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WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

The online program is designed to facilitate a comprehensive learning experience for post undergraduate professionals that is conducive to their work-life schedule. Whether clinical-based practitioners or fitness/strength and conditioning practitioners, our goal is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of how to design, analyze and apply research in the field of exercise science. Additionally, students will gain the knowledge, skills and abilities to secure the highest level of certification in their respective expertise.

The combination of classes and the integration of research throughout the program will provide students with the following benefits:

  1. Clinicians will be prepared for the ACSM-Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) exam which requires extensive clinical coursework and experience.
  2. Strength and conditioning coaches and fitness practitioners will be prepared for the NSCA-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam.
  3. A thesis option in which students will work with a faculty mentor to develop a testable hypothesis, conduct research, and disseminate the results locally and nationally. 
  4. An Internship option for students targeting advanced professional experience in the field of their choice. 

Reasons to choose our program?

Work-life balance

  • No GRE Required + rolling admissions
  • 7-week accelerated courses
  • Fully online format
  • Faculty availability in person and online
  • Work at your own pace

Career Advancement

  • Clinical-based or elite strength and conditioning internships available
  • Thesis option provides gateway for doctoral studies or clinical research jobs
  • Option to obtain masters level clinical certifications upon graduation

Curriculum Focus

  • Clinical Exercise Physiology
  • Strength Programming
  • Research Design
  • Human Performance Data Analysis

What You Can Do

Exercise science practitioners are employed in a wide variety of positions ranging from those who are primarily clinical-based and work in hospitals, wellness and therapy-type settings to those who focus on physical fitness and strength and conditioning. A major focus of the MSES is to provide students, regardless of specialty, with a cumulative experience by preparing them for two different certifications (clinicians and strength and conditioning coaches) that are highly desirable in the field.

Program Contact Information

Jason White

Dr. Jason White

Graduate Program Director
Associate Professor, Exercise Science
859-572-6082
whitej47@nku.edu