Exercise and Nutrition Science

Program Overview
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Tuition & Aid

There’s never been a better time for health professionals in today’s world, and we know you want to set yourself apart. Approach health holistically by studying in a program that combines the interrelated fields of exercise science and nutrition.

Gain expertise on how the body moves, functions and is fueled. Explore how to improve quality of life and performance for a variety of populations. Learn from our passionate and experienced faculty, surrounded by our state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

Go on from here to have a lasting impact through a degree that is uniquely designed to accommodate your interests and abilities. Let us empower you— so that you can empower your community.

Program Foundations

The curriculum features three aspects:

Five core courses which all students take, offering advanced training in exercise physiology, nutrition and research
Electives chosen based on the interest and expertise of the individual student
A “culminating experience” which is either a thesis or practicum

This framework allows for maximum flexibility, allowing students to forge their own unique path in preparing for their career aspirations.

Concentrations

Research

EXNS Publications & Presentations

Publications

Townsend J.R. and others. Influence of Baseline Muscle Strength and Size Measures on Training Adaptations in Resistance-Trained Men. International Journal of Exercise Science. 2018; 11(4), 198.

Townsend J.R. and others. Polyphenol Supplementation Alters Intramuscular Apoptotic Signaling Following Acute Resistance Exercise. Physiological Reports. 2018; 20186(2).

Townsend J.R. and others. Resistance Exercise Elicits a Selective Mobilization of Monocyte Subsets: Effects of Polyphenol Supplementation. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise. 50(11), 2231-2241.

Townsend J.R. and others Resistance training does not induce uniform adaptations to quadriceps muscles. PLOS ONE. 2018. 13(8), e0198304.

Toohey J.C., Townsend J.R., Bender D., Johnson, S.B., Ruiz M.D., Toy A.M., Vantrease W.C. and others. The Effects of Probiotic (bacillus subtilis) Supplementation during Offseason Resistance Training in Female Division I Athletes. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2018.

Bender D., Townsend J.R., Heffington S.H., Henry R.N., Johnson K.D., Marshall A.C. and Vantrease W.C. Acute Beetroot Juice Administration Improves Peak Isometric Force Production in Adolescent Males. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2018.

Sapp P.A., Townsend J.R., Johnson K.D., Marshall A.C. and Vantrease W.C. The Effects of Dietary Manipulations on Ultrasound Assessment of Muscle Size and Quality. Journal of Exercise and Nutrition. 2018.

Townsend J.R., Bender D., Vantrease W.C., Toy A.M., and Johnson K.D. Effects of Probiotic (Bacillus subtilis DE111) Supplementation on Immune Function, Hormonal Status and Physical Performance in Division I Baseball Players. Sports. 2018; 6(3), 70.

Partida S., Marshall A.C., Henry R.N., Townsend J.R., and Toy A.M. Attitudes toward Nutrition and Dietary Habits and Effectiveness of Nutrition Education in Active Adolescents in a Private School Setting: A Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2018; 10(9), 1260.

Ruiz, M. D. (2017). A psychotheology of losing. Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure & Sport Studies, 4, 47-64.

Presentations

Vantrease W.C., Bender D., Johnson K.D. How Does Air Displacement Plethysmography and Direct Segmental Bioelectrical Impedance Compare in a University Student Population? 2018 Southeast ACSM Annual Conference. Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Sapp P.A., Townsend J.R., Marshall A.C., Johnson K.D., Vantrease W.C. The effect of dietary manipulations on ultrasonography derived measures of muscle architecture. 2018 SEACSM Annual Conference Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Partida S., Marshall A.C., Henry R.N., Toy A.M, Townsend J.R. Comparison of nutrition intervention techniques and their effectiveness on active high school and middle school students in a private school setting. 2018 SCAN Conference. Denver, CO.

Townsend J.R., Bender D, Vantrease W.C., Sapp P.A., Toy A.M., Woods C., Johnson K.D. The effect of probiotic supplementation on markers of immune and endocrine status in Division I baseball players. 2018 ISSN Conference, Clearwater, FL.

Johnson K.D., Vantrease W.C. Does a Push-Up Using the Spyder 360 ™ Elicit More Muscle Activation Compared with a Standard Pushup? 2018 ACSM Annual Conference Minneapolis, MN.

Partida S., Marshall A.C., Henry R.N. Attitude toward nutrition, dietary habits and nutrition knowledge of active adolescents in a private school setting. American Society for Nutrition Annual Conference 2018.

Ruiz, M. D. (2018). A conversation on race, religion, and college sports: Lessons from a university's recent dilemma. In Effects of Religiousness and Spirituality in High Pressure Contexts – Poverty, Prejudice, and Performance Symposium. Conference proceedings of the 2018 American Psychological Association Convention, San Francisco, CA.

Ruiz, M. D. & Henry, R. (2018). The relationship between body composition, body image, and attitudes towards obesity. Conference proceedings of the 2018 Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sports Studies Annual Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.

Ruiz, M. D., Robichaud, K., & Townsend, J. (2017). The differences in attitudes towards obesity between Christian teenagers and Christian adults. Conference proceedings of the 2017 Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sports Studies Annual Conference, Nashville, TN.

Ruiz, M. D. (2016). A psychotheology of losing. Conference proceedings of the Inaugural Global Congress on Christianity & Sport, York, United Kingdom.

Egli, T. & Ruiz, M. D. (2016). Integrating Christianity into the sport psychology classroom: Practical applications. Conference proceedings of the 2016 Christian Society for Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Annual Conference, Santa Barbara, CA.

Ruiz, M. D. & Egli, T. (2016). Expectations and Christian-athletes: What happens when our favorite Bible verses work against us? Conference proceedings of the 2016 Christian Society for Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Annual Conference, Santa Barbara, CA.

Grants

Deerland Enzymes Inc. awarded Dr. Jeremy Townsend a grant for “The Effect of ProHydrolase® on the Amino Acid, Intramuscular Anabolic Signaling, and Endocrine Response to Resistance Exercise in Trained Males”.

Facilities

Our EXNS program is housed in the newly renovated Hughes Center and features 5 state-of-the-art lab spaces to take your learning to the next level. Get your training on premier equipment like the DEXA and in the brand new hyperbaric chamber. Spend time learning everything from force-plate analysis to muscle biopsy research in the Human Performance Lab. Additional resource spaces include a Foods Lab and Gross Anatomy Lab.

Admissions Requirements

Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in either Exercise Science or Nutrition
Or 6-8 hours in biology; 6-8 hours in anatomy and physiology; 6-8 hours in chemistry; one nutrition course; one exercise physiology course (recommended but not required).
Official transcripts
GRE score: a minimum combined score in the 50th percentile or above is required
2.75 cumulative grade point average on all undergraduate work (higher science GPA is desirable)
Three letters of recommendation: one academic, one professional and one personal
Two essays (no more than 500 words each) from the following four topics: Statement of Faith, Personal philosophy on exercise/nutrition, Career aspirations, Your purpose and passion
Interview (phone, Skype, in person) for finalists

Transcripts and forms should be mailed to:
Graduate Studies in EXNS
Lipscomb University
One University Park Drive
Nashville TN 37204-3951

Sports Dietitian (RD)

Courses

Fall
Core
	EXNS 5003: Advanced Exercise Physiology
	EXNS 5013: Exercise & Nutrition Strategies
	EXNS 5063: Research Methods I: Biostatistics (formerly Biostatistics)
Electives
	EXNS 5123: Physiological Adaptations to Exercise Training
	EXNS 5273: Macronutrients
	EXNS 5473: Eating Disorders
	EXNS 5453: Exercise Eval. & Pre. for Special Populations (Fall Even)
	EXNS 5143: Exercise Psychology (Fall Odd)
Culminating Experience
	EXNS 530V: Practicum
	EXNS 5900: Comprehensive Exams
	EXNS 5423: Thesis I
	EXNS 5433: Thesis II

Spring
Core
	EXNS 5103: Research Methods II: Design & Analysis (formerly Research Design & Data Analysis)
	EXNS 5203: Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry
Electives
	EXNS 5143: The Business of Exercise & Nutrition (formerly Program Planning in EXNS)
	EXNS 5043: Exercise & Sport Nutrition
	EXNS 5233: Nutrition & Exercise in Obesity Treatment
	EXNS 5263: Micronutrients
	EXNS 5053: Exercise Stress Testing & EKG (Spring Even)
	EXNS 5073: Dietary & Nutritional Supplementation (Spring Odd)
Culminating Experience
	EXNS 530V: Practicum
	EXNS 5900: Comprehensive Exams
	EXNS 5423: Thesis I
	EXNS 5433: Thesis II

Summer
Core
	EXNS 5013: Exercise & Nutrition Strategies
	EXNS 5063: Research Methods I: Biostatistics (formerly Biostatistics)
Electives
	EXNS 5133: Lab Techniques
	EXNS 5443: Advanced Strength & Conditioning Methods
	EXNS 5253: Nutrition Across the Lifespan
	EXNS 5463: Advanced Medical Nutritional Therapy (Summer Odd)
	EXNS 5213: Health Promotion & Disease Prevention (Summer Even)
Culminating Experience
	EXNS 530V: Practicum

Other elective courses outside the EXNS program:

Students who have not previously transferred credit from the dietetic internship or another graduate school may apply up to six hours from the Lipscomb Graduate business and/or psychology programs toward the EXNS degree:

BU 6303 - Health Services Management
BU 6323 - The U.S. Health Care System
BU 6803 - Sports Management
BU 6813 - Marketing, Fundraising and Public Relations in Sports
BU 6823 - Sports Law and Risk Management
PSFT 5903 - Introduction to Counseling Skills

Note:

Graduate business and/or psychology program tuition applies if the student takes these courses.

Tuition & Aid

Tuition and fees for the EXNS program are as follows:

36-hour program / $985 per credit hour*
* Cost per credit hour subject to change

Types of Aid

Assistantships and Scholarships

Graduate assistant positions are available throughout the university. Not all positions are available every year, so contact the individuals listed below to determine availability and eligibility.

EXNS (Teaching, lab, and research assistant) – Matthew Ruiz
EXNS (Registered dietitian, Lipscomb sport nutrition) – Ann Toy
Campus recreation – Kyle Dickerson
Athletic training/sports medicine – William Ness
Strength & Conditioning – John Hudy
Baseball – Jeff Forehand
Basketball (Men’s) – Casey Alexander
Basketball (Women’s) – Greg Brown
Cross Country/Track & Field – Bill Taylor
Golf (Men’s) – Will Brewer
Golf (Women’s) – Jesse Lawley
Soccer (Men’s) – Charles Morrow
Soccer (Women’s) – Kevin O'Brien
Softball – Kristin Ryman
Tennis (Men’s) – Geoff Hernandez
Tennis (Women’s) – Jamie Aid
Volleyball (Women’s) – Brandon Rosenthal

Student Loans

As a graduate student, you are still able to file the FAFSA—and you should! By filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you may be eligible for a number of student loans.

Federal Stafford Loan

A borrower must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment for at least six semester hours and must be working toward a degree or certificate. Loans must be actively accepted in myLipscomb in order to be applied as an expected payment to the student bill. Stafford Loans will not pay until the student has completed both Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note at studentloans.gov. Loans will not be credited to accounts until 30 days after classes begin or when a student begins the sixth credit hour, whichever comes last.

Graduate PLUS Loan

The Graduate PLUS Loan is available to independent graduate students. Both loans require credit approval by the Department of Education, as well as a FAFSA submission. Apply.

Private Loans

In addition to the federal loans outlined here, you may consider private loans made by banks and other financial institutions. It is recommended that private loans only be considered in instances where funding is needed in addition to any federal loans, as interest rates may be higher. Eligibility for these loans requires a credit check and students are often required to have a cosigner to qualify.

Veteran Aid/Yellow Ribbon Program

Through an agreement with the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Lipscomb University will guarantee some level of graduate tuition funding, applicable to all Lipscomb University graduate programs, for graduate students who qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Depending on program tuition rates, the graduate tuition funding may or may not cover the total tuition cost of the program.

The Yellow Ribbon Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post- 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses. View eligibility requirements.

Any questions concerning eligibility or benefits should be directed to the VA school-certifying official located in the lower level of Bennett Campus Center, Suite 140, or visit their website.

Contact Information

Graduate and Adult Admissions

Catherine Lillicrap
Admissions Recruiter for Health Sciences
615.966.5777 ext. 5777
Catherine.Lillicrap@lipscomb.edu

Kinesiology

Matthew Ruiz
Associate Professor of Kinesiology
615.966.5203 ext. 5203
Matthew.Ruiz@lipscomb.edu

College of Pharmacy

Michaela Gregory
Admissions Specialist and Graduate Program Assistant
615.966.5775 ext. 5775
Michaela.Gregory@lipscomb.edu

10:1

Student to faculty ratio

Networking

Both our deeply connected faculty and our experiential learning opportunities offer myriad ways for you to form relationships with leaders in the industry. These connections will serve and support you throughout your career.

Small Class Sizes

You’ll have opportunities to engage in meaningful discussion, receive one-on-one faculty mentorship and ask difficult questions in our small class sizes. Plus, you’ll feel supported in a tight-knit learning community.

Nashville

A big city. An even bigger opportunity. We consider Nashville an extension of our classroom, and as a leading city in many industries, that means you’ll gain experience and insight you won’t find anywhere else.

Our Faculty

Autumn Marshall

Chair, Nutrition and Kinesiology

Long-tenured Lipscomb faculty member in nutrition, extremely well-connected throughout the region in all things nutrition and dietetics.
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Jeremy Townsend

Assistant Professor of Kinesiology

Jeremy Townsend is currently an Assistant Professor in Exercise and Nutrition Science at Lipscomb University. He received his Bachelor's degree from Harding University where he was a captain of the...
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Laurel Littlefield

Assistant Professor of Kinesiology

Laurel Littlefield joined the Kinesiology department in 2018 as an associate professor. Prior to working at Lipscomb, Laurel was a faculty member at Lubbock Christian University from 2013 - 2018....
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Kent Johnson

Professor

Cofounder of EXNS program Long-tenured Lipscomb faculty member in exercise physiology, leads the cardiovascular laboratory, and is a fellow in the ACSM.
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Ruth Henry

Vice Chair, Kinesiology and Nutrition

Long-tenured Lipscomb faculty member in exercise science, she teaches the statistics and research courses.
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Matthew Ruiz

Associate Professor of Kinesiology

Professional expertise in sport, exercise and performance psychology.
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Career Paths

Exercise Physiologists

Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility.

Strength and Conditioning

These specialists conduct sport-specific testing sessions, design and implement safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs and provide guidance regarding nutrition and injury prevention based on scientific knowledge.

Wellness and Health Coaching

Wellness and Health coaches utilize evidence-based conversation, clinical interventions and strategies to empower client/patients to make healthy behavioral changes.

Nutritionists

Nutritionists are experts in the use of food and nutrition to promote health and manage disease. They advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal.

Exercise and Nutrition Science

Program Overview

Admissions Requirements

Courses

Tuition & Aid

Types of Aid

Networking

Small Class Sizes

Nashville

Our Faculty

Autumn Marshall

Jeremy Townsend

Laurel Littlefield

Kent Johnson

Ruth Henry

Matthew Ruiz

Career Paths

Exercise Physiologists

Strength and Conditioning

Wellness and Health Coaching

Nutritionists

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