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Kinesiology and Lifestyle Medicine (MSH)

Overview

The Master of Science in Health (MSH) in Kinesiology and Lifestyle Medicine (KALM) is a life sciences degree that integrates an evidenced-based curriculum in an applied research environment. Students pursuing the MSH in KALM are required to take 11 core courses in exercise physiology, epidemiology, biostatistics, research methods, and behavioral medicine, for a total of 33 credit hours. The remaining credits will be will be satisfied with either a three or six credit internship/project or six credit thesis option. Elective coursework is available in the areas of strength and conditioning, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and nutrition for students who opt for a three-credit internship/project. Students must declare a thesis or non-thesis option upon acceptance in to the program. The MSH in KALM requires the completion of 39 graduate credit hours and should be completed in two years.

The MSH in KALM curriculum will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work and provide leadership in the areas of lifestyle and preventive medicine, health and fitness, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, diabetes education, strength and conditioning, lifestyle coaching, and population and clinical research. Thesis option students will begin preparation towards becoming independent investigators by developing the skills necessary to conduct original research. Thesis option students may be exposed to both primary data collection (human subjects) and secondary data analysis (existing data sets). Students planning on pursuing a thesis and terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D.) are strongly encouraged to pursue elective coursework in epidemiology. Thesis option students will be accepted each fall on a competitive basis and contingent upon graduate assistantship funding. Upon program completion, students are encouraged to sit for the national certifications offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). The internship option culminates in either a 150 or 300-hour experiential internship working under the direct supervision of a graduate degreed professional in fields including Exercise Physiology/Kinesiology, Epidemiology, Public Health, Rehabilitation and/or Medicine.

The program does not require a specific undergraduate major. Applicants who apply while still enrolled in an undergraduate degree program may be admitted contingent upon successful completion of the bachelor's degree prior to enrolling in graduate courses.

UNF admits 10-15 students into the MSH in Kinesiology and Lifestyle Medicine program each fall semester. To be considered for admission, students must apply to the program by the posted deadline of the year for which they wish to be admitted. Prior to enrolling in MSH courses, students must have completed the prerequisites.

Program Contact

Dr. James Churilla

Graduate Program Director
Professor
Building 39, Room 4070
(904) 620-1735

Application Deadlines

Fall August 1 

 

The review process for admissions begins January 1.

Application Options

Are you a current or recent UNF undergraduate?

You may be eligible to apply using our 

Express Application!

 Are you new to UNF and looking to join the Nest?

 

Admission Requirements

The below Program Requirements, University Requirements, and International Applicant Requirements*, if applicable, must be submitted no later than the deadline posted above. Incomplete applications or those with required materials post-marked after the deadline are subject to cancellation. Once an application has been canceled, the decision cannot be reversed.

*International students must be fully admitted to a full-time, on-campus, in-person, degree-seeking program at the University of North Florida. Please contact the International Center for more information.

  • Specific Requirements
    • An interview with the graduate program director 
      • Zoom interviews are an option for applicants who are not able to come to UNF, however, visiting the campus for an in-person interview is encouraged
    • Write and submit a one page critique/summary of this study
  • Express Application Requirements

    UNF undergraduates applying through the Express Application portal will be required to submit the below documents directly to the department. Questions should be directed to the graduate program director.

    • Letter of recommendation from a faculty member of the program graduated from 
    • Write and submit a one page critique/summary of this study
  • Program Prerequisites
    Course numbers listed below are for courses in the Florida State University System. 
    • BSC 2085C Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
    • BSC 2086C Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
    • CHM 2045/2045L General Chemistry I with Lab 
    • STA 2014 Elementary Statistics 

    • HSC 4612 Exercise Physiology (recommended)

    Applicants who completed the prerequisites under different course numbers must contact the graduate program director to have those courses approved.
  • Application and Application Fee

    All applicants are required to use our online system to create an account and submit an application. The application opens approximately one year in advance and is only good for the term and program in which it is submitted. Applicants who have submitted their application and wish to change their admission term or major/concentration should contact us.

    A $30 (USD) application fee is required regardless of previous enrollment. The application fee is non-refundable and cannot be waived. Undergraduate application fees cannot be used for a graduate application, and vise versa. The application fee must be submitted prior to the review of an application.
  • College Transcripts

    All applicants must provide transcripts from a U.S. institution accredited by an accepted institutional accreditor or its equivalent from a non-US institution that awarded the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, if applicable, and transcripts from institutions where any post-baccalaureate and/or graduate credits were earned.

    All international transcripts will require a course-by-course evaluation by an approved third-party credential evaluation agency unless a graduate program has established an alternative credential evaluation procedure that is approved by the graduate school. To be accepted, the evaluation must be:

    1. Translated to English and be the U.S. equivalent
    2. Evaluated course-by-course
    3. Include the overall academic GPA
    4. Be from an approved third-party accredited evaluation service. Recommended evaluation agencies: 
    Important Notes
    • The UNF Graduate School cannot request transcripts on an applicants behalf.
    • Unofficial transcript copies are accepted for admissions but must clearly state the institution name, student name, course information, terms, grades, and credits. Degree audits are not accepted. Admitted students will be prompted to provide official transcripts. 
    • If currently enrolled in courses, an incomplete transcript must be submitted before the posted deadline. 
    • Applicants who also have to apply through systems such as ATCAS or PTCAS, must submit separate transcripts to UNF. 
    • When requesting college transcripts, please verify with your institution(s) whether or not they are able to submit electronic transcripts in the proper EDI format. Institutions can submit transcripts via e-mail to graduateschool@unf.edu from an approved vendor such as ScriptSafe, Credentials, or Parchment. 
    • Former or current UNF students should not request UNF transcripts. After application submission, the UNF requirement will be updated to a "waived" status.
    • If prompted to submit official transcripts they must meet the following requirements to be considered official:
      • Must be less than one year old from the date of printing
      • Must be submitted in a sealed envelope from your institution, or emailed through official electronic means.
  • Where do I send transcripts and test scores?
    Mail
    UNF Graduate School
    1 UNF Drive
    Jacksonville, FL 32224

     

    Email
    graduateschool@unf.edu

     

    Test Score Institutional Codes
    GRE: institutional code 5490
    GMAT: institutional code CF3QB51
  • Deadlines and Documents

    The immigration processing deadline is for international students who are required to submit documents for immigration processing. It is encouraged to submit all documents for immigration by the dates below. Please direct questions to the International Center.

    Fall...........May 1
    Spring......October 1
    Summer...February 1

    According to U.S. immigration regulations, F-1/J-1 students cannot pursue online degree programs, part-time enrollment, or certificate programs. Therefore, the University of North Florida is not allowed to issue F-1/J-1 student immigration documents to these applicants. Immigration documents can only be issued for students who are fully admitted to a full-time, on-campus, in-person, degree-seeking program. Please contact the International Center for more information.

    If you have a scholarship which requires you to be enrolled in face-to-face (in-person) classes each semester, contact the Graduate Program Director for more information regarding availability of face-to-face (in-person) classes.

    UNF International Center
    1 UNF Drive 
    Jacksonville , FL 32224-2659 

    intlctr@unf.edu

    Telephone: (904) 620-2657 
    Fax: (904) 620-3925
  • English Language Proficiency

    All applicants, except those from countries where English is the only official language, are required to show proof of satisfactory evidence that the applicant's competency in English is adequate. Applicants whose native language is not English must meet one of the following requirements of English Language Proficiency:

    • Indicators of Required English Language Proficiency for Foreign Applicants
    • The Duolingo English Test is an acceptable indicator of English proficiency. An overall score of 110 is recommended for admission. Individual programs may require higher scores and all sub scores will be considered.
    • Minimum score on the GRE Verbal Test based on a specific program’s GRE minimum scores will also satisfy the English language proficiency requirement.
  • Affidavit of Financial Support and Bank Certification

    The Affidavit is a legal document which is signed by the sponsor (the person who will be providing the funds) stating the amount of funds that she/he will provide for the educational expenses of the student applicant and then certified by a bank official that the sponsor does have that amount of funds in their account. This form represents an obligation on the part of the sponsor to provide the required amount of funds as indicated on the form. Please review the Estimated Costs of Attendance for International Students to determine the amount of funds needed to be written on the Affidavit.

    All documentation and immigration inquiries should be sent to the UNF International Center.
  • Immunization Documentation Form and Health Insurance

    All students at UNF are required to demonstrate that they either have been vaccinated or have immunity against measles and rubella. If students wish to resolve this requirement before they arrive, they will need to have their physician complete and then sign and stamp the Immunization Documentation Form. Students may obtain the needed immunizations once they arrive in Florida. In no case may students register for or attend classes until they have met this requirement.

    The State of Florida requires proof of medical insurance which meets a minimum standard as a prerequisite to registration. Health insurance coverage can be purchased through the UNF Student Health Services upon arrival. If a student wishes to request that UNF accept a different insurance policy, the insurance company must fax a completed, signed, and stamped UNF Student Health Services International Student Health Insurance Evaluation Form indicating that the alternate insurance policy meets all minimal requirements as outlined. Students may not register for classes until the health insurance requirement is met. 

    Please send all documentation or direct health inquiries to Student Health Services.

Graduate Cost Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate the cost of tuition and fees for a graduate program.
This is only an estimation. Additional fees may apply.

Directions

  1. Select the appropriate rate and residency classification. Please note:
    • The exclusive tuition rate is only available to eligible students.
    • Residency classification is not guaranteed. Supporting documentation is requested after students are admitted from applicants who indicated they would like to apply for Florida residency for tuition purposes on their admissions application.

  2. Type the number of credit hours you would like to calculate. Most graduate courses are 3 credit hours. The total number of program credits is listed above under Program At-a-Glance.

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