Description

Position Description: Graduate Student Fellowships & Assistantships in Wellness, Strength & Conditioning, and Teaching/Research for the 2026-2027 academic year.  

General Information:  The graduate fellowships and assistantships are awarded to 1st year students for the Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Science at Ithaca College. To be considered, you must be admitted to the Exercise and Sport Sciences graduate program in the Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training. Positions are available for full-time matriculated graduate students (MS degree only). More information about the Master of Science Exercise and Sport Science degree program can be found here: https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-health-sciences-and-human-performance/graduateprograms/master-science-exercise-and-sport-sciences

Requirements

Qualifications:  

1) Strength & Conditioning Fellowship: certification for the CSCS by the NSCA, SCCC by the CSCCa, &/or USAW.  

2) Wellness Assistantship: experience in wellness/fitness industry and coursework in personal training or similar, certifications preferred.  

3) Teaching/Research Assistantship: coursework in at least two of the following courses: biomechanics, exercise physiology, foundations of exercise science, strength & conditioning, sport psychology and/or experience working on a scientific research project.

Responsibilities: Graduate student assistants report directly to the Wellness Clinic Director/ Manager, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, or Professor, as appropriate based on position awarded. Graduate student assistants work a maximum of 20 hours/week. For more information on the specifics of assistantship assignments, please contact the graduate program chair Candace Receno, Ph.D. at creceno@ithaca.edu.  

Award: Part-tuition scholarships (applied to the 1st year of study) plus stipends for working 20 hours/week in the Fall and Spring semesters ($12,800) during your 1st year of study are available through our Wellness and Teaching Assistantships. Part-tuition scholarships (applied to the 1st year of study) and positions as a graduate student strength & conditioning coach working 20 hours/week in the Fall and Spring semesters (under current student worker payrate) through the Athletics Department are available through our Strength & Conditioning Fellowship. Stipends for working 20 hours/week in the Fall and Spring semesters ($12,800) during your 1st year of study are available through our Research Assistantships.

Based on performance, students working in wellness or athletics are eligible to be hired to continue their work as student employees during their 2nd year. Teaching and Research Assistantships are a 1-year position, but students can find campus employment in other offices/programs for their 2nd year. The MS can be completed in 16 months (non-thesis) or twoyears (thesis).  

Application procedures:  You must apply and be accepted to the M.S. program in Exercise and Sport Sciences to be considered for any assistantship. On your admission application, identify that you are applying for a fellowship/assistantship and provide the additional requested materials within the online application process. To start the application process, go to the Ithaca College graduate admissions website (link enclosed).