Health and Human Performance

Program Description

The graduate curriculum in health and human performance at The University of Montana prepares post-graduates to become effective health and human performance professionals and/or competitive candidates for advanced study in related disciplines through a comprehensive program of study and guided research.

The Department of Health and Human Performance (HHP) in the School of Education at UM has three different Masters degree curriculum tracks, each with the option of a thesis or professional paper. The three options are Exercise Science, Community Health, and HHP Generalist.

Exercise Science  includes two options; the Research Option is designed for those students who intend to pursue further graduate studies. This option involves a more intensive study of laboratory methods and statistical and research design.  The Applied Option is intended for those students who plan to pursue professional careers in Exercise or Applied Sciences (corporate/adult fitness, cardiac rehabilitation and athletics).

The Community Health graduate option is designed to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the role of program planning and behavioral science theory in the development of health related programs designed to improve the physical, mental and social health of individuals and communities. Graduates in Community Health are prepared to work in a variety of settings. These include non-profit health organizations, public health departments, corporate wellness programs, college and university human resource and wellness programs, community health agencies, and primary health care sites such as hospitals and health organizations.

The Generalist option prepares students who are seeking a broad general knowledge in the field of Health and Human Performance.  The broad-based option responds to the needs of students who do not desire to specialize, but want to focus on the diversity of Health and Human Performance.  The broad-based option offers the flexibility to design individualized programs, enabling students to pursue career paths requiring expertise in multiple areas.

• Detailed information can be found in HHP Program Information packet.

Requirements:
Exercise Science: Thesis: 41 credits; Professional paper: 42 credits.

Community Health: Thesis: 38 credits; Professional paper: 38 credits including an internship.

Generalist: Thesis: 37 credits; Professional paper: 37credits.

Admissions

1. Application Materials and Deadline

• To ensure consideration for a teaching assistantship for Fall semester, all application packet materials must be completed and postmarked by March 1st. All applicants are highly encouraged to apply by March 1st. Otherwise, application packets submitted after March 1st are reviewed by the HHP Graduate Committee on a case by case basis depending upon various factors such as program space and need.
• Spring - Applications to enroll in the graduate program beginning Spring semester are discouraged.

 
Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are in the Applying for Admission section on this web site.

In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, the Department of Health and Human Performance also requires:

• A statement of purpose (100-300 words) of your background and goals.
• A resume/curriculum vitae (this can be attached to the online application).
• Three letters of recommendation (We prefer electronic submission through the Admission Application. If the electronic method is used there is no need to send paper copies of the letters to the department.)

2. Program Requirements for Admission

• Minimum prerequisites for Exercise Science include a year of Anatomy & Physiology and Exercise Physiology; prerequisities for Community Health and Generalist are on a case by case basis.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 for all college work.
• Average combined GRE verbal and quantitative scores for incoming students is 900.  For the new GRE scoring system, the graduate committee has not set a minimum, but will use percentile scores to rank applications.
• The Health and Human performance department accepts GRE scores with a test date that is within the past five years OR verifiable GRE scores if the test date is over five years old.

3. Assistantship Application and Deadline

Students should indicate their interest in an assistantship within the admission materials of the graduate school application.   Students should request a separate TA application from Dr. Dumke (see below) following the completion of their application to the program.

4. International Students

• The TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB exam can substitute for the GRE.

• See information in the International Admission section on this web site.

Assistantships


The HHP department has several teaching assistantships available each year. Graduate students in these positions teach a variety of activity courses and assist faculty with course instruction through delivering lectures and grading assignments. Only applicants admitted under full status to the Graduate School are eligible for teaching assistantships. Teaching assistants are considered on the basis of scholarship and potential to successfully complete advanced study and research. Students must reapply each academic year for teaching assistantships. Both incoming and current graduate students are encouraged to apply.

In addition to a stipend, teaching assistants receive a partial tuition fee waiver. Other fees charged by the University are not included in the TA fee waiver package. Teaching assistants are required to register for 6 credits each semester. 9 credits are considered fulltime.

Research assistantships are available contingent on faculty research funds, and provide graduate students with opportunities for involvement in ongoing research.

Financial Assistance


For additional information about financial assistance, see the Financial Information section on this web site.

Health and Human Performance


 
 
Department website



Campus Location
32 Campus Drive
McGill Hall 101
Missoula, MT 59812-4536
(406) 243-4211
Fax: (406) 243-6252

For more information contact the HHP Graduate Coordinator

Charles Dumke, PhD, FACSM
Graduate Program Coordinator
University of Montana
Health and Human Performance
103 McGill Hall
32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT 59812      
charles.dumke@umontana.edu
406.243.6176

Updated 9/12