Get ready to push the limits of human performance with a master’s degree in exercise and sport science. This hands-on, research-driven program equips you with the skills to excel in sports science, clinical exercise physiology, and human performance. Through expert mentorship, state-of-the-art labs, and real-world training, you’ll explore how the body adapts to extreme conditions—preparing you for a career in research, healthcare, and performance optimization.
Program Overview
Apply your expertise to improve the health of your community and beyond.
The High Altitude Exercise Physiology program examines how the human body functions physiologically in extreme environments. In the program, you’ll conduct original research and hone your ability to share your research as presentations and publications. You’ll also learn how to critically evaluate scientific literature and apply the scientific method to exercise science, by actively engaging in the research process.
To ensure that you’re proficient with exercise testing equipment and relevant computer skills, you’ll use state-of-the-art technology to complete research and assessments as you would in clinical exercise physiology professions. Overall, you’ll complete at least 36 total credits, including six thesis credits. The thesis will be a culminating research project, to be completed during the last semester of the two-year program.
Real-world experience
Students work closely with real clients and subjects to develop an acute understanding of human physiology – at rest and during exercise, in healthy and diseased populations – in extreme environments, including hyper- and hypobarometric conditions, heat and cold.
Spotlight
Bryant Byrd
Student
“I’ve learned the importance of understanding my clients’ limitations and developing rapport.”
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation.
Student Outcomes
Preparing students for rewarding careers in exercise & sport science.
Research — Students pursuing a master’s degree in Exercise Science will develop research methods and demonstrate the ability to recognize and employ various study designs. They will:
- Be adept at retrieving and analyzing information relevant to applied exercise science.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the background and principle research in their specialization.
- Exhibit the ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and apply the scientific method to exercise science, by actively engaging in the research process with critical analysis and research.
- Illustrate the ability to situate their own research within the broader context of the Exercise Science field.
- HAEP graduates will master oral and written skills to present and publish their research in peer-reviewed venues.
Application/Outreach — Candidates will be able to translate research into practice, developing evidence-based exercise prescriptions for individuals with performance goals — particularly those at risk, including special populations — who seek to perform in extreme environments, such as altitude, cold, and stressful heat.
Critical Thinking — HAEP students will effectively use information obtained through traditional and non-traditional sources to solve problems related to academic or professional practice.
Technology — HAEP graduates will use technology to complete research and assessments within the professions of exercise physiology and human performance. This includes proficiency with exercise testing equipment and relevant computer skills.
High Altitude Performance Laboratory (HAP Lab)
Early exposure to cutting-edge research through Western’s High Altitude Performance Laboratory (HAP Lab)—7,717 feet above sea level—enables students to gain career-ready skills.
Get Involved
Make your education a life-changing experience.
A college education is so much more than attending classes. By pursuing a master’s degree in exercise science, you will expand your community and network while gaining hands-on experience in your field through these exciting opportunities.
- Wellness Elevated: Work with clinical populations and their exercise programming for a semester or more.
- Assistantships: Gunnison Valley Health collaborates with the HAEP program to offer five full tuition research assistantship positions with the rehabilitation department.
- Shadowing: Shadow practicing clinicians both locally and throughout the United States.
- Research Funding: Apply for research stipends from the American Council on Exercise (ACE) worth thousands of dollars. All projects are published in ACE’s ProSource magazine and submitted to various journals.
- Paid Positions: At the end of their fourth year, students can apply to be a paid trainer in our Wellness Elevated program, where they perform fitness assessments, write exercise prescriptions and train clients.
High Altitude Performance Laboratory
Early exposure to cutting-edge research through the High Altitude Performance Laboratory (HAP Lab)—7,717 feet above sea level—enables students to gain career-ready skills normally found only in graduate school.
News & Research
Additional Resources
Department Information
Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science (RESS) Department
Department Chairperson
Gary P. Van Guilder, Ph.D.Professor of Exercise & Sport Science; Chair, Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science Department
Administrative Assistant
Terri StinsonAdministrative Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Paul Wright Gym 209
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
