Exercise Science, M.S.
Learn from experts in the field of Exercise Science and have the opportunity to participate in and conduct cutting-edge research.
About the Master of Science in Exercise Science
The M.S. in Exercise Science explores current issues in applying exercise for weight management, cardiopulmonary health, maintaining functional movement across the lifespan, and enhancing athletic performance.
Graduates with a master's degree in exercise science enjoy long-term career flexibility, and can pursue multiple career paths including:
- Health and wellness coaches in the community or corporate settings
- Research scientists studying body and mind optimization
- Strength and conditioning coaches for major sports teams
- Clinical exercise scientists in state-of-the-art hospitals and clinics
- Physical (PT) and Occupational (OT) therapists gaining knowledge about human movement before PT and OT school
- Physicians obtaining research experience and knowledge of human physiology before medical school
On this Page…
Program Information
Degree
M.S. in Exercise Science
Emphases
N/A
Required Credit Hours
30
Program Type
Master's Program
Program Location
School
Duration
2 years
M.S. in Exercise Science Requirements and Application Process
The Master's in Exercise Science requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate study.
Students must take minimum of 12 hours of the core curriculum, 6 hours of supporting curriculum, 6 hours of research design and statistics, and either 6 hours of thesis or 6 hours of internship or 6 additional hours of adviser-approved elective course work as the capstone learning experience.
Applications for admissions to graduate programs must be submitted to the University of Mississippi Graduate School through the online application process.
Students must submit an online application through the Graduate School website. Complete online applications will include:
- A 1-2 page, single-spaced statement of career goals that details your objectives, motivation, and readiness to pursue graduate study.
- Official GRE scores taken within 5 years of applying to the graduate program must be sent to the Graduate School.
The minimum recommended GRE scores are:- 146 for verbal
- 140 for quantitative
- 3.0 for writing
- Official transcripts from all institutions where a degree was obtained AND from institutions attended for any graduate work sent to the Graduate School.
We recommend a cumulative grade-point average (last 60 hours) of 3.0 for admission into the Master’s program.
Selection for admission requires a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline. - Resume or CV (optional)
- Official English proficiency test scores for non-native English speakers must be sent to the graduate school.
Submit one of the following accepted English proficiency tests within 2 years of applying to tohe graduate program:- TOEFL
- IELTS
- Pearson’s Test of Academic English
Instructions for submitting application materials such as test scores and transcripts can be found on the Graduate School website.
For questions about the submission process, contact the Graduate School.
Courses in the M.S. in Exercise Science
What does MS in Exercise Science look like on the job market?
Median salary for Occupational Therapists in 2022.
Median salary for Physical Therapists in 2022.
Projected percent change in employment opportunities for Athletic Trainers 2022 to 2032.
M.S. in Exercise Science Jobs
- Personal Trainer
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Kinesiologist
- Massage Therapist
- Exercise Physiologist
- Fitness Center Manager
- Athletic Director
- Physical Therapy Assistant
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Meet the Graduate Program Coordinator
The Master of Science in Athletic Science prepares students to lead in performance training, clinical exercise, and wellness fields. With a focus on human movement and applied research, the program supports diverse career goals.
We're here to answer any questions you have about a master's degree in Exercise Science!
Thomas L Andre
Associate Professor of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management
Accelerated Master's Degree in Exercise Science
Undergraduate students at UM that are interested in graduate study in exercise science can get a head start through the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program in Exercise Science.
Undergraduate students that would like to qualify for the Accelerated Master's Degree Program must meet the following requirements:
- Be an Exercise Science major
- Have a 3.0 minimum GPA
- Have 90 completed credit hours as an undergraduate
Number of credit hours a student can earn towards the graduate degree while completing their undergraduate studies:
- 12 credit hours
Courses undergraduate students in the Accelerated Master's Degree Program can take to earn credit towards the graduate degree:
- ES 514 Applied Electromyography
- ES 515 Stress and the Brain
- ES 511 Applied Statistics
- ES 542 Sports Psychology
Remember: Students who fail to reserve 500-level courses for graduate credit at the time they take the course will not receive graduate credit for the course (graduate level work must be completed to earn graduate credit).
- Reserving graduate credit with 500-level courses is required to ensure the Graduate School and instructor know the student must complete graduate credit requirements for the course.
- Students cannot later claim graduate credit for 500-level courses if they did not take the appropriate steps to notify the Graduate School prior to taking the course.
Students must be accepted into the Accelerated Master's Degree Program and complete the requisite Accelerated Master's Degree Program Course Enrollment Form for this degree. The form must be received by the Graduate School (the form requires approval from your Undergraduate Advisor and the Graduate Program Coordinator).
- Students must download and complete the participating program’s specific enrollment form each term. The form must be completed prior to the start of the term.
- The form requires approval from the Undergraduate Advisor and Graduate Program Coordinator.
- By signing the form to approve the enrollment for the semester, the Graduate Program Coordinator is agreeing that the student has been admitted to their Accelerated Master's Degree Program opportunity.
After the Graduate School receives the first approved program-specific enrollment form, the student will be identified as enrolled in the Accelerated Master's Degree Program for that degree.
- Each subsequent term for which the student wishes to earn credit towards the graduate degree while still completing their undergraduate studies, they must submit a registration form prior to the start of the semester.
- Failure to submit the required form on time will mean that the student does not earn graduate credit.
The Accelerated Master's Degree Program Course Enrollment Form must be submitted to the Graduate School by the Graduate Program Coordinator. Until the Graduate School receives the required form, the student is not officially registered for graduate coursework for that term.
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