Health and Human Performance, M.S.

Master of Science Degree

The Master of Science in Health and Human Performance is a full-time, residential program which follows a 14-month (36 credits), sequenced curriculum focused on improving access to and quality of health services provided to clients. This program is designed for students who wish to explore the interaction between sociocultural variables, resource availability, and programming strategies that promote health and wellness. Throughout their coursework, students will assess population needs and use targeted behavior coaching and health education principles to address chronic and acute conditions, enhance team and individual physical performance, and promote a healthy lifestyle. All students complete both a culminating thesis project on a professionally-relevant topic and a 2 credit hour (minimum) internship with a community partner. Upon program completion, students will be prepared to take the CHES (certified health education specialist) and CSCS (certified strength and condition specialist) exams. The M.S. in Health and Human Performance is appropriate for students from a variety of majors including, but not limited to: exercise science, athletic training, community and commercial recreation, community health or health promotion, applied health science, physical education, and sport administration.

Admission Criteria

Acceptance into the Health and Human Performance Program is open to all students who meet the following criteria:

Admission to Piedmont College
Declare Health and Human Performance as a major
"C" or better on all required prerequisite coursework
Completed application, cover letter, and professional resume (due January 15th; rolling admission afterwards until the cohort is full)
Copy of unofficial transcripts (final official transcripts must be submitted before classes begin)
Copy of immunization records, including Tdap, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B and a TB skin test (within 12 months)
Overall cumulative minimum GPA of 2.80
Two letters of recommendation (if already enrolled at Piedmont, one must be from a faculty or staff member)
Successful background check and drug screen (must be completed prior to participating in the Internship)

Prerequisite Courses:

Prospective students must have completed, or be currently enrolled in, the following prerequisite courses when applying to the Health and Human Performance program (only grades of “C” or better will be accepted):

Anatomy and Physiology (two course sequence; 6-8cr)
Kinesiology or Biomechanics (3-4cr)
Basic Nutrition or Sport Nutrition (3cr)
Fitness assessment, exercise prescription, strength and conditioning, or similar (3cr)
General psychology, anthropology, or sociology (3cr)
Introduction to health science, exercise science, athletic training, physical education, or similar (3cr)
Statistical methods or biostatistics (3cr)
Health Promotion or similar (3cr)

Recommended Courses:

The following courses are recommended, but not required for program admission:

Introduction to health science, exercise science, athletic training, physical education, or similar (3cr)
Exercise physiology (3-4cr)
Health Policy and Law or similar (3cr)
Developmental or abnormal psychology (3cr)
Sport Psychology (3cr)

Provisional Admission and Transfer Policy:

Prospective students must have completed, or be currently enrolled in, the prerequisite courses listed above when applying to the Health and Human Performance program (only grades of “C” or better will be accepted). In addition to the Admission Criteria above, these students must also submit the following:

An application for admission with the required essay
Official transcripts from each college, university, or technical school attended. Transfer applicants must present a satisfactory academic record (normally at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale with all grades being considered) from each institution attended
Only courses from regionally accredited institutions and foreign institutions approved for semester abroad will be accepted for credit
Courses from regionally accredited technical colleges in the State of Georgia may be accepted pursuant to Articulation Agreements between Piedmont College and the specific technical college
Only grades of “C” or higher are transferred in all courses
Developmental, orientation, student-assembly, and cultural-events credits are nontransferable

Graduation Requirements:

Complete all required courses (36 credits) coursework with no more than one grade lower than a “B”
Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
Demonstrate satisfactory performance during the internship (≥70% on all evaluations)
Demonstrate satisfactory performance on the thesis project and presentation (≥70% on each part)

Health and Human Performance, M.S., Curriculum Outline

ATRG 5125	Physical Assessment and the Patient Experience	3
ATRG 6402	Organization and Administration of AT Programs	3
HSCS 5100	Epidemiology and Biostatistics	3
HSCS 5301	Implementation and Evaluation of Health Programming	3
HSCS 5302	Pathology and Pharmacology	4
HSCS 5340	Coaching Behavior Change	3
HSCS 5410	Research Methodology in Health Sciences	3
HSCS 5411	Current and Emerging Issues in Health Policy, Economics, and Advocacy	3
HSCS 5420	Advanced Strength and Conditioning	3
HSCS 5499	Internship in Health Sciences	1-6
HSCS 6411	Assessing Healthcare Quality	3

	CHOOSE ONE:
ATRG 5120	Practical and Emergency Techniques in Athletic Training	3
HSCS 5440	Nutrition for Health Programming	3

Total Credit Hours: 36