Program Overview

M.S. in Exercise Physiology (major in Sports Sciences)

The Sports Sciences major is designed for students who have a passion for working with elite athletes as a strength and conditioning specialist at the high school, university or professional level.

Students in the major will be academically prepared to sit for the Certified Performance Sports Scientist examination through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. The program can be completed in 5 semesters. All admitted master’s students are assigned to the non-thesis track.

HNFS Graduate Student Handbook

Admission Requirements

If you meet the below requirements, we encourage you to apply to the program.

  1. An upper-division undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The same scale applies for graduate-level work.
  2. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited university. Questions about degree equivalency should be directed to graduateadmissions@fsu.edu.
  3. The GRE general test requirement is waived for MS applicants to our departmental programs through the fall 2026 admission cycle. Master’s applicants may choose to take the Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE) and submit scores. We recommend a score of above the 50th percentile (approximately 150) in both verbal and quantitative sections with a 4.0 or higher on the writing section. Please note that it can take up to ten (10) days after sitting for the GRE for an official score report to be sent to the university.
  4. International students: Applicants must submit an English Proficiency Score Report.  A TOEFL iBT® score of at least 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper-delivered) or an IELTS™ Academic score of at least 6.5 is required. Our department does not accept other English proficiency examinations.

Attainment of these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Admission decisions are based on assessments of all aspects of the student’s application materials. The department reserves the right to increase standards if warranted by enrollment limitations and by the number and quality of applicants. Financial aid is a separate process from the admission to a graduate program. 

Before you submit your online application and pay the application fee, please carefully review the required documentation on the Application Process tab.  We also recommend that you speak directly with the Sports Sciences Program Director (see Contact tab).

Application Deadlines
Semester Deadline
Fall April 1
Spring October 1
Summer No admission

This program admits in the fall and spring semesters only. All application materials must be received by the deadline posted and only complete applications will be reviewed.

Additionally, admission to the graduate program is term specific. If you decide to apply for a different semester or major, you will need to start a new application. If you are unable to attend the semester for which you were admitted, you will need to reapply for a future term.

How to Apply

You must apply directly to the Sports Sciences major.

All items below must be on file, and the fee paid, before an application is considered complete and ready for review. We encourage you to submit and complete your application early. The graduate admissions committee reviews completed applications throughout the open application period, which allows you to quickly receive an admissions decision.

  1. Apply Online, submit the admissions application and pay the application fee. You must apply directly to Sports Sciences.
  2. Once you have submitted your application:
    • Upload a Statement of Purpose outlining your career goals. We want to know how your background and prior training make you the right candidate and why Florida State University is a good fit for you.
    • Upload a resume or vita (information should be current).
    • Enter contact information for two recommenders. The system will directly contact your recommender and provide them with a link to upload their letter. Letters must be received by the posted deadline. Academic recommendations are preferred, but relevant professional recommendations will be accepted. The recommenders should be professionals you have worked for who are familiar with your academic performance and can speak directly about your qualification for this degree. Please list a work/business email address for each recommender. No personal recommendations or letters from peers will be accepted.
  3. The GRE general test requirement is waived for MS applicants to the Sports Sciences major through the fall 2026 admission cycle. Master’s applicants may choose to submit GRE test scores to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. The school reporting code for test scores is 5219; no department code is required.
  4. Submit transcripts to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. Even if courses are posted to another institution’s transcript, we require transcripts from EVERY post-secondary institution you attended. Please have transcripts sent directly from your institution to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. If you are a domestic student that attended an institution outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide a credential evaluation for that transcript (please see below regarding credentialing).

Send electronic transcripts to: 

graduateadmissions@fsu.edu.

Send paper transcripts to:

Florida State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
222 S. Copeland St., 314 Westcott Bldg.
Tallahassee FL 32306-1410

International Students:

1. Submit an English Proficiency Score Report:

  • TOEFL test scores electronically from ETS.org to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. The university’s reporting code for test scores is 5219; no department code is required.
  • IELTS Academic test scores in physical (paper) form directly from IELTS.org to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions at:

    Florida State University
    Office of Graduate Admissions
    222 S. Copeland St., 314 Westcott Bldg.
    Tallahassee, FL 32306-1410
    USA

2. Florida State University (FSU) requires a course-by-course credential evaluation for all applicants who have taken courses at non-U.S. institutions. International and domestic applicants must submit their official transcripts from international institutions through a NACES-approved evaluator. SpanTran has created a custom application for FSU that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. This link is found in the application checklist. Please also see the "Transcript Requirement" section on the Graduate School website, https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions, for detailed information on university transcript requirements for graduate students.

Please allow the Office of Graduate Admissions time to process your incoming materials.

Course/Degree Requirements

In order to be successful in the major, background knowledge in related sciences should be obtained. Students have the option to take the undergraduate courses prior to the start graduate program or as leveling courses during their graduate program. If electing to take these courses while in the graduate program (leveling courses), it may take additional time to complete the other degree requirements due to sequencing of classes.

Undergraduate courses recommended for the Master’s in Sports Sciences program are:

  • Science of Nutrition or equivalent (B- or better)
  • Anatomy & Physiology I + Lab (C+ or better)
  • Exercise Physiology with Lab, upper-division course (C or better)

Curriculum

Contact(s)

For questions about the application process:

CEHHS Office of Academic Services and Intern Support – HNFS Grad Admissions
HNFS-grad@fsu.edu
850-644-1117