Students in the Exercise Science program select one of three concentration options. The Research option includes coursework and experiences to prepare students for future Ph.D. work. The Clinical Exercise Physiology option includes coursework and experiences to prepare students for transition into a Ph.D. or Professional program, or for careers in cardiac rehabilitation and clinical research. The Strength and Conditioning option includes coursework and experiences to prepare students for careers in strength and conditioning, sports performance, or the private fitness industry.
For more information on the Graduate Program please contact: Dr. Kym Fasczewski, Director of the ES Graduate Program - email: fasczewskiks@appstate.edu - phone: 828-262-7987
General Admission Requirements
All applicants for admission to the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies must hold a baccalaureate degree from a college or university of recognized standing and must have an undergraduate background appropriate for the proposed graduate program. In addition, all applicants must submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), a resume, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation.
Departmental Admission
Minimum requirements include:
- Baccalaureate degree (Exercise Science Preferred);
- 3.0 GPA in the last earned degree, OR
- 2.5 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores at the 25th percentile level from the GRE
Additional requirements to enter graduate school at Appalachian State University can be viewed on the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School site.
Undergraduate coursework in the following: Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, plus two additional science courses. These courses should be completed prior to formal admission into the program and registration in graduate courses with few exceptions. This list may not include prerequisites for all elective courses. Assessment of prerequisite requirements is made at the discretion of the graduate program director.
Application Procedures
All applications are now online through the School of Graduate Studies. However, a complete application consists of the submission of the following materials:
A completed application with appropriate, non-refundable, non-deductible application processing fee (consult application to see current fee which can be paid by credit card)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts of all previous academic work a current resume and a personal statement outlining professional goals and how the Master of Science in Exercise Science from Appalachian will help to achieve those goals.
- Official GRE scores
- Students who meet the Graduate School criteria for standard admission (3.0 undergraduate GPA) are eligible for a GRE waiver and are not required to submit GRE scores. Students may be asked to submit a writing sample.
The application is not forwarded to the graduate program director until all required documents are on file. It is the applicant's responsibility to monitor the application process. The application deadline for Fall admission is April 1; however, we will begin early review of applications on February 1 for considerations on acceptance and GA positions. The deadline for Spring admission is November 1 but admission is also contingent upon space available as most students begin the program in the fall. More information and application materials are available below.
When applying to the program it is highly encouraged for you to contact a potential faculty mentor by looking through the faculty profiles and identifying a faculty member with whom you might be interested in working (i.e., similar research interests) as part of your potential graduate assistant responsibilities.
Beginning in the fall semester (2020) the Beaver College of Health Sciences will require all graduate and undergraduate students, who as a part of their program of study have required or elective clinicals, internships, field placements, or practicums, to submit to a criminal background check. The BCHS policy can be found here.