West Texas A&M University: 2001-2002 Academic Year

    The department of sports and exercise graduate program leads to a master of science degree with a major in sports and exercise sciences and a concentration in exercise science. students in the thesis program receive background preparation necessary for doctoral work in exercise science as well as expertise in physiological testing, exercise prescription and research. Graduate of this program have been successful in pursuing advanced degrees in exercise physiology and/or have been placed in careers in corporate fitness/wellness, sport equipment technology, sport performance analyses and branches of sports medicine-related specialties such as nutrition, cardiopulmonary, cardiac rehabilitation and psychology. Program goals are developed in conjunction with knowledge , skills and abilities identified be the American College of Sports Medicine as essential for successful professional preparation.
    Students in the non-thesis program receive background preparation designed to meet the needs of persons interested in professions related to exercise science and are tailored to meet specific needs and interested of the individual graduate student.
    All students are required to take a core curriculum in research and sports and exercise sciences. Students then design a curriculum with their advisor to meet individual interest and needs.

Graduate Advising Requirement
    Students should consult the graduate coordinator for adviser assignment. No later than the end of the first semester of graduate study, students must identify a graduate faculty member who agrees to serve as their graduate advisor. This adviser must be in the student's area of specialization.

Master of Science (M.S.) Degree, Sports and Exercise Sciences (Major Code: 5449 )
    This degree is designed for persons in various fields of exercise and sport sciences who wish to concentrate their graduate work in those areas. Students with the undergraduate degrees in a field other than sports and exercise or a related field may be required to complete leveling courses chosen and approved by the advisor and department head.

General Requirements

Non-thesis, 36-hour program:
    21-36 hours in sports and exercise sciences, up to 15 hours in other areas. SES 5511, 15 hours SES at 5500 level, three hours SES 5300 level or above, six hours SES or other area at 5500 level, nine hours SES or other area at 5300 level or above. Students will be required to pass a written comprehensive examination and an oral comprehensive exam over all graduate course work for the degree.

Thesis, 30-hour program:
    18-30 hours in sports and exercise sciences, up to 12 hours in other areas. SES 5511, 5501, 5502, nine hours SES at 5500 level, three hours SES or other area at 5500 level, nine hours SES or other area at 5300 level or above. No problems courses or recreation internship allowed. Students will be required to pass an oral comprehensive examination of their thesis upon its completion. Also, students will be required to pass a written comprehensive examination and an oral comprehensive exam over all graduate course work for the degree.

Course Descriptions

Sports and Exercise Sciences (SES)
(Numbers in parentheses indicate semester, lecture and lab hours.)
    Students having taken undergraduate "stacked" courses at WTAMU that have a graduate component cannot take the graduate course if they have already received credit for the corresponding undergraduate course.

 5302. Structural Kinesiology. Principles of anatomy and human movement. (3 3 0)

 5341. Physiology of Exercise. Physiological adaptations made by the human body in adjusting to various activities. (3 3 0)

 5412. Advanced Athletic Training. Prerequisite: 302 or 5302. Traumatic injuries as related to sports and physical education activities. Advanced assignments for graduate students. (3 3 0)

 5501. Thesis. (3 0 0)

 5502. Thesis. (3 0 0)

 5510. Philosophy and History. Intensive study of philosophical and historical origins of physical education, including leaders, conditions and forces affecting the profession. (3 3 0)

 5511. Research Techniques. Critical analysis of the types of research with uses and purposes; library techniques; experience in writing, critiquing and solving problems; statistical tools available and uses with computer programs. (3 3 0)

 5515. Curriculum Development in Sports and Exercise Sciences. Curriculum development process in the field of sports and exercise sciences focusing on the domains of health, wellness and physical education and their curricular applications in today's society. (3 3 0)

 5521. Sport Psychology. Intensive study of psychological dimensions of sports and fitness activities. Topics may include motives and constraints; adherence; arousal and performance; stress, distress and health; self-efficacy and self-concept; locus of control; attitude toward physical activity; personality and sport; and aggression and violence in sport. (3 3 0)

 5522. Sport and Society. Sport as a social and cultural phenomenon. Exploration of the discourse of selected issues of socio-cultural aspects of sport and exercise. Topics relate to cultural roles of sport, sport as mediator of change, issues of access and gender, sport as social model, and others. (3 3 0)

 5525. Science and Practice of Strength Training. Intensive study of current literature concerning design and implementation of strength and conditioning programs for persons involved in various sports. Topics include scientific foundations, testing and evaluation, exercise prescription and analyses of advanced exercise techniques. (3 3 0)

 5530. Administration of Sport and Exercise Science, Athletics. Environmental factors which influence resources management of sport and exercise sciences/athletics in public and private sectors. Analysis and application of administrative/leadership theory to strategic planning, organizing, implementing and controlling programs. (3 3 0)

 5532. Scientific Basis of Motor Learning. Psychophysiological study of motor learning and movement behavior. Evolution of theories and approaches utilized in the study of skill learning; examination of factors which facilitate or deter acquisition. (3 3 0)

 5541. Advanced Exercise Physiology. Prerequisite: 341 or equivalent. review of acute and long -term effects of sport and exercise on various physiological systems. (3 2 2 )

 5544. Sport Biomechanics. Mechanical and structural analysis of selected sport skills with focus on achieving maximum performance with reduced incidence or absence of participant injury. (3 3 0)

 5545. Advanced Fitness Concepts. Investigation of structure, purposes and goals of fitness programs. (3 3 0)

 5548. Laboratory Techniques. Introduction to and use of equipment for measurement of physiological response to exercise. (3 3 0)

 5551. Seminar in Sports and Exercise Sciences. Prerequisite: permission of department head. Investigation and discussion of current issues in the fields of exercise and sport sciences including problems and trends within public and private sectors at local, state or national levels. (3 3 0)

 5580. Practicum. Prerequisite: student must submit a formal practicum proposal; permission of department head. Fieldwork consisting of research, leadership and/or management in the sport and exercise domain. Students will be required to accomplish research and/or writing assignments appropriate to the experience. (3 0 0)

 5599. Special Topics. Prerequisite: department head approval. Exploration of an emerging, unique or special topic in sports and exercise sciences. (3 3 0)

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