Kinesiology and Nutrition

Undergraduate

Melissa Long, Chair
Sheila Jones, Assistant Chair

ACU Box 28084
Abilene, Texas 79699-8084
Teague Special Events Center

Phone: 325-674-2338
Fax: 325-674-6788
Email: joness@acu.edu; melissa.long@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/kin e

Faculty

Nathalie Caldwell, Instructor, MAT Clinical Coordinator
Grace French, Instructor
Sheila Jones, Associate Professor, Assistant Chair, Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics
Melissa Long, Associate Professor, Chair, and Director, Master of Science in Strength, Conditioning, and Human Performance
Lynn Luttrell, Associate Professor
Renee Lytle, Assistant College Professor
Ramonica Scott, Assistant Professor and Director, Master of Athletic Training
Deonna Shake, Instructor
Martha Smallwood, Associate Professor
Odies L. Wright, Associate Professor

The Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology (general kinesiology, pre-athletic training, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physical therapy, coaching, or sport and recreation management) and Nutrition (Didactic Program in Dietetics or generalist).

Introduction

The departmental mission is to prepare students to serve and lead through the development of healthy lifestyles. Students selecting Kinesiology (KINE) as their course of study will be preparing to work in health and wellness in a corporate, hospital, sport or recreational facility, or private setting; or they will prepare for future study in athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other health-related fields such as chiropractic or physician assistant. Students selecting Nutrition (NUTR) as their course of study will be preparing to work as registered dietitians or nutritionists in clinical, community, and food service settings. Students who excel in these degrees are well-prepared for entry to graduate study in areas of human performance, wellness, and nutrition.

The nature of all these occupations requires professionals who enjoy working with people.

Minors are available to all ACU students. The coaching minor is designed to prepare more knowledgeable and competent coaches. Course work addresses the suggested competencies described in existing national coaching standards.

The nutrition minor affords students the opportunity to study nutrients and their physiological functions, normal nutrition requirements throughout the life cycle, nutrition requirements for physical activity, and socioeconomic influences on food choices. It also provides opportunities to learn how to assess adequacy of nutrition, how to develop nutrition education programs, and how to effectively educate populations.

The academic program is enhanced by access to facilities in the Royce and Pam Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center and the Teague Special Events Center. The nutrition program has a fully equipped Laboratory for Experiential Activities in Nutrition (LEAN). The Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) is a resource for our majors to learn to analyze body composition, cardiovascular function, blood chemistry, respiratory function, muscular strength, and flexibility. These analyses are also available for faculty, staff, and students who wish to assess their personal health by using state-of-the-art technology, such as the DEXA. Computer assisted nutritional analysis, stress profiles and personal evaluations are also available in the HPL. A fully equipped Athletic Training Classroom doubles as a skills lab for students enrolled in the Masters of Athletic Training program.

Recreational and fitness facilities include three gyms for court games; two group exercise areas; a large exercise area with strength training equipment, stair climbers, elliptical machines, and treadmills for aerobic workouts; a free-weight area; two indoor swimming pools; and men’s and women’s dressing rooms. Lighted pickleball courts are adjacent to the center.

The Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition provides a well-balanced activity program with an emphasis on health and wellness. Departmental objectives for each activity class include providing activity for recreation (enjoyment), fitness and stress release, while teaching knowledge and performance skills needed to maintain a healthful, enjoyable lifestyle in the future.

A student may elect to take any physical education activity class on a Pass/Fail basis. Students must make this decision during the first two weeks of the fall and spring terms or the first two days of the summer term. During this time, the Pass/Fail form is available on the Registrar’s website at www.acu.edu/registrar. (Students should be aware that some graduate schools will not accept Pass/Fail grades and/or will automatically count them as a grade of “C.” Some schools will not transfer Pass/Fail grades.)

Study Abroad Expectations

All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.

Bachelor of Science Degrees (BS)

Admission Requirements

Before being admitted to a program, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.

Health Sciences (BS)

The Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences is for students who are passionate about healthcare, helping others and who are ready to study for a career in community health or an allied healthcare field. This major is designed to provide a service-focused education in a Christian context with a strong undergraduate preparation. It is a multidisciplinary program that provides students with key foundational courses beneficial to any allied health-related profession. The curriculum’s core is concentrated on healthcare aspects of ethics, communication, interprofessional education, health professions, and psychology.

The broad focus and adequate elective hours enable many options of study. Prerequisites for associated professional programs can be met through this degree with guidance from advising. Students can be prepared for healthcare-related careers or graduate studies including but not limited to healthcare administration and public health. Additional careers include health education specialist, community health worker, billing specialist, and other allied health-related careers.

Kinesiology (BS)

This major is interdisciplinary by design with required courses, electives and laboratory experiences to prepare the student for entry into commercial fitness, hospital-based fitness, wellness or cardiac rehabilitation. Degree tracks are designed specifically to help graduates enter graduate programs in athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, other allied health fields such as chiropractic and physician assistant, and sport and recreation management. Within the Kinesiology major, students may currently choose six options:

Kinesiology Generalist (KGEN). This degree track allows students the flexibility to obtain academic preparation inclusive of laboratory and practical experiences necessary to enter medical school or graduate programs in allied health, graduate exercise physiology, and associated fields. The natural flexibility furthermore serves to accommodate academic preparation for entrance into Occupational and Physical Therapy programs with the redundancy of degree offering being most vital for transfer students and students switching into KINE (or between KINE tracks) but with aspirations towards OT or PT rehabilitative work. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required to remain in, and graduate from the KGEN track.
Pre-Athletic Training Integrated Program (KATP). This degree track offers an integrated program that combines 3 years of undergraduate coursework with 2 years of graduate coursework through the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) degree, allowing students to achieve both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 5 years. This integrated program provides comprehensive coursework, hands-on laboratory classes, and diverse clinical experience all while reinforcing Christ-centered values. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to remain in and graduate from the KATP degree track.

NOTE: The MAT program provides 55 hours of graduate coursework and qualifies graduates to sit for the Board of Certification exam and subsequently qualifies graduates for State of Texas Athletic Training Licensure. ACU is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2001 K Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20006.

The first three years are “pre-professional” and are designed for undergraduate students. In this program, the student will earn a BS in Kinesiology with the KATP concentration, as well as complete the prerequisites for the MAT program. After acceptance in the “professional” phase of the program, the student will begin graduate level classes during the summer prior to their fourth year. ACU will award the bachelor’s degree to qualified students who have satisfactorily completed three years of prescribed work in Kinesiology at ACU plus one year in the Master of Athletic Training program (summer, fall, and spring semesters) for a total of 130 hours. The master’s degree will be awarded upon successful completion of the fifth year.

Pre-Physical Therapy (KNPT). Students who wish to pursue professional graduate programs in Physical Therapy must complete all of the prerequisites for entry into those programs in addition to key Kinesiology courses designed to enhance the chances of success in graduate school. A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required to remain in and graduate from the KNPT degree track.
Pre-Occupational Therapy (KNOT). Students who wish to pursue professional graduate programs in Occupational Therapy must complete all of the pre-requisites for entry into those programs in addition to key Kinesiology courses designed to enhance the chances of success in graduate school. A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required to remain in and graduate from the KNOT degree track.
Sport and Recreation Management (KSRM). Students who desire careers in recreation settings such as camps, YMCA, YWCA, city recreation programs, or similar settings; or those who wish to work in intramural administration or athletic administration, may wish to seek the KSRM degree. The track allows for a number of electives that may be used to focus on a specific career goal. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required to remain in and graduate from the KSRM degree track.
Coaching (KCOA). This degree track is designed to develop the individual student for a career of coaching and any level through quality education that integrates theory, hands-on experiences, and personal growth. From middle school to the Pros, this degree plan will teach you how to guide others to excellence in their chosen sport. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required to remain in and graduate from the KCOA track.

Nutrition (BS)

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition prepares students to serve and lead others through living and teaching healthful nutrition practices and wellness lifestyles. Christian values and ethics are encouraged in any area of nutrition the student chooses. Students may declare Nutrition as a major with a concentration in the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Nutrition Generalist. Entry into the DPD requires a formal application process as described below. The Didactic Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND, a division of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics). ACEND’s address and phone number are: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800-877-1600 ext. 5400. Below are details concerning the concentrations in Nutrition.

Didactic Program in Dietetics concentration (NDPD). A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for entrance into and for remaining in the DPD. Students who are interested in becoming Registered Dietitians may apply to the DPD after passing 45 hours through a formal application and interview process. Transfer students or current students wishing to change their major may apply to the DPD after passing 45 hours, after taking at least six hours of nutrition courses at ACU, and after being a nutrition major at ACU for at least two semesters.

Students applying to Dietetic Internships are required to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Those who graduate in the DPD are prepared to enter Dietetic Internships and master’s programs, after which, they may sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians. DPD graduates are also eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietetic Technicians. Verification Statements will be presented to all DPD graduates immediately after graduation. The DPD Director monitors GPAs and provides Verification Statements.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) and Dietetic Technicians Registered may find employment in healthcare facilities, community and public health nutrition programs, other government entities, private practice (if RDN), school nutrition programs, sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs, education, research, sales, marketing, restaurant management, and food companies. As registered dietitian nutritionists, they will be prepared to serve and lead through exemplary practice in fields of nutrition and dietetics while modeling Christian values.
Nutrition Generalist (NGEN). Nutrition professionals have many different areas of food and nutrition in which they can be involved. Careers are available in health promotion, community nutrition, and food service. Some employers include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), AgriLife Extension, supermarkets, school districts, wellness centers, and health departments. Graduates will be qualified to counsel individuals and present to groups about normal nutrition, sports nutrition, and nutrition through the life cycle. Within this concentration, twenty-four hours are available for taking more nutrition, kinesiology, science, communications, business, or psychology courses and offers flexibility if the Didactic Program in Dietetics is not desired or possible.

Graduate

Athletic Training

Melissa Long, Chair

Ramonica Scott, Program Director
ACU Box 28084
Abilene, TX 79699-8084
Teague Special Event Center

Phone: 325-674-2338
Fax: 325-674-6788
Email: ras19d@acu.edu
Web: http://www.acu.edu/mat

Faculty

Melissa Long, Associate Professor
Ramonica Scott, Assistant Professor
Nathalie Caldwell, Instructor

Introduction

The Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program provides comprehensive coursework and clinical experience for students who seek knowledge in the field of athletic training. The program will provide the students with classroom academic coursework, hands-on laboratory classes, and diverse clinical experiences all while reinforcing Christ-centered values.

Experiential learning is an integral part of our Master in Athletic Training program. Students will be required to complete a clinical experience class every semester. Additionally, they will have at least one immersion experience that will last at least four weeks during which students will work alongside an athletic trainer learning all aspects of the profession. This ensures that our graduates will have adequate real-world and hands-on experience as athletic trainers so they are proficient on the first day of their jobs.

Another emphasis in this MAT program is research and contribution to the profession of Athletic Training. As a non-thesis program, students will be required to complete research projects and submit abstracts for presentation at a regional or national conference, or submit an article for publication. All research projects are overseen by a faculty member.

The demand for athletic trainers across all practice settings is increasing, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the athletic training profession will grow 17% by 2032. There is tremendous opportunity for job growth in the secondary school setting as NATA advocates for the gold standard of at least one full time athletic trainer in each secondary school. As parents, athletes, coaches, and school administrators become more aware of the long-term effects of concussion and injury, the importance of youth sports safety and the effectiveness of athletic trainers in prevention and rehabilitation, more schools are demanding full time athletic trainers to keep student athletes safe.

NOTE: The program provides 55 hours of graduate coursework and qualifies graduates to sit for the Board of Certification exam and subsequently qualifies graduates for State of Texas Athletic Training Licensure. ACU is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2001 K Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20006.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general graduate admissions requirements, in order to gain admission to the master of Athletic Training program, applicants must meet these specific program requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree - Completion of a bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants must submit official transcripts for review. Admission is made on the assumption that applicants will have the bachelor’s degree by the time of matriculation, and if not, the MAT program admission is void. The GRE is not required. ACU students currently enrolled in the “pre-professional” phase (KATP) of the integrated (3+2) program that wish to apply to the “professional” phase of the MAT program must complete at least 104 hours of undergraduate courses before beginning graduate level courses.
Prerequisite Coursework – All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation. Prerequisite courses include:

Biology … 3-4 hours
Chemistry … 3-4 hours
Human Anatomy (or A&P I) … 3-4 hours
Human Physiology (or A&P II) … 3-4 hours
Physics … 3-4 hours
Psychology … 3 hours
Exercise Physiology and/or Kinesiology/Biomechanics … 3 hours
Statistics … 3 hours
Nutrition … 3 hours

GPA – An overall GPA of 3.0 is required to apply. Prerequisite and general science course grades will be reviewed.
Letters of Recommendation – Each applicant must obtain three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be completed by individuals who:

Have supervised observation hours during any healthcare-related volunteer or paid work;
Are previous or present instructors and/or advisors;
Are previous or present employers; and/or
Are healthcare professionals.

Letters of recommendation should include elements demonstrating the applicant’s willingness to learn, integrity, perseverance, and ability to interact with patients/clients. Letters of recommendation are submitted online through the ATCAS Application.

Personal Statement – A written statement (600-800 words) describing how professional goals, interests, and faith led you to apply to the Master of Athletic Training program at ACU.
Observation Hours – Fifty hours of observation directly supervised by a certified and licensed Athletic Trainer in the spring semester prior to enrollment at ACU are required. A student may apply for admission to the MAT program prior to completing the observation hours, but the observation hours must be documented and signed by the supervising Athletic Trainer on the required form prior to the start of the program. If the fifty hours are not completed, the student’s admission will be rescinded.

Applicants for the MAT program must complete both an ATCAS Application and an ACU Graduate Programs Application. Application must occur by completing the following steps:

ATCAS Application – The ATCAS Application can be accessed through the following link: https://atcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

NOTE: There is an $96 application fee associated with the ATCAS application paid by the student. This is a one-time fee charged by ATCAS. The ATCAS application can be used to apply for other MAT programs as well.

ACU Graduate Programs Application – The ACU Graduate Application can be accessed through the following link: https://secure.touchnet.com/C20286_ustores/web/classic/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=1036

NOTE: There is a $65 application fee associated with the ACU graduate application.

Nutrition

Sheila Jones, Chair

Sheila Jones, Program Director for the General MS in Nutrition
Department of Kinesiology & Nutrition
ACU Box 28084
Abilene, Texas 79699
Phone: 325-674-2089
Email: joness@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/grad

Jennifer Gillin, MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship Director
Department of Kinesiology & Nutrition
ACU Box 28084
Abilene, Texas 79699
or
ACU Dallas
16633 Dallas Parkway, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 325-674-6541
Fax: 325-674-6788
Email: jmg21c@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/grad

Faculty

Jennifer Gillin, College Assistant Professor
Sheila Jones, Associate Professor of Nutrition
Martha Smallwood, Associate Professor of Nutritio

Introduction

The Master of Science in Nutrition provides comprehensive coursework for students who seek further knowledge in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

This program provides 39 hours of coursework and will qualify graduates to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians along with completion of an accredited Dietetic Internship. Students may select either the stand-alone MS in Nutrition or the accredited track which combines the MS in Nutrition with the Dietetic Internship.

MS in Nutrition General Track

The mission of the general Nutrition program is to prepare graduates for successful careers as nutritionists or Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists (with completion of a dietetic internship) who are committed to servant leadership while modeling Christian values. The program will prepare graduates to utilize nutrition-related knowledge and skills to improve the quality of health and well-being among individuals with limited resources.

The program will prepare graduates to:

Offer services to those in need through church or community outreach.
Obtain employment in nutrition/dietetics or a related field.
Assume leadership roles in the workplace and/or professional organizations.

MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship Combined Program

The mission of the combined MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship program is to prepare students/interns to be entry-level registered dietitians who model Christian values and to lead and empower individuals, especially those with economic need, to achieve better nutrition and healthier lifestyles.

Abilene Christian University’s combined MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship program associated with CitySquare is one of the first programs in the nation to offer an internship program with an emphasis on “Poverty and Community.” Thirty hours of online courses (10 courses) for the MS in Nutrition degree are taken in the first year (52 weeks) of the program with 47 weeks of coursework. The orientation to the internship, supervised practice rotations, and other graduate courses (9 hours, 3 courses) will follow the first year. One of those courses is online, and the other two courses are face-to-face or hybrid. Courses in the second year are taken concurrently with the rotations but begin in August. The orientation for the internship begins in August, but the rotation cycle will begin in September and end in late May or early June of the next year. The rotations provide interns with entry-level competence for work in any area of dietetics. Graduates of the ACU MS/DI will be prepared to serve the majority of the population but especially populations that have disabilities or are in poverty. The internship orientation and rotation portion of the program is 39 weeks in length with 32 weeks of supervised practice rotations. The total number of weeks in the combined program total 99 weeks or approximately 23 months. Completion of the combined program allows graduates to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Consistent with the mission of CitySquare, interns during rotations will focus their time on the issues of hunger, health, housing, and hope.

Hunger - Interns will address hunger of those in poverty by working in the Opportunity Center Food Bank and Summer Feeding Programs.
Health - The internship schedule will include several clinical rotations including but not limited to cardiac, endocrinology, intensive care, oncology, pediatric, renal, surgical, and general medical. Along with the clinical experiences, an outpatient counseling rotation will address health of the clientele using knowledge gained in the clinical rotations.
Housing - Indirectly, housing will be addressed through intern involvement in teaching basic selection, procurement, and preparation of healthful meals for home use.
Hope - Hope is manifested in education and gaining skills for employment. Dietetic interns will be instrumental in helping teach basic culinary and food service skills.

Goals and Objectives

1) The program will prepare graduates to have commitment to utilize nutrition-related knowledge to improve the quality of the health and well-being among those who have limited resources.

This goal is congruent with the MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship mission concerning helping those in poverty.

Objective 1.1 of Goal 1 - Eighty percent of graduates will be offering services to those in need in their church or their community.

2) The program will prepare graduates to obtain entry-level employment in dietetics or related field

This goal fits with the mission in the preparation of graduates for successful entry-level employment in the field.

Objective 2.1 for Goal 2 - At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 37 months (150% of the program length).
Objective 2.2 of Goal 2 - Of graduates who seek employment, 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
Objective 2.3 of Goal 2 – Eighty percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
Objective 2.4 of Goal 2 - The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
Objective 2.5 of Goal 2 - Over a 5-year period, at least eighty percent or more of graduates who successfully complete the program will pass the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists on the first attempt.
Objective 2.6 of Goal 2 – At least eighty percent of employers will express satisfaction by indicating graduates are prepared for entry-level practice in the workplace.

3) The program will prepare graduates for leadership in the field of nutrition and dietetics

Being prepared for leadership in the field indicates that graduates are well-prepared for the profession, which reflects the mission of providing high quality supervised practice experiences that prepare graduates for the field. The expectation is that graduates will be highly respected because of their competency and leadership potential.

Objective 3.1 of Goal 3 – At least eighty percent of surveys returned from employers rated graduates as being good or excellent for competency and leadership potential.
Objective 3.2 of Goal 3 – At least eighty percent of graduates will pursue leadership roles in the community or profession within 2 years of completing the dietetic internship.

Accreditation

The ACU Dietetic Internship is fully accredited with the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). ACEND’s contact information is listed below:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(800) 877-1600, ext. 5400
www.acend@eatright.org.

Admission Requirements for the General MS in Nutrition Program

If the student is wanting to apply to the combined MS Nutrition/Dietetic Internship track, please see the next section.

Apply to the ACU Office of Graduate Programs.

The admission requirements for the general MS in Nutrition include:

A completed online ACU graduate programs application for admission with a nonrefundable $65 application fee.
A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0.
Submit three letters of recommendation.
Submit official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous college work (official means an original with the seal that comes directly from the issuing institution to ACU). The transcript must indicate a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Successful completion of:
- 3 hours of Introductory Nutrition
- 3 hours of Nutrition Through the Life Cycle coursework
- 6-8 hours of Anatomy & Physiology
Submit a personal statement addressing short-term and long-term professional goals and how faith can inform your work in the nutrition profession.

Admission Requirements for the Combined MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship Program

Step 1: Apply to Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services.
The application process for Dietetic Internship applicants differs some from other ACU graduate programs. Applicants must first apply on the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) online applicant portal. The DICAS is a service of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and offers applicants a convenient, state-of-the-art, web-based application service. The DICAS application may be accessed at https://portal.dicas.org.

The admission requirements for the DICAS are:

Complete a dietetic internship application and submit the application fee;
Submit three letters of recommendation;
Submit any/all official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous college work (official means an original with the seal that comes directly from the issuing institution). The transcript must indicate a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
Submit a personal statement which includes the following: short-term and long-term professional goals (after completing the dietetic internship); address how faith can inform your work in the profession of dietetics; describe experiences you have had working with individuals who are dealing with poverty or are at risk for homelessness and how you felt about those experiences; explain your philosophy of working with the impoverished; state reason(s) you chose to apply to the ACU MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship;
Submit a personal résumé.

Step 2: Apply to Abilene Christian University MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship program.

Apply separately for admission to ACU.

The admission requirements for the ACU MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship combined program are:

Complete an online ACU application for admission;
Submit a nonrefundable $65 application fee (in addition to the DICAS fee);
Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0; and
Applicants must have completed Didactic Program in Dietetics requirements in an accredited program as specified by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Potential students/interns must submit an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Verification statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) along with their completed application.

Successful Completion of the MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship

In order to successfully complete the ACU MS in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship, all students/interns must earn an overall GPA of 3.0, complete all rotation evaluation forms and present the completed and signed evaluation forms (including self-evaluations) to the Program Director within the designated time frame, and have a satisfactory rating or above on all evaluations. The Program Director will provide additional evaluations on projects and research that are required throughout the program.

To complete the program, each student/intern must successfully complete 30 hours of required and 9 hours of elective courses for the M.S. in Nutrition degree and must successfully complete all dietetic internship rotation requirements. The maximum amount of time for completing all M.S. in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship requirements is 154 weeks from the time the student begins the program. The student/intern will be awarded a Master of Science in Nutrition degree from Abilene Christian University after completion of the program. They will receive a Verification Statement from the program director indicating their eligibility to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians required for credentialing to be a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Graduates may apply for state licensure (if available in the state where the graduate resides) after passing the Registration Examination for Dietitians, or the graduate may sit for a State Licensure Examination.

Strength, Conditioning, and Human Performance

Melissa Long, Chair and Program Director
ACU Box 28084
Abilene, TX 79699-8084
Teague Special Event Center

Phone: 325-674-2338
Fax: 325-674-6788
Email: mdl16a@acu.edu
Web: http://www.acu.edu/msschp

Faculty

Melissa Long, Associate Professor
Martha Smallwood, Associate Professor
Odies Wright Jr., Associate Professor

Introduction

The Master’s of Science in Strength, Conditioning, and Human Performance provides comprehensive coursework and internship experience for students that seek knowledge in the field of strength and conditioning and human performance. The program will provide the students with didactic course work and internship experiences at the NCAA Division I level while reinforcing Christ-centered values.

An emphasis in this MSSCHP program is research and contribution to the profession of Strength and Conditioning. As a non-thesis program, students will be required to complete research projects and submit abstracts for presentation at a regional or national conference, or submit an article for publication. All research projects are overseen by a faculty member.

The demand for human performance professionals across all practice settings is increasing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Statistics estimates a 16% growth in the profession of personal fitness and human performance coaching. There is tremendous opportunity for job growth in the collegiate and professional setting as CSCCa advocates for the gold standard of all Human Performance coaches to obtain the SCCC certification. As parents, athletes, coaches, and school administrators become more aware of the long-term effects of human performance, the importance of proper youth training, periodization, and overall safety, more schools are demanding multiple SCCC certified coaches to oversee Strength & Conditioning programs. As the baby-boomer generation ages, more and more health care facilities are employing Strength, Conditioning, and Human Performance specialists. Many hospitals have gyms (similar to Hendrick) where employees and the general public can workout. Many private health facilities, such as health clubs employ strength coaches as personal trainers.

NOTE: The program provides 36 hours of graduate coursework including internships.This qualifies students to sit for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam, and the NSCA Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS) exam. If a student wishes to sit for the CSCCa Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) exam, then that student will complete at least 640 hours of Approved Mentor supervised internship.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general graduate admissions requirements, in order to gain admission to the MSSCHP program, applicants must meet these specific program requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree - Completion of a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university. Applicants must submit official transcripts for review. Admissions are made on the assumption that applicants will have the bachelor’s degree by the time of matriculation, and if not, the program admission is void. The GRE is not required.
Prerequisite Coursework - All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation. Prerequisite courses include:

Human Anatomy (or A&P I) (ACU equivalent: BIOL 291 & BIOL 293 ) … 3-4 hours
Human Physiology (or A&P II) (ACU equivalent: BIOL 292 & BIOL 294 ) … 3-4 hours
Exercise Physiology (ACU equivalent: KINE 372 & KINE 373 ) … 3 hours
Kinesiology/Biomechanics (ACU equivalent: KINE 498 ) … 3 hours
Math (college Algebra or higher) (ACU equivalent: MATH 109 or higher) … 3 hours

GPA – An overall GPA of 3.0 is suggested to apply. Prerequisite and general science course grades will be reviewed.
Resume
Letters of Recommendation - Each applicant must obtain 3 letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be completed by individuals with expertise in the field such as: (a) supervisors of volunteer or paid coaching work; (b) previous or present instructors and/or advisors; (c) previous or present employers; and/or (d) current or past coaches. Letters of recommendation should include elements demonstrating the applicants: (a) willingness to learn; (b) integrity; (c) perseverance; and (d) ability to interact with patients/clients. Letters of recommendation are submitted online through the ACU application.
Personal Statement - A written statement (600-800 words) describing professional goals, interests, and how your personal journey led you to applying to the Master’s of Strength, Conditioning, and Human Performance Program.

Applicants for the MSSCHP program must complete an ACU Graduate Programs Application. Application must occur by completing the following steps:

ACU Graduate Programs Application – The ACU Graduate Application can be accessed through the following link: https://secure.touchnet.com/C20286_ustores/web/classic/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=1036

NOTE: There is a $65 application fee associated with the ACU graduate application.

Programs

Master of Athletic Training

Athletic Training, MAT (ATHT)

Master of Science

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Courses

Nutrition

Physical Education Activity

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