Master of Science in Kinesiology, emphasis in:
Performance Physiology and Strength & Conditioning

The M.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Performance Physiology and Strength & Conditioning (PPSC) provides students with the scientific background and technical skills necessary to evaluate individual and team performance and to design sport-specific strength and conditioning programs to optimize athletic performance in high school, collegiate and professional athletic settings. This emphasis area also prepares students for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

This graduate program is designed to provide students with a high-quality, personalized educational experience supported by mentorship and hands-on training. We encourage all interested applicants to apply.

  • Level: Master's
  • Format: On-Campus
  • Credit Hours: 36 hours (Non-thesis)
  • Credit Hours: 36 hours (Thesis)

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Why you should choose our program

Faculty and preceptors dedicated to student success

Our results speak for themselves:

Student Enrollment
23
Graduation rate
61%
1st Year Rentention Rate
100%
2nd Year Rentention Rate
61%
CSCS Pass Rate
100%
Graduate Placement
79%
Students in Graduation Gowns

Scientist- Practitioner Model

You won’t choose between research and coaching. PPSC trains you to do both – simultaneously.

Three Affiliated Research Labs

Immediate access to Performance and Fatigue Lab, Thermo Lab, and the ION Lab — research opportunities most MS programs can’t offer. 

Small Cohort, Personalized Mentorship

Intimate class sizes mean faculty know you by name. Your development is tracked, guided, and customized. 

Plethora of Career Pathways

Whether your goal is a PhD, a pro team, or private sector — this program builds the foundation for all of it. 

CSCS Certification Alignment

100% pass rate. The curriculum is built around NSCA competency standards from day one. 

TAMU Athletics Access

Practicum placements within Texas A&M’s Division I athletic program — football, Olympic sports, and more. 

Curriculum

The PPSC emphasis area provides a non-thesis curriculum only.

Embedded in the curriculum are one or two semesters of Practicum coursework, which is completed for graduate course credit under the supervision of Coach Ashley Jackson, Dr. Bryan Mann, and Coach Bo Sandoval. In these practicum courses, students receive hands-on “practical” training working under the supervision of coaches with athletes in various Texas A&M University men’s and women’s sports.

These practicum courses require an application process and permission to enroll conditioned upon acceptance by the Sports Performance staff of the athletic department.

Application Process and Prerequisites

  • The process of acceptance may require a personal interview.
  • These Practicum procedures are under the domain of the Sports Performance staff in the Department of Athletics. A capstone internship experience with Texas A&M athletics or another sports performance setting – collegiate, professional, or private, either in Texas or out-of-state – may also be chosen for course credit.
  • Either non-thesis or thesis degree options may be chosen. Students typically take about two years to complete the program and graduate.
  • The curriculum also may prepare students for National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa), and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certifications.

Curriculum

  • Semester 1 — Foundation: Core coursework in exercise physiology, biomechanics, and research methods. Build your scientific framework.
  • Semester 2 — Application: Enter the lab and the field. Begin practicum with TAMU athletic programs. Start applying what you’ve learned.
  • Semester 3 — Specialization: Deepen your focus. Choose your track: athletic performance, research, tactical, or private sector. Advanced coursework + lab immersion.
  • Semester 4  — Capstone: CSCS preparation, comprehensive evaluation, and career launch. Graduate ready to compete for elite positions.

Tuition & Fees

For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance (COA), please visit our cost and tuition rates webpage (https://aggie.tamu.edu/billing-and-payments/cost-and-tuition-rates). This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated COA information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.
Tuition calculator
For the tuition calculator: You will choose “Graduate” at the top in the maroon and select “Education and Human Development” in the College or School drop-down menu. A full-time graduate student takes 9 hours.

Program Advisors

For more information, please email: knsm-grad@tamu.edu

Faculty

Kinesiology faculty prepare students as leaders and innovators in careers in the public education forum and exercise science.
View Kinesiology faculty

Frequently Asked Questions

I have further questions. Who can I contact?

The Graduate Advising Office is located on the first floor of the Gilchrist Building. Our office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

You can email us general questions at knsm-grad@tamu.edu.

Do you accept out-of-state applicants?

Yes, we accept in-state and out-of-state applicants.

Is there an opportunity for financial assistance?

Yes, there are opportunities for financial assistance through the following offices: Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid