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Exercise and Wellness (Healthy Aging), MS

Exercise and Wellness (Healthy Aging), MS

- INACTIVE

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Exercise and Wellness (Healthy Aging), MS

Exercise and Wellness, Geriatric, Healthy Aging, Nutrition, Older Adults, aging

ASU is no longer accepting new students to this program. Please explore Degree Search for other similar program options.


You can be well prepared to aid Arizona's elderly population, estimated to become 24 percent of the state's population by 2020. There is an urgent need to train personnel to apply exercise programs with a goal of maintaining the strength, power and balance necessary for health and independent living.

Program description
Degree awarded: MS  Exercise and Wellness (Healthy Aging)

The MS program in exercise and wellness with a concentration in healthy aging prepares the graduate student in the delivery of physical activity programs to older adults.

Program content includes the theories of aging; the impact of aging on functional capacity and motor abilities; the role of lifestyle behaviors in aging, physical activity assessment and programming for older adults; physical activity and nutritional influences on healthful aging; and the relationship of exercise and chronic disease.

At a glance
Degree requirements

36 credit hours and a thesis, or
36 credit hours and a written comprehensive exam, or
36 credit hours including a capstone course (EXW 597)

Required Core (9 credit hours)
EXW 501 Research Statistics (3)
EXW 536 Physiological Aspects of Physical Activity and Chronic Disease (3)
EXW 542 Health Promotion (3)

Concentration (15 credit hours)
EXW 535 Advanced Exercise Assessment and Prescription (3)
EXW 540 Mindfulness, Stress and Health (3)
EXW 568 Management and Treatment of Chronic Disease for the Clinical Exercise Physiologist (3)
KIN 523 Motor Control and Aging (3) OR EXW 635 Physical Activity and Aging (3)
NTR 551 Geriatric Nutrition (3)

Research (6 credit hours)
EXW 500 Research Methods (3)
EXW 591 Seminar (2)
EXW 592 Research (1)

Other Requirement (6)
EXW 584 Internship (6)

Culminating Experience (0 or 6 credit hours)
EXW 597 Capstone Project (6) OR
EXW 599 Thesis (6) OR
written comprehensive exam (0)

Additional Curriculum Information
EXW 584 Internship is only taken by students who select the written comprehensive exam culminating experience option.

Admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Health Solutions.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. GRE scores
  4. statement of career or research interests
  5. three professional letters of recommendation
  6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
Applicants are expected to have the coursework and undergraduate credit for the basic courses required for a BS degree in exercise and wellness. Students who do not have these course competencies can be admitted with deficiencies. Deficiencies are determined upon admission, and these courses must be completed, usually by the end of the first year of study. These courses are not considered part of the graduate plan of study. A graduate course may be substituted for a deficiency but is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The following courses must be completed prior to or during the master's degree as deficiencies. The corresponding ASU course can be found in parentheses:

Human Anatomy and Laboratory (BIO 201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I)
Human Physiology and Laboratory (BIO 202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II)
Human Nutrition (NTR 241 Human Nutrition)
Exercise Physiology and Laboratory (EXW 315 Physiological Foundations of Movement)
Kinesiology and Laboratory (EXW 330 Kinesiological Foundations of Movement)
Exercise Testing and Laboratory (EXW 420 Exercise Testing)
Exercise Prescription (EXW 425 Exercise Prescription)

An undergraduate course in statistics is strongly recommended.

An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must submit a proof of English proficiency via a TOEFL score unless they meet the requirements for an exception.

Students should see the program website for application deadlines.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Application deadlines
SessionModalityDeadlineType
Session A/CIn Person Rolling
Contact information

College of Health Solutions | HLTHN 401AA
CHSGrad@asu.edu
602-496-3300

What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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