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Department Chairperson:
Jorunn Gran-Henriksen, Associate Professor
Email: granhej@plattsburgh.edu
Graduate Program Coordinator:
Kenneth Baldwin, 518-564-3149
Email: kbald001@plattsburgh.edu
Memorial Hall, Room 301B
The Program
The Masters of Science in Fitness and Wellness Leadership is an integration of online course offerings from SUNY Plattsburgh’s Department of Sports and Wellness, created with input from industry professionals, internship affiliates, and national organizations. The online degree program provides opportunities to those seeking to start a career in the emerging fitness/health/wellness industry and those actively involved in that industry who seek an advanced degree. The Master’s degree program includes essential coursework in the areas of exercise science (biomechanics, physiology, exercise program design), resistance/strength training, certification preparation, and fitness management/business concepts (accounting, marketing, and management), synthesized into a logical, progressive learning sequence.
This graduate program specifically addresses the needs of the public and employers by combining the fundamentals of exercise science with components of a business curriculum to prepare students for careers as personal trainers, sports performance instructors, directors, general managers, owners, or fitness consultants. The degree is delivered fully online, which addresses the challenge of working professionals and other students who have limited time to attend courses at a traditional campus. The program does not require on-site attendance, allowing students to live anywhere while completing the degree. Students have the option of completing an internship via our Online Field Internship course that allows students to work with faculty on selecting a site that matches the students’ area of focus, close to the students’ home and/or city of interest.
Graduates may work in organizations that include medically-based fitness facilities, gyms/health clubs, personal training studios, physical therapy clinics, corporate fitness centers, senior centers, sports performance facilities, college/university recreational centers, and YMCAs. The program combines a theoretical framework with training skills that are necessary to prepare students for certification by national organizations such as ACSM, NSCA, and others.
Admission
The application process is flexible, allowing for rolling or open admissions throughout the year. Students should begin the application process at least three weeks prior to the semester they would like to begin.
Applicants will be considered for admission based on the following criteria:
- Submission of a completed Application for Graduate Study
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Candidates with a GPA below the required minimum 2.50 GPA will be considered if they submit two professional letters of recommendation indicating the applicant’s ability to pursue graduate study.
- Submission of official transcripts from undergraduate degree programs attended.
- Completion of a statement of purpose and a resume.
- Participation in an interview via phone/SKYPE for acceptance into the program.
- Availability of program openings.
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