The Best Online Master's Degrees in Human Performance

Liberty University's School of Health Sciences prepares students for careers in the medical field, in medical offices and helping others reach peak physical performance. With a focus on Christian faith, students learn how to serve God through service to others.

Designed for students who are passionate about health and wellness, the online Master of Science in Human Performance program focuses on biomechanics, exercise physiology, sports nutrition, research methods and statistics.

Students can tailor the degree to their specific goals by completing one of four specializations: Nutrition, Community Physical Activity, Clinical or Human Performance.

Credit requirements: 35 credit hours

Selection of core courses:

• Advanced Exercise Physiology
• Statistical Analysis in Exercise Science
• Research Methods in Exercise Science
• Advanced Biomedical Analysis
• Performance Nutrition for the Physically Active

Students also must complete two weeklong intensive courses on the Lynchburg, Va., campus.

Accreditation: Liberty University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The College of Health and Human Performance's curriculum focuses on aspects of daily life. The college encourages collaboration as an academic community to enhance human performance, influence healthy living and enrich lives.

Designed for working professionals, the Online Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology program focuses on research in athletic injury prevention, physiology of exercise, biomechanics, sport and exercise psychology, and motor control and learning. Students can focus their students within specific content areas of clinical or sport applications.

The program prepares graduates for careers in coaching, exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, and sport physiology, among others.

Credit requirements: 30 credit hours

Selection of core courses:

• Physiological Bases of Exercise and Sport Sciences
• Human Pathophysiology for the Exercise Sciences
• Research methods
• Biomechanics of Human Motion
• Assessment in Exercise Science
• Sport Psychology
• Ergogenic Aids

Accreditation: The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Department of Health and Human Performance offers specialized programs featuring innovative hands-on experiences, which prepare students to attend to the needs of others. Its programs emphasize practical learning experiences through clinical experiences, internships and classes, as well as flexibility and student resources.

The Online Master of Science in Health and Human Performance program allows students to further the development of their technical, conceptual, communication and analytical skills related to careers in health and human performance. Students can tailor their degree by combining electives to form a concentration.

Credit requirements: 32 credit hours

Selection of core courses:

• Motor Learning
• Physiological Analysis of Motor Activity
• Biomechanics
• Concepts and Objectives
• Research Class

Students must complete a comprehensive exam before graduation.

Accreditation: Fort Hays State University is accredited by the North Central Association for Colleges and Schools.

The Online Master's in Health and Human Performance degree program emphasizes helping others achieve greater levels of overall health and fitness performance. Curriculum focuses on all aspects of physical health as they relate to human performance through nutrition, psychology, statistics, health and fitness testing, and program design.

Students complete concentrations in either Coaching and Fitness Leadership or Health and Fitness Promotion.

Credit requirements: 30 credit hours

Selection of core courses:

• Research Methods
• Applied Nutrition
• Applied Statistics
• Health and Fitness Psychology
• Exercise Physiology

Accreditation: The University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Sam Houston University's Department of Kinesiology offers undergraduate degrees in athletic training, applied exercise science, human performance and wellness management, clinical exercise science, physical education teacher education, and kinesiology, and graduate degrees in sport management and sport and human performance.

Designed to advance students' understanding of relationships among exercise, movement and skills in the contexts of learning, development, training and rehabilitation, the Master of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport and Human Performance degree prepares graduates for careers in personal training, college coaching, commercial and corporate wellness, and more.

The curriculum combines clinical and practical implications of research and theory.

Credit requirements: 30-36 credit hours

Selection of core courses:

• Youth Fitness
• Applied Research Methods
• Advanced Biomechanics
• Significance of Motor Learning
• Exercise in Critical Populations

In lieu of additional coursework, students may choose to complete a thesis or practicum, and all students must complete a comprehensive exam.

Accreditation: Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as minors and certificates. Its program options include exercise science, dance, hospitality management, recreation services, and more.

Its Online Master of Science: Human Performance and Wellness Emphasis is designed to prepare students for careers in physical education, sports, wellness and recreation. Students gain real-world experience through a required internship.

Credit requirement: 32 credit hours

Core courses:

• Technology and Instrumentation in Human Performance
• Advanced Exercise Physiology
• Biomechanics

Students can choose to complete a thesis or advanced coursework.

Accreditation: Pittsburg State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The College of Health Sciences offers programs in disciplines that emphasize health promotion, education, maintenance and restoration. The college encourages the role holistic health plays in the quality of life both for individuals and a community.

Designed to help students gain additional skills and knowledge as a health educator, the Online Master of Science in Health and Human Performance with a concentration in Health Promotion program includes courses in kinesiology as well as health promotion. Students complete a capstone project as well as either a thesis of significant project in a relevant professional setting.

Credit requirements: 36 credit hours

Selection of core courses:

• Research Methods Kinesiology
• Administrative Health and Human Services
• Health Program Planning
• Community Health Assessment/Intervention
• Health Communication and Social Marketing
• Epidemiology

Accreditation: Georgia College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The Department of Health and Human Performance promotes a learning environment in which students can increase their knowledge, values and skills in health and movement science. The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs.

Designed to prepare graduates for careers in public health departments, healthcare facilities, colleges, non-profit organizations or private businesses, the Online Master of Science in Health and Human Performance with concentration in Public Health Education program focuses on developing skills and knowledge needed to promote wellness and improve community health. The curriculum includes courses in research, grant writing, epidemiology, and statistics, among others.

Credit requirements: 30 credit hours

Selection of core courses:

• Foundations in Health Education
• Administration for Health Educators and Managers
• Community Organizing in Public Health
• Epidemiology and Vital Statistics
• Law, Policy and Advocacy

Accreditation: Austin Peay State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The School of Health Sciences prepares students for careers in nursing, exercise and fitness, healthcare, and overall public health. Its programs combine research, theory and practical application.

The program helps students hone their critical-thinking skills as well as their knowledge of scientific principles needed to help others optimize sports performance and reach health goals.

Students can tailor their degree with three concentrations - Exercise Science and Human Performance, General, and Health and Wellness Management.

Credit requirements: 36 semester hours

Selection of core courses:

• Sport Psychology
• Advanced Exercise and Sport Physiology
• Motor Learning
• Statistic for Sports and Health Sciences
• Advanced Methods of Strength and Conditioning

Students also complete a capstone course.

Accreditation: American Public University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The College of Education and Professional Studies offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including those in business administration, industrial technology, kinesiology, and homeland security.

The Online Master of Science in Health and Human Performance provides students with an evidence-based approach toward improved fitness and health, and advanced understanding of how to prevent long-term disease through lifestyle intervention. The program follows an accelerated format and features lecture, practical experience, internships and discussion.

Credit requirements: 33

Selection of core courses:

• Research Methods
• Physiological Basis of Human Behavior
• Issues in Sports Law
• Group Dynamics
• Health and Human Behavior
• Neurological Basis for Motor Learning and Control

Accreditation: Sul Ross State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation provides students with knowledge of different forms of physical activity through concepts of space awareness, body awareness, effort and relationships.

The Online Master of Science in Sports Conditioning & Performance (MSSCP) degree program features an innovative approach to meeting the needs of personal trainers, coaches, physical editors and physical therapists, among others. The degree combines extensive online course work and three intensive summer courses. The MSSCP Program is a National Strength and Conditioning Association Educationally Recognized Program (ERP).

Credit requirements: 32 credits

Selection of core courses:

• Foundations of Sport Conditioning
• Designing Resistance Training Programs
• Evaluation in Sport Fitness
• Resistance Training Technique
• Introduction to Sport Science Research and Statistics

Accreditation: Southern Utah University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Logan University is a world-renowned health education leader--known for academic excellence and innovative programs. The university offers chiropractic and a host of online health sciences programs.

The Online Master of Science in Nutrition and Human Performance curriculum blends research and clinical applications. Students learn to analyze health status and diet, assess nutrition deficiencies and food allergies, and offer patients evidence-based lifestyle and nutrition recommendations.

Credit requirements: 36 to 39 credits

Examples of core courses include:

• Lifecycle Nutrition
• Natural Therapies: Herbology and Detox
• Research Methods in Healthcare
• Clinical Nutrition in Human Systems

Students also complete an internship or thesis.

Accreditation: Logan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Northwestern State University offers a range of online programming through eNSU, the state's first electronic campus.

Designed to prepare graduates to design, implement and evaluate health promotion programs. The curriculum includes coursework in health behavior, health issues and exercise prescription.

Credit requirements: 33 semester hours

Selection of core courses:

• Current Health Issues
• Health Behavior
• Strategies for Health Promotion
• Evaluation and Exercise Prescription in Health Promotion
• Implementing and Evaluation Promotion Programs

Students also complete a field study.

Northwestern State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Lasell College offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in liberal arts, sciences and professional fields of study. The college also allows working professionals to earn a number of degrees fully online.

The Online Master of Science in Nutrition for Human Performance program provides students with a strong knowledge of the impact of nutrition and diet on well-being and performance. The curriculum combines coursework in biochemistry, metabolism, wellness and health, with sound practical applications.

Credit requirements: 36

Selection of core courses:

• Chemistry of Nutrition
• Dietary Supplements and Human Health
• Nutrition Counseling Strategy and Behavior Change
• Applied Nutrition Across the Lifespan
• Ethical Issues in Healthcare Professions

Students also complete a capstone course.

Lasell College is accredited by the Commission on Institution of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.