Master of Applied Science

Location

Dunedin

Duration
18 months full-time; three years part-time
Delivery

Blended, distance delivery

Credits
180
Level
9
Start
February
Apply
Until start date
  • Location
    Intake
    Study breaks
  • Dunedin
    19 July 2021
    22 November 2021 - 25 February 2022
    4 October 2021 - 15 October 2021
    11 April 2022 - 29 April 2022
  • Dunedin
    21 February 2022
    4 July 2022 - 15 July 2022
  • Dunedin
    18 July 2022
    3 October 2022 - 14 October 2022

With specialties in Performance Analysis, Physical Conditioning or Exercise Leadership

Take your sport and exercise knowledge and skills to the next level with this qualification.

This programme will allow you to demonstrate mastery of theoretically and procedurally sophisticated subject matter through a body of scholarly applied work, which is presented in a public forum and supported by a project or thesis. This could form the basis of scholarly journal articles. The work will respond to societal needs, address practice from multiple perspectives and be positioned within a wider framework of academic and applied research.

This qualification prepares you for doctoral level study, an academic career or a lead sport or exercise management role.

Graduates of this programme can expect to gain employment as expert practitioners within a professional organisational setting. This may include government or non-government sport (performance analysis or physical conditioning), rehabilitation, exercise and wellness promotion, fitness industry roles and employee fitness. It's expected that graduates have created new knowledge in their studies and are leading the industry.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements 

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science at Level 8 OR equivalent, with an overall grade of B+ (75%), for admission to the Masters by Research, OR 
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science at Level 8 OR equivalent, with an overall grade of B+ in the final 60 credits OR an equivalent postgraduate qualification of 120 credits in a related area with an overall grade of B+, for admission to the Masters by Practice.
  • Exceptional applicants not meeting the qualification requirements, but who have appropriate documented professional experience, may also be considered for admission. 

English Language Requirements 

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Additional criteria

  • All applicants who are accepted must obtain a First Aid Certificate, and complete the requirements of the Children’s Act 2014 (including police vetting), prior to commencing classes.
  • An interview panel consisting of the Postgraduate Coordinator and relevant postgraduate supervisors will interview and select applicants. 

Covid-19 vaccination 

  • Whilst you don’t need to provide us with evidence of your vaccination status to study this programme, please note that some placement providers may ask you for this.
Selection criteria

Where there are more applicants than places, an interview panel consisting a member of the Bachelor Leadership Team and relevant academic staff will interview and select applicants, with candidates prioritised on the basis of strength of academic record. 

Applicants who do not meet the entry or selection criteria will be directed to a path of study to help prepare them for application in the future. 

Pathways into this programme

Applicants without a base degree need to discuss options with the programme teaching team. Please email ebsTOO@op.ac.nz

Additional costs

Learners are expected to purchase a uniform ($200) - this is important for industry placements. In addition it is suggested that you have your own laptop/tablet that you are able to bring with you.

You will study

Within this programme you will chose one of the specialty areas: performance analysis, physical conditioning or exercise and health, these areas will have industry experience within them where you are applying the theory you are learning. In addition you will study a course in professional development which will prepare you to work within the industry and assist you to understand your learning needs. At this point you may choose to complete a research thesis to complete your Masters degree, this is known as a Masters by research. 

If you choose to continue with the course you will advance your learning in the specialty area and you will have learning in either a specialist topic that supports the industry or you can negotiate your learning around either research or industry that will provide the opportunity to deepen your learning in a specific issue. At the completion of this you may complete a 60 credit research project in industry to complete your Masters degree, this is known as a Masters by practice.

Your workload

This is a full-time programme of study and students are expected to complete 30-35 hours per week. This programme is taught with intensive blocks, online classes and industry placements.

Programme structure

Master of Applied Science (by Practice) 

Structure

Course

Level

Credits

18 months FT

36 months PT

Choose one of:

Performance Analysis

Physical Conditioning

Exercise Leadership 1

8

30

Professional Development

8

30

Choose one of:

Advanced Performance Analysis

Advanced Physical Conditioning

Exercise Leadership 2

8

30

Choose one of:

Negotiated study

Specialist topic in Sport Science and Exercise Leadership

8

30

Contemporary Issues

9

30

Placement Leadership

9

30

Master of Applied Science (by Research) 

Structure

Course

Level

Credits

18 months FT

36 months PT

Choose one of:

Performance Analysis

Physical Conditioning

Exercise Leadership 1

8

30

Choose one of:

Professional Development

Negotiated Study

8

30

Applied Research Methods

9

30

Thesis

9

90

Further study options

It is expected that graduates of the Master of Applied Science will be able to gain entry into doctoral level qualifications at tertiary institutions (dependant on meeting programme-specific entry criteria). Possible programmes include the Doctor of Professional Practice at Otago Polytechnic and PhD programmes at other institutions.

Links to useful websites
Student loans/allowances

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students only. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful. 

Recognition of prior learning

If you already have extensive knowledge and skills gained from practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process at Capable NZ. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification in the course of your life. Visit the Capable NZ website

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