Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science

Admission to a MS- HNES program is considered ONLY after all required application materials have been received and reviewed. The department admits students for fall semester only.

Minimum criteria and application information to be considered for admission for all paths (Plan A- thesis, Plan B- paper, Plan C- Internship/Capstone):

Note-meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee acceptance in the program. Workload limitations and capacity limits for the program or faculty mentor apply.

• The GRE is NOT required for this degree option. 
• GPA 3.0 or higher
• Undergraduate major of Dietetics, Exercise Science, or closely related field.
• Application to the NDSU Graduate School which includes: precise statement of purpose, official transcripts, and two professional letters of recommendation.
• In the application, please indicate what degree path (Plan A- Thesis, Plan B- Paper, Plan C- Internship/Capstone) you are primarily considering at this time. This path can change once admitted but provides the HNES department with preliminary information on your plan of study. A description of all the paths are described below.
• Please also note in your application if you are interested in a graduate assistantship position and indicate any previous experience with teaching, research, or other specific skills, abilities, or certifications you possess that would be relevant.

The Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences reserves the right to obtain additional information about the applicant's professional competence from qualified professionals. Admission decisions are based upon the predicted success of the applicant as a student and professional in the chosen field and are made only after considering all available data.

Financial Assistance

Both research and teaching assistantships may be available. Applications are considered on the basis of scholarship, potential to undertake advanced study and research, and financial need. To be considered for an assistantship, a completed Graduate School application, official transcripts, and three letters of reference must be received by the Graduate School by the program deadline. 

Graduate assistants receive a financial stipend for their work. In addition to the stipend, graduate assistants receive a graduate tuition waiver. Tuition waivers cover base tuition for NDSU graduate credits only. Students are responsible for differential tuition, student fees, and tuition for non-graduate level credits taken or Cooperative Education credits. Assistantships are available contingent upon current funding and faculty need.

Exercise/Nutrition Science Option

Plan A- thesis

The thesis typically includes a problem statement, a review of existing literature relevant to that problem, and the creation and presentation of new knowledge in providing a solution to the problem. Each student assembles a supervisory committee and pass a final oral examination in which the supervisory committee serves as the examining committee. Following a successful defense, the candidate will submit an electronic copy of their thesis to the Graduate School for review. This path is recommended for all students but specifically relevant for those interested in going on to further graduate work (PhD, DPT, MD). Total Credits 30.

Plan B- paper

The Plan B master's student will develop a thorough understanding of existing knowledge and the ability to apply that existing knowledge to a problem of interest. Note that under this degree, the new knowledge being created is limited, and this is the primary difference between the Plan A and Plan B degrees. The precise nature of the individual creative component is defined by the program. Examples of possible creative components include a comprehensive paper or an integrated field experience. Each student would assemble a supervisory committee and pass a final oral examination. Following a successful defense, the candidate will compose an executive summary or assemble other appropriate documentation as defined by the program to be submitted to the Graduate School. This submission to the Graduate School is to be approved by the student's supervisory committee. This path is recommended for all students but is specifically relevant for those who wish to obtain employment directly after completing their degree or who may still be interested in further graduate work but the scope of the next step is not yet defined.Total credits 30.

Plan C-Internship/Capstone

The Plan C is designed for programs in which a well-defined culminating experience is more important than is an individual creative component. Each program will define a culminating experience such as a capstone experience or some other approach to measure the candidate's understanding of the relevant material in the area (certification, internship experience/project).  Upon completion of the appropriate course work and culminating experience, the candidate must submit the examination documentation (if required by program) and an Application for Graduate Degree to Graduate School. This path is recommended for all students but is specifically relevant for those who are currently employed full-time in the community and are wishing to advance their current employment status (i.e., no further graduate work). Total credits 30.

Bryan Christensen, Ph.D.
University of Kansas, 2000
Research Interests: Biomechanics, Sports Psychology, Strength and Conditioning

Shannon David, Ph.D.
Ohio University, 2013
Research Interests: Patient-Clinician Relationship, Patient Oriented Outcomes

Nathan Dicks, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2019
Research Interests: Exercise Testing; Tactical Population Wellness, Fitness, and Performance

Marty Douglas, Ph.D.
Michigan State University, 2009
Research Interests: Adapted Physical Activity

Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 1994
Research Interests: Nutrition Education, Chronic Disease Prevention, Food Safety/Science

Kyle Hackney, Ph.D,
Syracuse University, 2013
Research Interests: Skeletal Muscle, Sarcopenia, Muscle Inactivity, Ergogenic Aids, Sports Performance

Elizabeth Hilliard, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2018
Research Interests: Breastfeeding Support and Promotion in the Workplace, and Infant and Child Feeding Practices

Ryan McGrath, Ph.D.
University of Idaho, 2015
Research Interests: Frailty and Health, Epidemiology of Aging, Physical Activity and Health for Aging Adults and Persons with Disabilities, Disability Prevention

Yeong Rhee, Ph.D.
Oklahoma State University, 1999
Research Interests: Chronic Disease Prevention, Functional Foods

Sherri Nordstrom Stastny, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2007
Research Interests: Nutrition for Healthy Aging

Bradford N. Strand, Ph.D.
University of New Mexico, 1988
Research Interests: Physical Education Curriculum and Instruction, Fitness Education, Sport Sociology

Seungmin Kang, Ph.D.
Louisiana State University, 2021
Research Interests: Sport for Development and Peace (SDP), Shared Leadership in SDP, Nonprofit Partnerships, Leadership and Human Resource Development

Kelsey Slater, Ph.D.
Mississippi State University, 2021
Research Interests: Sport for Development, Sport Diplomacy and Sport Communication

Joel White, Ph.D
University of Northern Colorado, 2009
Research Interests: Sport Marketing and Sport Finance

Matt Drescher, Ph.D
Indiana State University, 2023
Research Interest: Curricular Design, Healthcare Simulation, Ethics Education, and Advanced Manual Therapy

Joshua Wooldridge, Ph.D
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2023
Research Interest: Musculoskeletal Injury Help-Seeking Behaviors, Health Sciences Research Methods, Tactical Health and Human Performance