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Exercise Science, M.S.
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Program Overview

The field of exercise science continues to grow in importance as medical and scientific research emphasize the value of exercise for fitness and good health.

At Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, graduate students study exercise science as a multidisciplinary field that involves the active human body. Marshall University’s exercise science master’s degree program trains professionals to understand and improve the health of those with chronic diseases and conditions through therapeutic rehabilitation and the performance of athletes through strength and conditioning programs.

Graduate students can pursue one of the following concentrations for a master’s in exercise science. Full-time students can complete their master’s degree in four semesters and, on a part-time basis, in four to six semesters.

Exercise Science, M.S. at Marshall University can choose from three areas of emphasis:

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Program Highlights
Excellent Facilities

Exercise Science graduate students benefit from superior facilities and state-of-the-art equipment for exercise testing and evaluation for human performance and clinical training. MU labs are divided into human performance testing and application, and a physician-referred clinical exercise center and lab. These lab spaces and resources provide unmatched opportunities for training and learning, far outpacing other institutions nationwide that offer graduate programs in Exercise Science.

Hands-on Experience

Students enrolled in Marshall University’s master’s in Exercise Science degrees are able to gain hands-on experiences with exercise physiology and fitness assessment within Marshall’s state-of-the-art Exercise Physiology Laboratories (MUEPL) and through internship opportunities in applied or clinical exercise physiology.

Certification Opportunities

Marshall University students in the master’s program in Exercise Science are well-prepared to earn premier certifications in the profession:

Featured Courses
BSC 517 - Biostatistics
Statistical skills for biological/biomedical research, with emphasis on applications. Experimental design/survey sampling, estimation/hypothesis testing procedures, regression, AVONA, multiple comparisons. Implementation using statistical software such as SAS, BMDP.
ESS 601 - Adv Exercise Testing
Exercise testing techniques presented to determine the biological responses to exercise stress and to investigate the physiological limitations to human performance as it relates to disease and/or sport performance.
ESS 621 - Adv Exercise Physiology
Topics would include bioenergetics, integration of metabolism, metabolic response to exercise, neuroendocrine control of metabolism during exercise, cardiovascular control and adaptation during exercise and respiratory control and adaptation during exercise.
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Career Opportunities
Exercise science is a diverse field leading to a wide range of job opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of exercise physiologists is projected to grow 13 percent through 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. Marshall University's M.S. in Exercise Science graduates have also gone on to become pharmacists, physician assistants and completed medical school to become physicians. Some have become established scientists, while others have assumed significant responsibilities as administrators in the clinical setting.
  • Director of Rehabilitation Services
  • Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation
  • Supervisor, Exercise Stress Testing Laboratory
  • Head Athletic Trainer
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Clinical Exercise Physiologist
  • Health and Wellness Specialist
  • Director of Sports Performance Enhancement
Taylor Shorter
I really enjoy the small class sizes and the ability for instructors to spend time with each student. This has provided me with opportunities to both further my education and guide me into my future career field.
Taylor Shorter , Exercise Science, 2023