College of Education and Human Development
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Masters Degree Program:
Exercise, Fitness and Health Promotion

studentThe Master of Science in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion (EFHP) focuses on the role of physical activity in the promotion of health, fitness and quality of life. This program is designed to prepare professionals in a variety of fields including physical education, health education, fitness, and health promotion/disease prevention careers.

Completion of this degree may lead to the pursuit of advanced academic study (doctoral programs) and/or to preparation of professionals enabled to more adequately serve their communities.

See below for additional information about the MS EFHP program:

Careers in the Field

Graduates are prepared to assume positions that require a balance of qualifications in exercise, fitness, and health promotion knowledge, research experience, educational programming expertise, and behavioral change skill training. The program has an excellent history of preparing professionals in these areas of competence. Recent graduates have assumed successful positions in public and private sector schools, community health agencies, public health departments, health care centers including hospitals and corporate fitness facilities located in a variety of businesses and industries.

Admissions

Prospective students applying for admission to the Master of Science in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion program should have completed undergraduate course work in:

  • human anatomy
  • human physiology
  • nutrition
  • kinesiology
  • physiology of exercise

In addition to fulfilling the graduate admission requirements of the university, all applicants will be required to:

• Submit three letters of recommendation.

• Provide transcripts of all previous college work, showing that they have completed the required undergraduate course work (human anatomy, human physiology, nutrition, kinesiology, and physiology of exercise).

• Forward recent scores (within previous five years) of either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogy Test (MAT).

• Submit a written goals statement (500-1,000 words) relating study in the M.S. program to the applicant’s education and career objectives.

Begin the application process by visiting the George Mason Univeristy Office of Admissions, or its online application website. The M.S. in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion is listed under the College of Education and Human Development.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with admission reserved for the following semester.

Degree Requirements

In addition to fulfilling the graduate degree requirements of the university, the student must complete 30 graduate credit hours including the following courses.

Core Courses

(18 graduate credit hours)

Elective Courses

(6 or 12 graduate credit hours depending on option selected, see below)

Thesis

(6 graduate credit hours for thesis option)

Degree Options

Students may select either a thesis or non-thesis/comprehensive examination option for completion of the MS EFHP degree.

Thesis Option

Completion of the core (18 graduate credit hours)

Completion of electives (6 graduate credit hours)

Completion and oral defense of a thesis (6 graduate credit hours)

Oral examination of the complete written thesis

  • • conducted by Chair of the Thesis Committee (required)
  • • attended by Members of the Thesis Committee (required)
  • • attended by other interested faculty/students (optional)

Nonthesis Option

Completion of the core (18 graduate credit hours)

Completion of electives (12 graduate credit hours)

Written comprehensive examination

  • • includes five questions (one hour per question)
  • • one question from the content area of EFHP 623 Research Design and Statistical Reasoning
  • • four other questions focusing on student’s strengths and content of the degree program    (student selects from six)
  • • examination is scheduled twice each semester and once during the summer

EFHP Faculty

Jatin P. Ambegaonkar, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2007;
Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Clinical Education in Athletic Training Education Program.

David S. Anderson, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1983;
Professor.  Alcohol and drug prevention in higher education.

Robert E. Baker, Ed.D., The College of William and Mary in Virginia, 1995;
Associate Professor and Coordinator, Sport Management.

Shane Caswell, Ph.D., Ohio University, 2003;
Assistant Professor and Director Athletic Training Education Program.

Richard E. Miller, Ed.D., State University of New York at Buffalo, 1981;
Associate Professor.  Health education.

John Nauright, Ph.D., Queens University, Ontario, Canada;
Professor and Coordinator Graduate Program.

Ellen B. Drogin Rodgers, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University, 1991;
Associate Professor and Director for Center for Recreation, and Tourism Research and Policy.  Research methodology and evaluation; social psychology of leisure; human dimensions of natural resources.

R. Pierre Rodgers, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University, 1991;
Associate Professor. Sport management and sport communication.

Cindy Waddell, Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2003;
Coordinator of Internships and Academic Advising.

Ava J. Walker, Ph.D., University of Tennessee, 1991;
Associate Professor and Director, Human Performance Research Laboratory. 
Exercise physiology and adult fitness/wellness.

David K. Wiggins, Ph.D., University of Maryland, 1979;
Professor and Director, School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism.
Sport history and philosophy of sport and physical education.

Advising

Currently, all graduate students receive advising from the Coordinator of the Graduate Program,
Dr. John Nauright, who may be contacted either through email: jnaurigh@gmu.edu
or voice mail: 703-993-2061
or in person: 201C Bull Run Hall, Prince William Campus.

For Additional Information...

or to discuss your interest in Mason’s M.S. in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion degree program, please contact:

  • Dr. John Nauright
  • Professor and Coordinator, M.S. EFHP
    School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism
  • 201C Bull Run Hall, MS 4E5
  • George Mason University
    10900 University Boulevard
    Manassas, VA  20110