Ripon College to offer first master’s degree, in exercise science
Ripon College will launch its first master’s degree program, in exercise science, in the summer of 2024. “We will begin offering courses for the 15-month […]
Our Exercise Science graduate program offers everything you need to move forward in your field with confidence. Here’s what you’ll find: Career-launching connections. Hands-on research with world-class professors. Unique internships refining your skills. We’ll help you maximize the experiences that matter most to your success.
Achieve More
1:1
FACULTY ADVISING
20+
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
12-15
MONTH COMPLETION
Create a Career with Endurance
Choose from one of our three program tracks: Exercise Physiology, Sport Psychology and Sport Management.
Elevate Your Skills
Our program empowers you to learn by doing, giving you real-world experience through internships, clinical placements, independent research and more. Whether you’re leading the way as a 1:1 personal trainer at Willmore Center or taking your expertise into the community as a group exercise leader, you’ll have limitless opportunities to elevate your skills.
Elevate Your Career
We’re frontrunners at Ripon College, and you will be, too. Our top-tier faculty will collaborate with you on the licensure preparation and connection-building that equip you to lead. Employment opportunities in exercise science are projected to rise at an accelerated rate in the coming decades.* We’ll work together to ensure you’re ready to make your mark in the market.
*Employment opportunities in exercise science are expected to rise at a faster-than average rate of 8 to 21 percent in the coming decades (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).
Elevate Your Impact
Exercise science professionals play a crucial role in promoting and improving the health of their communities. Your work will help people adopt and maintain active lifestyles, prevent and manage chronic diseases and increase the longevity of their lives. You’ll contribute to a healthier and happier society – all while improving your own quality of life.
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Faculty
Gain the high-demand skills and the freedom to make your mark through Ripon College’s new graduate program. Our industry-leading faculty will be alongside you for every step, providing you with unmatched, real-world experiences in your field.
Each of the tenure-track faculty within each specialization brings their tier 1 research experience to Ripon College. Students should expect rigorous research agendas, publications in top academic journals, and conference presentations at regional, national, and international conferences.
Busalacchi, Lauren
Adjunct Instructor of Exercise Science, Head Coach of Women's Basketball
Followay, Brittany
Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, Chair of Exercise Science, Graduate Program Director
Wammer, Steve
Adjunct Instructor of Exercise Science, Associate Athletic Director, Head Softball Coach
Advising
Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.
As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers.
Advising at RiponRequirements
| Program Overview |
|---|
| Minimum of 33 credits at the graduate level are required for graduation, with at least 24 credits taken at Ripon College. |
| Course Overview | |
|---|---|
| Core courses: 12 credits | 630 Research Methods (3 cr) 632 Measurement and Statistical Analysis (3 cr) 634 Ethical Issues in Health and Sport (3 cr) 636 Topics in the Exercise Sciences (3 cr) OR elective |
| Specialization courses: 15+ credits within one of the listed specialization tracks | |
|
Exercise Physiology |
600 Advanced Exercise Physiology (3 cr) 602 Exercise Testing and Prescription (3 cr) 604 Physiology of Aging (3 cr) 606 Sports Nutrition (3 cr) 608 Prevention and Rehabilitation of Cardiovascular Disease (3 cr) Pathophysiology of Disease (3 cr) |
|
Sport Management |
620 Organizational Theory and Governance in Sport (3 cr) 622 Legal Issues in Sport (3 cr) 624 Financial Issues in Sport (3 cr) 626 Sport Facility and Event Management (3 cr) 628 Sport Marketing and Promotions (3 cr) 629 Public and Media Relations in Sport (3 cr) |
|
Sport Psychology |
650 Advanced Sport Psychology (3 cr) 652 Exercise Psychology (3 cr) 654 Performance Enhancement (3 cr) 656 Psychology of Injury and Rehabilitation (3 cr) 658 Social Psychology of Sport and Exercise (3 cr) 660 Counseling, Mental Health and Referrals (3 cr) |
| Capstone: 6 credits | |
|
Thesis Option |
694 Thesis I (3 cr) 695 Thesis II (3 cr) |
|
Non-Thesis Option |
690 Comprehensive Exam (3 cr) One additional specialization or elective course (3 cr) |
|
Non-Thesis Option |
699 Graduate Internship (6 cr, based on availability and approval from advisor) |
Career Tracks
Exercise Physiology
The exercise physiology graduate program provides students with the specialized skills needed to work in either a clinical, research or field-based environment. The coursework is designed to prepare students for a variety of professional venues; clinical physiologists who facilitate medically supervised exercise programs for people with chronic diseases; strength and conditioning specialists who work with professional, collegiate and secondary school athletes for performance enhancement; and health and fitness practitioners who work in environments such as fitness facilities and community centers and organizations.
Careers: Exercise physiologist, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, wellness coordinator, athletic coordinator, recreation leader, wellness consultant, exercise testing and prescription, clinical research assistant, strength and conditioning coach, coaching, medical sales, pharmaceutical sales
Sport Management
The future of sport management is promising, and the demand for professionals with specialized training in sport management is projected to significantly escalate as the sports industry continues to burgeon and become highly specialized. The curriculum of a typical sport management program encompasses various topics, including sports marketing, event management, sports law, finance, and athlete management. Students are exposed to a wide array of theoretical and practical concepts that provide a solid foundation for comprehending the distinctive aspects of the sports industry. This knowledge can be applied to various career trajectories.
Careers: Athletic director, sports agent, sports account manager, sports marketing professional, game or event coordinator, sports scout, contract administrator, contract analyst, facility operations manager, marketing consultant, marketing coordinator, sales coordinator, public relations manager, sports data analyst
Sport Psychology
The sport psychology program prepares students with an essential understanding of sport performance and ethical practice to work in a wide range of sport-related fields, such as coaching, mental conditioning, sport practitioners, and sports administrators. The coursework is designed to develop individuals in the sport, health and fitness, performing arts, and mental health fields who want to improve the performance and lives of the people with whom they work. Our program focuses on the psychological factors that influence human performance while practicing assessment and intervention strategies that enhance an individual’s performance and personal growth.
Careers: Mental performance consultant, sport psychology educator, sport research, academic sports advisor, team dynamics counselor
Unique Opportunities
Graduate Assistantships
- Available to students enrolled in the Master of Exercise Science program to provide financial assistance and professional growth opportunities in the fields of research and athletics.
- Research graduate assistants: Assist faculty with research projects, in-class discussions and laboratory sections.
- Athletic graduate assistants: Assist with coaching, recruitment of student-athletes and other duties as assigned by the head coach or director of athletics.
Internships
- Students will have the opportunity to intern in a variety of settings, including clinical physiology, coaching, strength and conditioning, mental performance, and sports marketing, management and sales.
Research Opportunities
- Graduate students will work alongside their peers and faculty advisors conducting research throughout their time at Ripon.
- Recent students have presented at the American College of Sports Medicine conference, the Midwest Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium at Ball State and conferences for the National Strength and Conditioning Association.