kinesiology student monitoring oxygen levels

Master of Professional Studies in Kinesiology (MPS)

Program Overview
Admission Requirements
Courses
Tuition & Aid

Advance your career in the dynamic field of sport and exercise science with Lipscomb University’s 100% online, asynchronous Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Kinesiology. Built for working professionals and those passionate about preventative health, the 36-credit-hour program develops advanced expertise in strength and conditioning, exercise physiology and sport nutrition. Study part-time or full-time, at a pace that fits your life.

No exercise science background? No problem. Only 12 hours of undergraduate science coursework are required for admission, making the program accessible to students from a wide range of academic backgrounds.

Why Earn a Master's in Kinesiology?

The health and human performance industry is growing across every path. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of fitness trainters and instructors to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034 and exercise physiologists to grow 9% over the same period—both much faster than the average for all occupations—as healthcare, athletics and wellness organizations put preventative health at the center of what they do.

A master’s degree positions you for leadership in these growing fields. With Lipscomb's online master's in kinesiology, you will:

Graduate fluent in three disciplines, not one. Gain working knowledge across the full spectrum of human performance, giving you a broader perspective and skill set that sets you apart.
Prepare for the industry's leading certifications from NSCA, ACSM and ISSN—the credentials employers look for in training, wellness and rehabilitation roles.
Earn your degree without pausing your career. Every course is online and asynchrohous, so you can keep working and apply what you learn immediately.

Three Specializations. One Degree.

The core of the program consists of 18 hours of advanced coursework in three highly sought-after areas: Exercise Physiology, Strength and Conditioning and Exercise and Sport Nutrition. Human performance doesn’t happen in silos, and your expertise shouldn’t either. You’ll graduate with advanced knowledge in all three disciplines that shape how the body adapts, performs and recovers.

Preparation for NSCA, ACSM and ISSN Examinations

The master's in kinesiology is strategically aligned to support your preparation for industry-leading certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the International Society of Sport Nutrition (ISSN), preparing you for a multitude of diverse careers in the growing health and human performance industry.

Careers in Health and Human Performance

Graduates of the MPS in Kinesiology are prepared for a wide range of roles, including:

Exercise physiologists
Strength and conditioning coaches
Sport nutritionists
Wellness specialists
Trainers across diverse settings: athletic performance, clinical rehabilitation centers, corporate wellness programs and private practice

Who Should Consider a Master’s in Kinesiology?

Our program is intentionally designed for multiple audiences with specific goals and expertise, offering a flexible online pathway that allows working professionals to continue their careers while earning their master's degree.

Practitioners ready to advance. If you hold an undergraduate degree in kinesiology, exercise science, athletic training or a related health field, this program builds on your foundation with advanced expertise to expand your career opportunities.
Career changers answering a calling. If you are moving into health and human performance from another field, the program will give you a broad foundation of knowledge to follow your calling to help individuals live healthier lives—and requires only 12 hours of prior science coursework, not a degree in exercise science.
Tactical and emergency professionals. Whether you are in law enforcement seeking to optimize physical readiness or an EMT looking to deepen your understanding of human performance, our curriculum translates high-level science into the real-world expertise needed on the front lines.

Not Ready for a Full Master’s? Start With a Certificate.

You don’t have to commit to the full degree on day one. The MPS in Kinesiology is built on a stackable certificate model, allowing you to begin with one of three fully online, 12-credit-hour graduate certificates and apply every credit toward the master’s later:

Exercise Physiology Graduate Certificate: aligned with ACSM certification preparation
Strength and Conditioning Graduate Certificate: aligned with NSCA certification preparation
Sport and Exercise Nutrition Graduate Certificate: aligned with ISSN certification preparation

Each certificate stands on its own for professional certification preparation or continuing education, while giving you a pathway to keep going. Start with the certificate that fits your goals now, then stack your credits toward the full master’s degree when you’re ready.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor's degree, including 12 or more credit hours from any undergraduate science course.
Official Transcript(s): You must submit an official, final transcript from every post-secondary institution you have attended. Official transcripts are accepted electronically or by paper copy. Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the initial admission review.
Undergraduate GPA: 2.75 cumulative grade point average on all undergraduate work. A higher science GPA is desirable.
Résumé: A résumé detailing the applicant’s work and academic experience.
References: Three recommendations, including at least one academic and one professional reference.
Essay: An essay (no more than 750 words) including reflections on 1) personal philosophy of exercise/human performance, 2) career aspirations and 3) purpose, passion, faith, etc.
Interview: Finalists will complete an in-person (or virtual, as needed) interview before the final admission decision.

Courses

The MPS in Kinesiology is built on a stackable three-certificate model. Students enrolled in this program will take the following courses to earn 36 credit hours: two required courses from each of the three certifications, four elective courses of choice and two capstone courses. While our primarily on-ground Exercise and Human Performance program focuses on traditional research, this 100% online curriculum is designed for the application of skills in professional practice.

Core

KIN 5203 Advanced Exercise Physiology I
KIN 5223 Advanced Exercise Physiology II: Adaptations to Exercise
KIN 6603 Advanced Strength & Conditioning Methods I
KIN 6613 Advanced Strength & Conditioning Methods II
KIN 6303 Advanced Exercise & Sport Nutrition I
KIN 6313 Advanced Exercise & Sport Nutrition II: Supplementation

Choose Four

KIN 6213 Advanced Exercise Physiology III: Laboratory Techniques
KIN 6263 Exercise Evaluation & Prescription for Special Populations
KIN 6243 Electrocardiography
KIN 6503 Behavior Change I: Exercise
KIN 5103 Research Methods I: Biostatistics

Capstone

KIN 6953 Portfolio I
KIN 6963 Portfolio II

Tuition & Aid

Tuition is $700 per credit hour.*

*Note: The graduate tuition rates may increase annually, effective each summer semester.

For information on payment options, types of aid and additional resources, please visit the Graduate Financial Aid Page.

Types of Aid

Student Loans

As a graduate student, you are still able to file the FAFSA—and you should! By filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you may be eligible for a number of student loans.

Federal Stafford Loan

A borrower must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment for at least six semester hours and must be working toward a degree or certificate. Loans must be actively accepted in myLipscomb in order to be applied as an expected payment to the student bill. Stafford Loans will not pay until the student has completed both Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note at studentloans.gov. Loans will not be credited to accounts until 30 days after classes begin or when a student begins the sixth credit hour, whichever comes last.

Private Loans

In addition to the federal loans outlined here, you may consider private loans made by banks and other financial institutions. It is recommended that private loans only be considered in instances where funding is needed in addition to any federal loans, as interest rates may be higher. Eligibility for these loans requires a credit check and students are often required to have a cosigner to qualify.

Veteran Aid: Yellow Ribbon Program

Through an agreement with the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Lipscomb University will guarantee some level of graduate tuition funding, applicable to all Lipscomb University graduate programs, for graduate students who qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Depending on program tuition rates, the graduate tuition funding may or may not cover the total tuition cost of the program.

The Yellow Ribbon Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post- 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses. View eligibility requirements.

Any questions concerning eligibility or benefits should be directed to the VA school-certifying official located in the lower level of Bennett Campus Center, Suite 140, or visit their website.

Contact Information

Kinesiology

Laurel Littlefield
Professor
(615) 966-5602
laurel.littlefield@lipscomb.edu

Program Highlights

Diversify Your Knowledge

Our curriculum is strategically mapped to support your career goals for professional certifications from NSCA, ACSM and ISSN. Gain integrated, advanced mastery across three core domains: exercise physiology, strength and conditioning and sport nutrition.

Flexible Learning

Coursework in this program is 100% online in an asynchronous format. This means you can complete each course on your own time in accordance with what works best for your schedule, maintaining optimal work/life balance.

Small Class Sizes

You’ll have opportunities to engage with faculty in small classes, receiving one-on-one mentorship, even through an online asynchronous format. Our tight-knit learning community supports problem-solving, difficult questions and academic growth for long-term career success.

Our Faculty

Laurel Littlefield

Professor

Laurel and her husband Brad are originally from West Texas, and moved to Nashville with their three sons in 2018. Laurel and Brad met while attending Lubbock Christian University (LCU)...
Meet Laurel Littlefield
Zachary Forest Droll

Adjunct Faculty

Zach is from Peru, Indiana. He has a wife of six years and is a new father to his first daughter. He met his wife of six years at Huntington...
Meet Zachary Forest Droll
Matthew Ruiz

Department Chair - Kinesiology

Professional expertise in sport, exercise and performance psychology.
Meet Matthew Ruiz