i.e., requiring SES-677 SEPP Service Delivery, SES-678 SEPP Professional Practice, and SES-660 Performance Enhancement Psychology, at 3 credit hours per course) may have the opportunity to accumulate applied experiences and begin accumulating hours applicable toward Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) provisional status certification. The student is responsible for completing, subsequent to graduation, any remaining supervised applied hours and submitting the AASP application materials required for certification. Some individuals may need to enroll in additional coursework beyond that listed below for completion of the degree in order to satisfy AASP provisional status certification requirements. Consult with the coordinator of the SEPP program in the early stages of planning a program of study so that it can be determined if any additional coursework might be necessary.
Students who intend at some point to pursue advanced graduate study leading to the doctoral degree are strongly encouraged to select the “Research” option (total 36 credits), which requires the submission of a written thesis. The research option requires SES-624 Advanced Statistics for SES or SES-630 Qualitative Research in SES (3), AND SES-689 Thesis I and SES-690 Thesis II at 3 credit hours per course).
Students wishing to pursue the “Dual” track (i.e., both the applied AND research emphasis) in SEPP must include in their plan of study: SES-660 Performance Enhancement Psychology (3) AND SES-624 Advanced Statistics for SES or SES-630 Qualitative Research in SES (3), SES-677 SEPP Service Delivery (3), SES-678 SEPP Practice (3), AND SES-689 Thesis I and SES-690 Thesis II (6). This plan of study will require nine (9) additional credits to complete both emphases for a total of 45 credits. Students choosing this option must successfully complete all requirements in both emphases for M.S. degree conferral.
For student who cannot attend in person, the online program is an option. the online program is a completely asynchronous and designed to be completed through modules, in a one year time frame.
Admission Requirements
General admission requirements are to be found under SES Graduate Program Requirements and Policies. A personal interview arranged with program director may be requested prior to admission or obtaining “degree seeking” status. In addition, a student seeking admission to the Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology program must:
- have completed undergraduate coursework in psychology, and
- receive an acceptable score on the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) and possess an “above average” undergraduate GPA.
Note:
The SES Programs Director reserves the right to establish a minimum undergraduate GPA as well as a minimum GRE score for applicants. GRE applications are available from Barry’s Office of Graduate Admissions. Students in the Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology specialization who lack undergraduate coursework in anatomy, and kinesiology or biomechanics will be required to complete those courses prior to taking SES-546.
Graduation Requirements
Refer to the Master of Science in Kinesiology and Human Performance graduation requirements.
Master of Science (36 – 45 credits)
Core Courses (24 credits)
Electives for Thesis and Dual Tracks (minimum 3 credits)
Choose one of the following areas of emphasis to complete program requirements:
Applied Emphasis Track Requirement (12 credits)
| SES-660 | PERF ENHANCEMENT PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| SES-677 | SPORT, EXE & PERF PSY SERVICE DELIVERY | 3 |
| SES-678 | SPORT/EXE & PERF PSYCH PROF PRACTICE | 3 |
| SES-692 | CAPSTONE PROJECT IN SES | 3 |
Research Emphasis Track Requirement (9 credits)
Dual Emphasis Track Requirement (18 credits)
| SES-660 | PERF ENHANCEMENT PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| SES-677 | SPORT, EXE & PERF PSY SERVICE DELIVERY | 3 |
| SES-678 | SPORT/EXE & PERF PSYCH PROF PRACTICE | 3 |
-
| | |
| SES-624 | ADVANCED STATS FOR SPORT & EX SCIENCES | 3 |
-
| Or | |
| SES-630 | QUALITATIVE RES SPRT & EXC SCIENCES | 3 |
-
| | |
| SES-689 | THESIS I | 3 |
| SES-690 | THESIS II | 3 |
Master of Science - Online (30 credits)
Core Courses (27 credits)
Electives (minimum 3 credits)
MS Kinesiology and Human Performance, SEPP/Master’s of Business Administration, Dual Degree
Kim Shaffer, Ph.D., Coordinator
This dual degree program, within the Sport & Exercise Sciences Programs and the School of Business, allows students to receive a Master’s in Kinesiology and Human Performance, SEPP specialization and Master’s in Business Administration, combined, in a fraction of the time.
Master of Science/ Master of Business Administration (60-69 credits)
Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology Required Courses (24 credits)
SEPP Applied Track Component (12 credits)
| SES-660 | PERF ENHANCEMENT PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| SES-677 | SPORT, EXE & PERF PSY SERVICE DELIVERY | 3 |
| SES-678 | SPORT/EXE & PERF PSYCH PROF PRACTICE | 3 |
| SES-692 | CAPSTONE PROJECT IN SES | 3 |
Note: Students may choose to enroll in both applied and research components adding 9 credits to their academic program.
Research Emphasis Course Requirement (9 credits)
Master of Business Administration (27 credits)
Prerequisite and Preparatory Courses
MBA students must have undergraduate preparation in specific courses/areas (detailed below) from an accredited institution prior to admission to graduate programs in the School of Business. The Dean, or the Dean’s designee, will review each applicant’s undergraduate record to determine which preparatory workshops are required from the student. The decision whether to accept an undergraduate course as equivalent preparation for entry into MBA coursework is at the discretion of the Dean or the Dean’s designee. MBA students must have taken the following undergraduate courses, obtaining a grade of “C” or better in each.
| 6 credit hours of Financial and Managerial Accounting |
| 6 credit hours of Macro and Microeconomics |
| 3 credit hours of College Algebra or Pre-calculus |
| 3 credit hours of Statistics |
| 3 credit hours of Finance |
| 3 credit hours of Management |
| 3 credit hours of Operations Management |
| 3 credit hours of Marketing |