How to Apply

Begin Your Journey to a Career in High-Performance Sport

Penn State’s Master of Professional Studies in High Performance Sport (HPS) program is ideal for individuals seeking leadership roles in high-performance sport, sport science, strength and conditioning, athlete development, and human performance environments. Applicants should be motivated, collaborative, and committed to applying science in intensive, elite sports settings.

Program-Specific Requirements

Once your application is processed by the Graduate School, faculty members in the Master's of High Performance Sport program will review the following program-specific materials:

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant field, such as sport science, exercise science, kinesiology, nutrition, biology, psychology, data science, or a related discipline.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• A current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
• Foundational coursework in areas including anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, psychology, statistics, human nutrition, motor learning, and exercise science.
• A personal statement describing your career goals, relevant experiences, and alignment with the mission of the Human Performance Science program.
• Three letters of recommendation (academic, professional, or research-related).
• Demonstrated exposure to or experience in human performance, such as high-level athletic participation, coaching, applied sport science, or related professional settings.
• Optional qualifications, such as professional certifications (e.g., CSCS), coaching licenses (e.g., USAW, USATF), or prior research experience, are highly encouraged.

Ready to Apply

Take the next step toward a career in high-performance sport by emailing the program's director, Andrew Nelson (dan5171@psu.edu), to learn more about the program and the application process.