Master of Science Program
Preamble to Masters Program
Thank you for your interest in our masters program in Exercise Physiology. Our MS program in Exercise Physiology at West Virginia University School of Medicine is currently ranked 7th nationally. This is a two-year program. We have a clinical track and thesis track. Clinical track students take course work, obtain experience in various medical settings (e.g., heart cath lab etc.), and work with populations with varied health problems (heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, arthritis etc.). The thesis track is also a two-year program and it is designed for students who wish to engage in an intensive research training experience, in preparation for further training in a Ph.D., or MD or similar postgraduate program. Typically, we will accept up to 15 students in the clinical track at five students in the thesis track each year. Approximately 50% of the students we accept will be offered an assistantship (stipend and tuition fee waiver). Selections for assistantships are competitive and are based upon experience as well as academic qualifications and letters of recommendation.
How to Apply to the MS Graduate Program in Exercise Physiology
Applications for the Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology program are due by
January 15, each year.
Please review, complete the information, and apply online.
We select up to fifteen students each spring for admittance into the Master of Science Program. The application and the three recommendation/evaluation sheets are due by January 15. At that time, the Exercise Physiology Admissions Committee will review all applicants and select up to 15 students to interview for the clinical track and 4-5 students to interview for the thesis track. The selection is based on overall grade point average, science grade point average, and recommendations. The thesis track selections will also depend on the availability of faculty mentors. The GRE examination is also required as part of the application process. Letters to all applicants will be mailed out during the month of April (or before if available). The Committee will select alternates who will be given a rank indicating the order of admittance. It is very likely that several of the alternates will be accepted into the program. As each position comes available, we will notify the next alternate in line to determine if they would like to accept a position. Many times, we have sent acceptance letters to alternates as late as August.
Click here for the GRE (required) and TOEFL (for international applications)
An official record of GRE general examination (the WVU Institution Code for the GRE is R5904) must be submitted. A minimum GRE score (verbal + quantitative) of 1000 or greater is recommended for applicants who took the GRE® General Test prior to August 1, 2011. Although still in flux, a score of 300 (verbal + quantitative) is currently recommended for the GRE® revised General Test that was taken on or after August 1, 2011. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater is recommended.
Click here for the Admission Process
One official transcript from each college attended is needed in the application.
The recommendation/evaluation sheets and assistantship applications are to be mailed directly to this office. You may obtain more than three recommendations if you wish. That address has been printed at the bottom of the sheets. It is in your best interest to follow up on your recommendations. Please check with your references and make certain they have been mailed out on time. Also, include a statement of your goals in obtaining the MS in Exercise Physiology with your application. You must send all transcripts of undergraduate and/or graduate coursework to the Admission and Records office. The Admissions and Records office will only accept originals with school seals (or on official forms). If you are a WVU undergraduate/graduate student, those transcripts will be sent automatically. Students with coursework from other schools must have those transcripts sent.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact our office at (304) 293-7767.