Advanced education and scientific inquiry in areas related to exercise physiology, healthy movement, nutrition, and preventive approaches to many diseases and their associated comorbidities continue to dominate many areas of allied health education and professions.
Health Sciences, MS
As researchers continue to explore and better understand how exercise, nutrition, and recovery strategies can improve the health and performance of young, old, healthy, diseased and athletic populations, the expectation rises for future professionals to have a comprehensive and diverse education based in these areas. The Master of Science in Health Sciences degree program at Lindenwood University in St. Louis (St. Charles) MO prepares its students for current and future areas in this dynamic career field.
Providing a combination of classroom learning, advanced laboratory technologies, and opportunities to apply learning continues to be a cornerstone and strength of graduate education in the College of Science, Technology, and Health at Lindenwood University. Students in this St. Louis master of health science degree program have the opportunity to learn by doing, whether it is assisting student athletes with strength and conditioning, answering their own research questions, presenting research at an academic conference, working directly with clients to improve their health and fitness, or guiding seniors and those with disabilities out in the community to safely complete healthy exercise. You will also receive personalized guidance from professors who care about your success and whose real world experience brings a new level of expertise to their classes.
Two areas of emphasis in Sports Science and Performance and Fitness and Wellness allow you to shape your degree to fit your career interests. With a Master of Science in Health Sciences degree, you will discover how you can make a difference in the lives of all individuals and all walks of life.
Lindenwood University Health Sciences Faculty
The St. Louis Health Sciences faculty at Lindenwood University are dedicated to helping you succeed in your chosen career path. Not only are they published researchers and experts in human performance theory, but they also have direct experience working in the field as certified athletic trainers, sport nutritionists, sport scientists, strength and conditioning specialists, and personal trainers.
Our professors have worked one-on-one with individuals in physical therapy clinics, as well as with players on college and professional sports teams. You will benefit from the strong mentoring relationship our students have with faculty members who know what it is like to work in the industry.
Earning a Master of Science Degree in Health Sciences at Lindenwood University
As a graduate student in health sciences, you will take classes that integrate theory, research, and practical, hands-on applications to give you a thorough blend of knowledge and experience that will help you in all phases of your career. The curriculum is designed to prepare you for a number of certifications in exercise physiology and strength and conditioning from such groups as the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the International Society of Sports Nutrition, and the Aerobic Fitness Association of America.
In addition, the graduate curriculum is an NSCA Recognized Graduate Program and is recognized for both its Applied and Research components to its curriculum. To date, this recognition has only been achieved by 11 other universities or colleges in the world and is the only one in the state of Missouri or any of its surrounding states.
Admission Requirements
- The Master of Science in Health Sciences currently has no application deadline and applicants are accepted on a rolling basis after their application file is complete.
- No GRE score is required.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Previous four-year degree, preferably in area related to exercise science, kinesiology, athletic training, health promotion, etc.
- Absolute prerequisites: Basic statistics, anatomy & physiology I and II (both with labs), exercise physiology (with lab) and exercise testing. All courses must be completed with a “C” or better prior to full admission into the program. You can be accepted on a conditional acceptance basis with approval from the graduate program director.
- Additional preferred coursework: Past student performance has indicated that students with introductory coursework in nutrition, exercise prescription, kinesiology and foundational science courses in areas related to biology, chemistry and physics are better suited to handle the rigors of the program.
Two different areas of emphasis allow you to select classes that add a further level of specialization to your degree depending on your career interests.
Emphasis in Sports Science and Performance
The Sport Science and Performance Specialization emphasis provides you with a strong scientific basis, allowing you to seek advanced degrees in the exercise physiology, corporate wellness, clinical exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, tactical fitness and conditioning, and allied health professions as well as teaching you practical skills for employment in the health and fitness industry.
Emphasis in Fitness and Wellness
The Fitness and Wellness specialization emphasis will provide you with a strong scientific basis, allowing you to seek advanced degrees in wellness, therapeutic recreation and various allied health professions as well as providing practical skills for employment in the health and fitness industry.
Teaching and Research Laboratories
In the fall of 2017, approximately 2,000 square feet was renovated to relocate all teaching and research space within the College of Science, Technology, and Health to the Fieldhouse building on the St. Charles campus. The renovation and relocation was completed during the summer of 2017 and effectively provides the first dedicated teaching and research space for the College of Science, Technology, and Health. In addition to space dedicated for offices, approximately 350 square feet has been dedicated to the development an exercise biochemistry laboratory space and approximately 1,400 square feet for the Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory. This new location allows for all Exercise Science and Health Sciences students to more closely interact with program faculty, participate in teaching and research projects and collect data for faculty and student research projects. During the summer of 2018, additional space was dedicated to create a laboratory space for teaching and research related to thermoregulation, hydration, and thermal stress.
What to do with a Graduate Degree in Health Sciences
When you earn your MS in Health Sciences degree, you will be fully prepared for an exciting career as an athletic trainer, strength and conditioning coach, sports nutritionist, personal fitness trainer, or many other positions within the allied health professions and fitness industry.
Additionally, collective bargaining agreements between players' union and professional sporting organizations are increasingly requiring more education and national certifications for their strength and conditioning staff. Similarly a recent roundtable highlighted the growth in jobs and opportunities in areas related to tactical strength and conditioning as law enforcement, paramedics, fire, police, special force branches of the military, FBI, and secret service are all working to find ways to better prepare, assess, maintain and prolong the health and longevity of their work forces.
Contact the College of Science, Technology, and Health
For more information about this St. Louis graduate degree program in health sciences at Lindenwood University, contact Dr. Scott Richmond, Director of the Health Sciences program, at (636) 949-4631 or srichmond@lindenwood.edu.