Prior to admission to any graduate program at Valdosta State University, applicants must first submit a completed application to the Graduate School. A completed application packet includes official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, official test scores (GRE or MAT), completed application form, fee, and any additional program requirements (listed below), submitted by the admission deadline. To be considered for the preferred term, all required materials must be received by the Graduate School no later than the close of business on the deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant to allow adequate time for document submission and to ensure receipt of documents.
Admission Deadline: June 1
Program Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the MS in Exercise Physiology program, an applicant must have:
1. graduated from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree.
2. a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
3. minimum scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) of 400 (if taken before November 2011) or 146 (if taken after November 2011) on the verbal section and 3.5 on the analytical writing section. A Miller Analogies Test (MAT) score of 400 or higher (or equivalent) will be accepted as an alternative to the GRE.
4. three letters of recommendation from persons whose observations of the applicant's character and abilities are current. Letters of recommendation must be accompanied by the required General Graduate Recommendation Form.
NOTE: Regular graduate admission status requires the completion of the following undergraduate prerequisite courses: Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Exercise Physiology, Statistics, Chemistry, and Kinesiology.
Program Considerations for Probationary Status
Students must be recommended for probationary status by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Graduate Faculty. To be reclassified as Regular status, probationary students must, at a minimum, maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first nine semester hours of graduate coursework and meet any and all contingencies and conditions set forth by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies
1. Students must have documentation of current professional liability insurance of $1,000,000/$3,000,000.
2. Students must have documentation of current health and accident insurance.
3. Students must have documentation of current certification in American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR.
4. Students must provide evidence of current health status:
a. a current physical examination (by a medical physician or nurse practitioner) on admission, affirming that they are free from communicable disease and able to function safely in a clinical environment;
b. immunizations: documentation must include but is not limited to MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), tetanus toxoid, varicella titer, Hepatitis B vaccination, and PPD tuberculin test as required by affiliating clinical agencies;
i. MMR: serologic evidence of immunity or prior vaccination
ii. tetanus toxoid must remain up to date during tenure in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The CDC recommendations for healthcare personnel are utilized by our clinical agencies. Adults who have completed a primary series of a tetanus/diphtheria-containing product (DPT, DTaP, DT, Td) should receive Td boosters every 10 years. Students younger than age 65 years with direct patient contact should be given a one-time dose of DTaP, if Td booster is scheduled prior to admission or during tenure in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences
iii. varicella (chickenpox) requires serologic proof of immunity, prior vaccination, or documented history of varicella disease
iv. Hepatitis B vaccination or proof of immunity (anti-HBs at least 10 mIU/ml) is required. Students who initiate the recommended series for admission must provide proof of maintaining scheduled three-dose series (dose #1 now, dose #2 in a month, dose #3 approximately five months after #2)
v. PPD (tuberculin skin test) is required annually or proof of a negative chest X-ray (every 5 years)
vi. influenza vaccine annually is recommended but not required
5. Students may be subject to background check and drug screening at any point during the program.
6. Students must have a minimum grade of "C" in all graduate program courses.
7. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all graduate courses.
8. Students receiving two failing grades ("D," "F," "WF," or "U") will be dismissed from the program.
9. If dismissed from the program, the student must wait a minimum of one calendar year and obtain approval from the academic department before applying for readmission. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed, and prior academic performance and conduct in the program will be considered.
10. The maximum time allowed for completion of the master's degree is 7 calendar years. No work completed more than 7 years prior to degree completion will be accepted toward the degree, except with special permission from the student's major professor and the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and approval from the Dean of the Graduate School.
11. No more than 9 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a master's-level graduate program. This credit must be documented in the form of an official transcript at the time of admission. Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission, by the academic department. To be eligible, credit must be no more than 7 years old prior to completion of degree.
Program Graduation Requirements
1. Students must complete an application for graduation one semester prior to their expected graduation date.
2. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. No grade below a "C" will be credited toward the degree.
3. Satisfactory completion of the comprehensive examination covering the areas of theory, research, the clinical focus, and the selected role.
4. Successful completion of a thesis or internship.
Requirements for the M.S. in Exercise Physiology Program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HSEP 7100 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| PSYC 5500 | Statistical Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| RSCH 7100 | Research Methodology in Education | 3 |
| HSEP 7010 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| HSEP 7060 | Exercise Physiology Laboratory Methods | 3 |
| HSEP 7070 | 3 | |
| HSEP 7120 | Environmental and Occupational Physiology | 3 |
| HSEP 7400 | 3 | |
| HSEP 7160 or HSEP 6080 | 3 | |
| HSEP 7950 or HSEP 7999 | 6 | |
| Total hours required for the degree | 33 | |
