Mission

The mission of the program is to prepare students with the essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for successful careers and servant leadership in the field of strength and conditioning. Upon successful completion of the program, students will hold membership in a national professional organization and be prepared to sit for relevant certification exams.

Admission Requirements

Minimum admission requirements for the Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning include:

• An academic transcript indicating an earned bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
• A minimum GPA of 2.5
• Evidence of successful completion of the following prerequisites:
  • Human Structure and Function or a related Human Anatomy and Physiology course
  • Exercise Physiology or a related course
  • Statistics or an Algebra course
• AED/CPR/First Aid certification (may be completed upon entering the program)

Application Procedures

1. Complete the online application.
2. Request official transcripts* be sent directly from previous institutions to admissions@harding.edu.
   *Note: Harding alumni and current students do not need to request Harding transcripts, as they are on file.
3. Request two recommendations:
   • One academic reference
   • One character reference
4. Submit a current resume.

Provisional Admission

Applicants with a GPA below 2.5 may appeal to the Strength and Conditioning Graduate Committee for provisional acceptance.

Academic Requirements

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 
• A grade of B or higher is required for both Internship I and Internship II.
• Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all professional curriculum courses. Any course with a grade below C must be remediated.
• A course may only be repeated once.
• A grade of C or lower in Strength and Conditioning Internship I or Strength and Conditioning Internship II will require repeating the course.

Remediation

Remediation involves the course coordinator developing a plan that includes:

• A remediation activity
• An assessment method
• A benchmark for successful completion
• A defined timeframe

If the student successfully completes remediation, the final grade will be changed to a C. No grade higher than a C can be earned through remediation. If the reassessment does not result in a C, the course must be repeated.

Academic Standing Policy

The Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to graduate. The following model is provided to ensure students’ successful and timely completion of the program:

Academic Warning

• 1-12 hours & less than 2.75 GPA
• 13-24 hours & less than 2.95 GPA
• 25 hours - graduation & less than 3.00 GPA 

Academic Probation

• 1-12 hours & less than 2.25 GPA
• 13-24 hours & less than 2.75 GPA
• 25 hours - graduation & less than 2.95 GPA

Academic Suspension

• Failure to remove the Academic Probation status in the following enrolled semester
• Failing a repeated course on the second attempt
• Failure to earn a grade of B or higher in a repeated Internship

Non-Academic Suspension

• Excessive absence or tardiness
• Violation of technology policies
• Violation of professional or ethical standards

Students under Academic Probation are not eligible to represent the University in extracurricular activities. Students who have been dismissed will be on Academic Suspension for one semester. During the suspension period, students will not be allowed to take any graduate classes. After the suspension is lifted, the student may return to classes under Academic Probation status. If a student receives a “failing” grade in any course during the first semester of enrollment, he or she may be dismissed from the program. The decision to dismiss a student for failure to meet the required standards of progress does not preclude the student from returning to Harding University in a later semester. In all cases, a second dismissal will be final.