The goal of the Exercise Physiology program is to develop new knowledge in the areas of exercise training, exercise metabolism, bone metabolism, body composition, weight management, and fitness. The mission of the Exercise Physiology Graduate Program is to train graduate students to provide leadership in educational, medical, community, and research settings. The graduate program is housed in the Dept. of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology and administered by the College of Human Environmental Sciences, the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and the School of Medicine.
The Exercise Physiology PhD Emphasis Area is designed to provide advanced training in both the basic and applied aspects of exercise, physical activity and physical inactivity. The curriculum has a scientific basis with core courses in exercise physiology, nutrition, biochemistry, and physiology. Currently, the research focus is to examine the mechanisms by which physical activity levels and/or exercise modulate risk and development of obesity, type 2 diabetes, as well as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases using both animal models and human subjects, and to be able to translate the findings into the clinical or applied setting.
September 2025
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
2-64 Agriculture Building,
COLUMBIA,
Missouri,
65211, United States
Student applicants without a MS degree in a related field wishing to pursue a PhD may be admitted into the graduate program on a provisional basis as a MS candidate.
Student applicants with a MS degree in a related field may be admitted directly into the graduate program as a doctoral candidate.
Accepted applicants must have a 3.00 undergraduate GPA and a 3.5 graduate GPA.
Prerequisites: All students are required to have completed general chemistry and biology. Students interested in the Emphasis in Exercise Physiology are required to have completed: anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology. Students interested in the Emphasis in Nutritional Sciences are required to have completed: biochemistry (2 semesters), organic chemistry (with lab), human nutrition.
Minimum English Language Proficiency scores are required for international applicants (TOEFL greater than or equal to 100; IELTS greater than or equal to 7; Duolingo greater than or equal to 115).
Application Deadlines: Fall semester: December 30; Spring semester: August 30
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.