Published on September 12, 2025 by Megan Winkler  
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Samford University’s School of Health Professions has added a new Master of Science in Performance and Applied Sport Science (MSPASS). Housed within the school’s Department of Kinesiology, this one-year, 35-credit hour graduate degree will prepare students for careers in sport science, focusing on using scientific data and decision-making to enhance athletic performance, optimize recovery and reduce injury risk. The program is now accepting applicants for its inaugural cohort to start in the fall 2026 term.  

The degree combines in-person classroom instruction with 480 hours of supervised field experience. Graduate students will gain hands-on training in sport- and health-based facilities, developing advanced skills in performance optimization, athlete monitoring and data analysis. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct research and share findings across a variety of athletic settings.PASSlight.webp

“This program will expand our current departmental vision to cultivate exceptional Christian leaders specifically in performance and applied sport science through a graduate degree,” said John Petrella, chair of the Department of Kinesiology. 

Through coursework and practical training, students will learn to design evidence-based programs for individuals and teams, gain experience using wearable devices and athlete monitoring systems and become proficient in analyzing data to improve outcomes and reduce injuries. 

“Students will use state-of-the-art equipment, including force platforms, velocity monitoring devices and GPS systems in a variety of sport settings,” said associate professor Tyler Williams. “In addition to collecting data, graduate students will learn how to organize, manage and visualize it within advanced data management platforms.” 

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As one of the newest degrees at Samford, the MSPASS will be among the few graduate degrees in the nation to integrate eligibility requirements for nationally recognized certification within a master’s program. Graduates will be prepared to sit for the Certified Performance and Sport Scientist exam (CPSS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. 

Graduate students will also receive personalized mentorship from faculty and have access to state-of-the-art facilities. In addition, the program will emphasize Christ-centered leadership, ethics, vocational calling and professional development, reflecting the mission of the School of Health Professions and the principle of 1 Peter 4:10, which encourages using gifts to serve others. 

“We are excited to have the privilege of teaching, training and mentoring these graduate students to make a positive impact in the lives of others through this new graduate degree,” said Alan Jung, dean of the School of Health Professions. 

Learn more about the Master of Science in Performance and Applied Sport Science and apply today. 

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second-highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.