School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences (ENS) Graduate Programs – Frequently Asked Questions
- MS Exercise Physiology
- MS Nutritional Sciences
- Concurrent MS Exercise Physiology and MS Nutritional Sciences
What type of degree do I need to apply?
A bachelor’s degree (BS or BA) degree is required, although it does not need to be in related field as long as all prerequisite courses are completed (see question below).
Do I have to finish all prerequisite courses listed before admission to the degree program?
Priority consideration will be given to those students with all prerequisites fulfilled. Students not meeting all prerequisites can be recommended for conditional admission; however, all prerequisites must be completed in the first year of graduate study. Prerequisites noted with an asterisk must be completed prior to admission.
How do I know if the classes I’ve taken count as prerequisites or not?
If you took or plan to take prerequisite courses at a college or university in California, you may use ASSIST (Articulation System Stimulating Interinstitutional Student Transfer) to help you see if the classes you took fulfill our requirements.
If the institution where you took or plan to take prerequisite courses is not in California, please email your transcripts to the School of ENS Graduate Advising Office at ensgrad@sdsu for transcript review. The advising office may need additional documents, such as course syllabi or catalog descriptions, in order to verify completion of prerequisite courses.
What is the minimum GPA to apply?
A GPA of 3.0 overall or in the last 60 units of bachelor’s coursework is required for admission.
What if I’m a foreign applicant?
Please visit the SDSU Office of Admissions webpage for International Graduate Students.
How is my residency status determined?
California state law distinguishes between residents and nonresidents for tuition purposes. Please visit the SDSU Office of the Registrar website for more information about residency determination.
What are the requirements for the letters of recommendation?
Letters of recommendation can be from academic professors/instructors/advisers, work supervisors, or any other professional references. You will be prompted to provide the names and email addresses of recommenders on the Interfolio application. Letters will be uploaded by the recommenders to the Interfolio online portal.
What should I include in my Statement of Purpose? How long should it be?
Statements should be 1-2 pages in length describing the applicant’s background, relevant experiences/accomplishments, research area(s) of interest and faculty member(s) with whom applicant is interested in working (if applicable), and career goals.
When will I know if I’m accepted?
Admissions decisions will be made in mid-March, and applicants will be notified via email by the end of March or early April.
If I’m accepted, when would I begin my master’s coursework in the program?
The fall semester begins in late August.
Are graduate assistantships and teaching associateships available? How do I apply?
Yes, please visit the Graduate and Teaching Assistantships page.
Are there research opportunities in the program?
Yes, applicants and students may apply for a variety of research projects during their time in the program. Many students team up with faculty members or get involved with community-based projects as well.
How competitive are the programs?
Admissions statistics are available upon request from the School of ENS Graduate Advising Office at ensgrad@sdsu.edu.
Can I apply for more than one program?
No, you may only apply to one graduate program in the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences.
Can I enroll in classes at SDSU prior to acceptance?
Visit the SDSU Global Campus for more information about enrolling in SDSU courses prior to the formal admissions process. Please contact the School of ENS Graduate Advising Office at ensgrad@sdsu.edu to determine if/how the courses could be applied toward your graduate degree if/when accepted into one of the graduate programs.
Can I apply for the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) too?
It is possible to complete the DPD coursework along with MS Nutritional Sciences or Concurrent MS Exercise Physiology and MS Nutritional Sciences programs.
Please visit the DPD website for more information.
How big is the ENS graduate department?
There are approximately 80+ active graduate students enrolled in the following programs: MS Nutritional Sciences, MS Exercise Physiology, and Concurrent MS Exercise Physiology and MS Nutritional Sciences programs.
Do I have to complete a thesis?
Master’s degree students may choose to complete a thesis (plan A) or directed readings (plan B). Completion of a thesis requires completion of a research project, formation of a thesis committee, and writing, publishing, and defending (via oral presentation) of the thesis. The directed readings course offers two options, which are completed under the advisement of a faculty member: extensive literature review OR research project and preparation of a manuscript for publication. Both of the directed reading options require an oral presentation to discuss the project or literature review.
How much does it cost to attend SDSU?
For the most current tuition information, please visit: SDSU Student Account Services.
Is Financial Aid available? How do I apply for Financial Aid?
Please visit the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Are scholarships available? How do I apply for them?
In addition to the SDSU Aztec Scholarships, the School of ENS offers scholarships.
How long does it take to complete the degree?
The MS Exercise Physiology and MS Nutritional Sciences programs take two years to complete, and the Concurrent MS Exercise Physiology and MS Nutritional Sciences program takes three years to complete. ENS master’s degree students must complete their degrees within seven years.
Does the ENS department offer doctoral degrees?
The School of ENS offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Can I visit before I come?
Visits are encouraged and can be arranged by emailing the School of ENS Graduate Advising Office at ensgrad@sdsu.edu. Students are also encouraged to contact and meet with potential faculty advisors. A current list of faculty members for each program can be found on the School of ENS Master of Science Programs pages. To arrange a campus tour, see the SDSU Tours & Events page.