Our Master's program is built around a single specialization: "Sports and Health Engineering".

Students take courses with a research focus, such as Research Methodology and Training, and Advanced and Specialized Uses of Digital Tools, as well as professional components, covering topics like assessing target audience resources, designing interventions in Adapted Physical Activity (APA), planning APA programs, and project development and management. Some courses allow us to explore both dimensions (Scientific Approaches to Adapted Physical Activity, Psychology, Cognition and Physical Exercise, and Neuromuscular Impairments and Reconditioning). Within the same program, these two aspects coexist and can be strengthened by choosing an optional course in semester 3 and by completing an internship in the first and second years of the Master's program (overall, 70% of students complete a professional internship and 30% a research internship).

The aim of this program is to offer students with a research focus enhanced skills development related to research tools, topics, and the realities of practical issues in Adapted Physical Activity and Health (APAS). For students with a professional focus, this immersion in the research environment allows them to develop research-specific skills that they can then apply to their professional practice. In both cases, we offer students training in functional assessment, training methods, and access to the latest scientific findings in the field of adapted physical activity.

Educational objectives:

• To be able to identify digital uses and to use advanced digital tools autonomously for professions in the field.
• Strengthen, mobilize, and integrate highly specialized scientific knowledge
• To know the research methodology and be able to apply it to the optimization of programs in APA-S.
• Ability to communicate for training or knowledge transfer purposes in French and English
• To be able to lead a project (design, management, team coordination, implementation and administration, evaluation, dissemination) that may require multidisciplinary skills within a collaborative framework.
• Knowing how to build and optimize a protocol for assessing the resources and skills of people with disabilities and/or specific needs.
• To be able to design, plan and coordinate APAS intervention projects

Training opportunities:

At the national level, the Master's program in Adapted Physical Activity (APA) was developed based on the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP). This APA Master's program also aligns with the institution's educational priorities in several ways:

• Success rates in the Master's program in Adapted Physical Activity (APAS) have increased since the period prior to the evaluation by the High Council for Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (Hcéres), rising from an average of 74% in the second year (23/31) to 88% (38/43) during the most recent evaluation period. The percentage of employed graduates in the field of APAS has increased from 48% (15/31) to 63% (21/33) (survey conducted in late 2023/early 2024).
• Our training aims to train professionals who are aware of the regional needs for addressing local health issues, chronic diseases that are very present in Reunion Island, or global challenges through training focused on the growth of these populations, as well as the design of health sport projects and programs for all and sport on prescription in all the municipalities of the island, supported by the DRAJES and the ARS, which want harmonization and increased competence of this offer; the training of APA-coordinator teachers is more relevant than ever in the territory.
• The training is partially organized around a competency-based approach, promoting the application of knowledge in real-world situations and practical application.
• The European action programs for student mobility (ERASMUS) and ERASMUS+ allow us to open up to the international community, by welcoming Erasmus students, but also by offering students who join this Master's program the opportunity to spend a semester outside the country.

In addition to strengthening the fundamentals of the Adapted Physical Activity Instructor (EAPA) profession, this Master's program in Adapted Physical Activity (APAS) has a strong research and engineering component, allowing students to establish a solid scientific and technical foundation in the field of health and sport and adapted physical activity. Furthermore, an optional module provides a more professional focus by enhancing training in the design and management of health and sport projects, as well as in team coordination.

This Master's degree offers strong employability in a context of strong development of health and sport programs for all and sport on prescription, requiring an increase in skills in this offering to supervise and coordinate these programs.

The diploma enjoys national and European recognition, thanks to its registration in the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP) and its integration into Europass. It is also the subject of a job description in the directory of health and autonomy professions within the public hospital service.

Total hours worked: 704 hours

Our Master's program is structured around a single track: Sports and Health Engineering. The teaching units are organized across three semesters, aiming to develop a maximum of five skill blocks. Semester 4 is entirely dedicated to the final internship and the preparation of the thesis.

Some EUs have a connotation research  (like the EUs) Research Methodology and Training, Advanced and specialized uses of digital tools…) others a more Professional (Modules from Block 5 addressing the assessment of public resources, from Block 7: Engineering of intervention in APA, APA Planning, or even the EUs " Project development and management »…). Some course units allow us to address these two dimensions (Scientific approaches to adapted physical activity, Psychology, Cognition and physical exercise or, Neuromuscular deficiencies and reconditioning…Thus, within the same course, two components are defined by the choice of an optional course unit in semester 3 and the internship chosen in 1^st year and 2^rd Master's year. The objective of this organization is to offer students with a "research" focus enhanced skills development regarding tools, research topics, and the realities of field issues in Adapted Physical Activity (APA). Regarding students with a research focus  professional, This immersion in the world of research allows them to develop research-specific skills that they then apply to their professional practice. In both cases, we offer students training in functional diagnosis, training methods and planning, project management, and the opportunity to acquire the latest scientific findings in the field of adapted physical activity.

The skills acquired during this training are in line with those of the RNCP record 

• Master's 1 internship: 300 hours
• Master's 2 internship: 600 hours

Registration fees are set annually by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space and are available on our institution's website: Register at the University of Reunion

• To have a good academic level, or even to demonstrate progress during higher education.
• The coherence between the candidate's academic and/or professional project and the training program must be demonstrated.
• The candidate's motivation for joining this particular Master's program must be explained.
• Skills expected in the supervision and planning of adapted physical activities for people with specific needs
• Promoting the diversity of one's experiences and career path

• Particular attention will be paid to the grades from the different years of the post-baccalaureate course, especially in scientific disciplines.
• This expectation will be assessed through the cover letter.
• Validation of one or more internships or professional experience in the field of adapted physical activity
• The Curriculum Vitae (CV) and the cover letter will allow the candidate to highlight the specific features of their career path

APAS certification strongly recommended

Depending on the student's situation, applications for admission to the first year of the Master's program (M1) follow three specific procedures (the national platform MonMaster, Etudes en France, Validation of Acquired Experience). For more information, please consult the university's student services page. Enroll in the first year of a Master's program

Baccalaureate + 3 or equivalent

Holders of a STAPS degree or a physiotherapy diploma.

25 seats

The admission dates for the first year of the Master's degree (M1) are set nationally each year and are available on the Mon Master platform (link:https://monmaster.gouv.fr/formation ).

For admission to the second year of the Master's program (M2), the schedule is determined by the institution. It is available on the academic affairs page of the university website: Re-enrolling students (link: https://www.univ-reunion.fr/choisir-sa-formation/inscriptions/etudiants-en-reinscription/ )

Master 1: 50 to 80%

Master 2: 90 to 100%

Diploma: 88%

Our 2024 survey shows that 80% of students who validated their 2^rd Master's graduates find employment within two years, with 65% finding it within the year following their Master's degree. Among these students, one in two integrates into the professional world of APAS, with one-third on permanent contracts (CDI) or as civil servants, one-third as self-employed individuals, and one-third with fixed-term contracts (CDD).

Pursuit of a doctorate: 10 to 20% of graduates depending on the year

The sectors of activity and types of employment targeted by this training correspond to those listed in the RNCP record

• Manager responsible for training and educational and social organizations for people with specific needs
• Physical activity and health officer in the local government civil service.
• Personal coach (rehabilitation, reconditioning, retraining)
• Adapted Physical Activity (APA) program coordinator in specialized settings (community or hospital environment)
• Director and manager of a private organization focused on rehabilitation, reconditioning, and integration through Adapted Physical Activity (APA).
• Director of the sports and health division
• Manager in the Regional Health Agencies (ARS)
• Consultant to rehabilitation and reconditioning centers
• Adaptive Adaptive Technology Engineer
• Manager in a Research and Development (R&D) department in APA