The mission of the graduate Exercise Physiology program at Florida State University is to provide advanced training to students in the fields of both basic and applied physiology. We prepare students to generate and apply research-based knowledge and provide public service in exercise, health, and human performance. Resources for the Exercise Physiology program include applied electrophysiology physiology laboratories, cardiovascular laboratories, skeletal muscle laboratories, and the Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine (ISSM). Individually and collectively, the resources enable the rigorous study of human performance, exercise metabolism, sports nutrition, cardiovascular, and muscle physiology at the cellular and molecular levels in humans and animals. The laboratories contain necessary equipment for biochemical and both in vivo and in vitro cellular/molecular analyses. The Exercise Physiology laboratories have an environmental chamber, a BodPod®, and a micro-computed tomography 3D scanner (micro-CT). The laboratories also have DEXA units, Biodex™ dynamometers, electrocardiography machines, metabolic carts, and fluorescent microscopes.
M.S. in Exercise Physiology
Today’s interest in healthy lifestyles is translating into a remarkable range of career opportunities related to diet, fitness, and health.
Our exercise physiology programs are cutting-edge and fully prepare students to pursue a wide variety of health-related careers. We offer courses that provide a firm foundation in essential scientific methods, technical knowledge, and practical skills.
It’s our mission to increase conducted research; teach students to investigate, apply, and contribute knowledge; and to benefit the community through work in exercise and human performance.
Research Focus Tracks
All admitted M.S. students are assigned to the non-thesis track. To apply for the thesis track, students must be in good academic standing after the first semester and have the support of graduate faculty.
For exemplary master’s students, a bypass to the Ph.D. degree may be possible after the first year. Among other things, the decision is based on the student’s academic performance during the first year of study. A GRE score will be required for students applying to the doctoral program via bypass.
If you meet the below requirements, we encourage you to apply to the program.
- An upper-division undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The same scale applies for graduate-level work.
- A bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, or post-baccalaureate professional degree, from an accredited university. Questions about degree equivalency should be directed to graduateadmissions@fsu.edu.
- The GRE general test requirement is waived for MS applicants to our college programs through the fall 2026 admission cycle. Master’s applicants may choose to take the Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE) and submit scores. We recommend a score of above the 50th percentile (approximately 150) in both verbal and quantitative sections with a 4.0 or higher on the writing section. Please note that it can take up to ten (10) days after sitting for the GRE for an official score report to be sent to the university.
- International students: Applicants must submit an English Proficiency Score Report. A TOEFL iBT® score of at least 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper-delivered) or an IELTS™ Academic score of at least 6.5 is required. The department recommends 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based) TOEFL for a competitive application to the doctoral program. Our department does not accept other English proficiency examinations.
- A visit to the department is strongly encouraged. Please contact the HNFS Graduate Admissions Representative to schedule your visit. Also, applicants should directly contact the graduate faculty member(s) in their specific area of interest to see if he/she is accepting new students.
Attainment of these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Admissions decisions are based on assessments of all aspects of the student’s application materials. The department reserves the right to increase standards if warranted by enrollment limitations and by the number and quality of applicants. Financial aid is a separate process from the admission to a graduate program.
Before you submit your online application and pay the application fee, please carefully review the required documentation on the Application Process tab.
| Semester | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | April 1 |
| Spring | October 1 |
| Summer | No admission |
This program admits in the fall and spring semesters only. All application materials must be received by the deadline posted and only complete applications will be reviewed.
Additionally, admission to the graduate program is term specific. If you decide to apply for a different semester or major, you will need to start a new application. If you are unable to attend the semester for which you were admitted, you will need to reapply for a future term.
All items below must be on file, and the fee paid, before an application is considered complete and ready for review. We encourage you to submit and complete your application early. The graduate admissions committee reviews completed applications throughout the open application period, which allows you to more quickly receive an admissions decision.
1. Apply Online, submit the admissions application and pay the application fee.
2. Once you have submitted your application:
- Upload a Statement of Purpose outlining your career goals. We want to know how your background and prior training make you the right candidate and why Florida State University is a good fit for you. If interested in research, we strongly encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with the research interests of the HNFS faculty
- Upload a resume or vita (information should be current).
- Submit contact information for two recommenders. The system will directly contact your recommender and provide them with a link to upload their letter. Please list a work/business email address for each recommender. Academic recommendations are preferred, but relevant professional recommendations will be accepted. The recommenders should be professionals you have worked for who are familiar with your academic performance and can speak directly about your qualification for this degree. No personal recommendations or letters from peers will be accepted as satisfying the minimum of two required recommenders.
3. The GRE general test requirement is waived for MS applicants to the Exercise Physiology major through the fall 2026 admission cycle. Master’s applicants may choose to submit GRE test scores to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. The school reporting code for test scores is 5219; no department code is required.
4. Submit transcripts to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. Even if courses are posted to another institution’s transcript, we require transcripts from EVERY post-secondary institution you attended. Please have transcripts sent directly from your institution to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. If you are a domestic student that attended an institution outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide a credential evaluation for that transcript (please see below regarding credentialing). Send electronic transcripts to: graduateadmissions@fsu.edu
Send paper transcripts to:
Florida State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
222 S. Copeland St., 314 Westcott Bldg.
Tallahassee FL 32306-1410
USA
International Students:
1. Submit an English Proficiency Score Report:
- TOEFL test scores electronically from ETS.org to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. The university’s reporting code for test scores is 5219; no department code is required.
- IELTS Academic test scores in physical (paper) form directly from IELTS.org to:
Florida State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
222 S Copeland St., 314 Westcott Bldg.
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1410
USA
2. Florida State University (FSU) requires a course-by-course credential evaluation for all applicants who have taken courses at non-U.S. institutions. International and domestic applicants must submit their official transcripts from international institutions through a NACES-approved evaluator. SpanTran has created a custom application for FSU that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. This link is found in the application checklist. Please also see the "Transcript Requirement" section on the Graduate School website, https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions, for detailed information on university transcript requirements for graduate students.
Please allow the Office of Graduate Admissions time to process your incoming materials.
In order to be successful in the major, background knowledge in related sciences should be obtained. Students have the option to take the undergraduate courses prior to the start graduate program or as leveling courses during their graduate program. If electing to take these courses while in the graduate program (leveling courses), it may take additional time to complete the other degree requirements due to sequencing of classes.
Undergraduate courses recommended for the Master’s in Exercise Physiology program are:
- Science of Nutrition (B minus or better)
- Chemistry I + Lab (C or better)
- Anatomy & Physiology I + Lab (C+ or better)
- Exercise Physiology with Lab, upper-division course (C or better)
For questions about the application process:
CEHHS Office of Academic Services and Intern Support – HNFS Grad Admissions
HNFS-grad@fsu.edu
850-644-1117
Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology
The doctoral program in Exercise Physiology prepares students for careers in academia and professions which enhance physical well-being, health, and human performance.
It provides a firm foundation in essential scientific knowledge, technical know-how, and practical skills through teaching, research, publication, and service. Current research includes cardiovascular, neuromuscular, metabolic, hormonal, and body composition/functionality responses to acute and chronic physical activity (exercise) in association with various factors such as nutrients, environmental stress, and chronic diseases by utilizing both human and animal models.
- An upper-division undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The same scale applies for graduate-level work. A professional degree is not counted for university GPA requirements.
- A master’s degree or post-baccalaureate professional degree from an accredited university.
- A competitive Graduate Record Examination revised General Test (GRE) score; recommended score of above the 50th percentile (approximately 150) in both verbal and quantitative sections with a 4.0 or higher on the writing section. Please note that it can take up to ten (10) days after sitting for the GRE for an official score report to be sent to the university
- International students: Applicants must submit an official English Proficiency Score Report. A TOEFL iBT® score of at least 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper-delivered) or an IELTSTM Academic score of at least 6.5 is required. The department recommends 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based) TOEFL for a competitive application to the doctoral program. Our department does not accept other English proficiency examinations.
- A visit to the department is strongly encouraged. Please contact the College’s graduate office to schedule your visit. Before you submit your online application and pay the application fee, you should directly contact graduate faculty members in your area of interest to see if they have room in their labs and are available to mentor you.
Attainment of these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Admission decisions are based on assessments of all aspects of the student’s application materials. The department reserves the right to increase standards if warranted by enrollment limitations and by the number and quality of applicants. Financial aid is a separate process from the admission to a graduate program.
| Admission Semester | Regular Deadline | Deadline for graduate teaching assistantship eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | April 1 | February 1 |
| Spring | October 1 | July 1 |
| Summer | No admission | No admission |
This program admits in the fall and spring semesters only. All application materials must be received by the deadline posted and only complete applications will be reviewed.
Additionally, admission to the graduate program is term specific. If you decide to apply for a different semester or major, you will need to start a new application. If you are unable to attend the semester for which you were admitted, you will need to reapply for a future term.
In order to apply for a graduate teaching assistantship (TA), you must be a current doctoral student or have been formally admitted to the program.
Please see the TA application button in the finances tab on our Graduate Resources page.
All items below must be on file, and the fee paid, before an application is considered complete and ready for review. We encourage you to submit and complete your application early. The graduate admissions committee reviews completed applications throughout the open application period, which allows you to quickly receive an admissions decision.
- Apply Online, submit the admissions application and pay the application fee.
- Once you have submitted your application:
- Complete the Faculty Preference list – in order of preference, select three faculty members you would like to work with throughout your graduate program.
- Upload a Statement of Purpose outlining your research interests and career goals. We want to know how your background and prior training make you the right candidate and why Florida State University is a good fit for you. Please indicate up to three FSU faculty members with whom you would like to work and why. We strongly encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with the research interests of the NIP faculty.
- Upload a resume or vita (information should be current).
- Submit contact information for three recommenders. The recommenders should be professionals you have worked with who are familiar with your academic performance and can speak directly about your qualification for this degree. Academic recommendations are preferred, but relevant professional recommendations will be accepted. Please list a work/business email address for each recommender. No personal recommendations or letters from peers will be accepted.
- Submit official GRE scores to the FSU Office of Admissions. The school reporting code for test scores is 5219; no department code is required.
- International Students: Submit an official English Proficiency Score Report:
- TOEFL test scores electronically from ETS.org to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. The university’s reporting code for test scores is 5219; no department code is required.
- IELTS Academic test scores in physical (paper) form directly from IELTS.org to:
Florida State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
222 S Copeland St / Westcott Bldg
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1410
USA - Submit official transcripts (with translations if necessary) to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. We require transcripts from EVERY post-secondary institution you attended (even if those courses are posted to another institution’s transcript). Transcripts the applicant uploads to the application are considered unofficial. Please have official transcript sent directly from your institution to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions.
Special Notice: For Fall 2023, Florida State University is requiring applicants from Nigeria and Ghana to obtain a World Education Service (WES) credential evaluation. This evaluation of official transcript(s) will then be directly sent to FSU.
Send Electronic transcripts to: graduateadmissions@fsu.edu
Send Paper transcripts to:
Florida State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
222 S. Copeland St. / 314 Westcott Bldg
Tallahassee FL 32306-1410
USA
Please allow a minimum of ten (10) business days for the Office of Graduate Admissions to process your incoming materials.
A related degree is required and the completion of core coursework for the associated master’s degree program offered at FSU (or the equivalent) is highly recommended.
For questions about the application process:
CEHHS Office of Academic Services and Intern Support – HNFS Grad Admissions
HNFS-grad@fsu.edu
850-644-1117
