Integrated Sports, Movement and Health Sciences (Integrative Sport-, Bewegungs- und Gesundheitswissenschaft) | Master

Today’s society is increasingly aging and at the same time lacks exercise. Thus, health-promoting physical activity gains more and more importance. The physiological as well as mental influence factors have an effect on the mobility of humans. The aim of an interdisciplinary oriented sport, movement and health science is to create theoretically driven and evidence-based interventions with regard to the individual and population-related health.

The master’s course in "Integrative Sport, Movement and Health Sciences" is, above all, characterized by its orientation on research-based classes and projects. Students consolidate their specialized knowledge received during their bachelor studies, expand their analytical skills and develop their methodological expertise. The program focuses on health and sport science related knowledge in the area of therapy, prevention and rehabilitation.

Moreover, it is concerned with:

• the implementation of movement in everyday life as a positive effect on health
• the enabling and maintenance of health from a biological and social perspective
• the development and evaluation of intervention possibilities
• recent German and English specialized literature

A central aspect is the acquisition of scientific competences in research-based projects. The integrative approach is concerned with medical and scientific aspects as well as social and behavioral sciences. Thus, it also includes physical, psychological and social health.

The main focus of this interdisciplinary master's program is on empirical and evaluative competences that will enable you to derive and evaluate concrete and well-founded therapeutic interventions for their appropriateness in individual cases or in groups.

This will enable you to take up professional activities in non-university settings of health-related institutions, such as hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, health centers, sports associations, as well as in the fields of sports medicine, prevention, therapy and rehabilitation, or health promotion for municipalities, federal states, clubs, associations, and health insurance companies.  With your work, you will make a significant contribution to health promotion among the population and thus to the positive development of society. In addition to activities in non-university settings, you will also be qualified for further scientific qualifications (doctorate) and positions at higher education institutions and research institutes. 

Prerequisites for Admission to the Master’s Program

The program is designed for anyone with an interest in research projects and project-oriented education in the field of sport, exercise, and health sciences.

In order to take part in this program you will have to complete your bachelor's studies or studies with an equivalent degree at either a university or an equivalent institution (in total 180 ECTS). Your bachelor's degree or equivalent has to be in either the area of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences and Medicine that is essential to the master's studies (e.g. qualified Sport Scientist, Bachelor in Sport Therapy, Bachelor in Physiotherapy). You may also be admitted if you have a teaching degree with the subject combination P.E. and Biology. In addition to your degree, you must prove knowledge in statistics and scientific research methods (6 ECTS) and knowledge in the area of Sport Sciences (36 ECTS) where 12 ECTS need to be in Sport and Health Sociology and Sport Psychology including Health Psychology, 12 ECTS in Training and Movement Sciences and 12 ECTS in Sport Medicine. Moreover, you are also qualified for this program with knowledge in statistics and scientific research methods (6 ECTS) and knowledge in the area of Psychology and Health Sciences (36 ECTS), if 12 ECTS have been reached in Health Psychology and 24 ECTS in Clinical Psychology or Diagnostics, or you demonstrate 12 ECTS in Health Psychology and 24 ECTS in Health Sciences including Public Health, Epidemiology and Demography.

Moreover, you will have to provide proof of a four-week internship (160 hours in total) in a relevant area and prove that your English language skills are on level B2 (as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Applicants must provide evidence of German language skills at least at level B2 (CEFR), e.g. through a German university entrance qualification or other qualifications, which you can find here.

More detailed information can be found in the program specific admissions regulations.

This four-semester master’s degree program requires the completion of 120 credit points. The program of study is organized modularly. Individual modules will be taught in English. The contents of the course will be taught thematically organized in different forms of study and teaching within each module as well as study achievements and examinations. For additional information, please consult the subject-specific Degree Regulations or the Departmental Advisory Office.

This description is based in part on information from the subject-specific regulations for a master’s degree in Integrated Sports, Movement and Health Sciences the University of Potsdam dated June 11, 2014.