An online master’s degree in exercise science is a degree program focused on understanding human biology when it comes to physical activity and other health-centered practices. This can include rehabilitation from injuries that people have suffered, preventative health measures, fitness training, nutrition, and even sports psychology.
Many master’s degrees in exercise science programs offer specific concentrations that will let students focus on one or more of these different areas. Graduates can enter into careers in an array of different fields within the fitness and exercise science industry. Some of those positions can include nutritionist, personal trainer, or health program coordinator. Graduates can also secure positions as coaches, fitness instructors, and exercise physiologists.
What Do Online Master’s In Exercise Science Curriculum And Courses Look Like?
To earn an online master’s degree in exercise science, students will take some core courses. Those can include applied physiology and kinesiology, fitness strength and training, health behavior, needs assessment and program development, and epidemiology. Many programs will allow students to choose one or even more areas of concentration. Some of these areas of concentration can include sports psychology, physical education, rehabilitation science, and sports management. There are also online master’s degree programs and exercise science that offer a research option. This type of program will include courses in research methods and statistical methods while requiring students to complete a research project before they can graduate.
Examples of courses included in many master’s degrees in exercise science programs include:
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Scientific Basis of Sport
- Research Foundations and Methods in Health Sciences
- Scientific Foundation of Nutrition in Sport
- Principles of Strength and Conditioning
- Sports Medicine Principles for Sport Professionals
- Analysis of Sport Instruction
- Sport Management
Careers And Their Salaries With An Online Master’s In Exercise Science
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for graduates is a really good one for graduates with a master’s degree in exercise science. The job growth rate is predicted to be at nine percent from 2021 through 2031. Exercise physiologists can expect to make around $50,000 annually, while coaches can expect to make around $40,000 annually. The job growth rate for coaches is expected to increase by 20 percent over the next decade. The job growth rate for fitness instructors is slated to grow 19 percent over the next decade. The average income for a fitness instructor or personal trainer is around $41,000 per year. Professionals with a master’s degree in exercise science can expect to be paid even higher wages.
These job growth rates are based on the fact that there is a push for preventative health care with a larger focus on wellness and fitness by the healthcare system. There is also an increasing awareness by governments, businesses, and insurance companies of the benefits of health and fitness programs for employees in people who are insured under healthcare coverage. Companies are even implementing incentives for people to join gyms or health clubs, which means an increased need for fitness instructors and personal trainers.
When it comes to the field of exercise science, the best job prospects are with graduates that have a professional certification or higher levels of formal education in exercise science or health and fitness.
Certifications And Licenses For Master’s In Exercise Science
There is an array of different certifications and licensures for graduates with a master’s degree in exercise science. Many colleges and universities offer these certification programs as part of their master’s degree in exercise science programs. Students can also earn certifications from outside agencies, such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Some of the most nationally recognized certifications in the field of exercise science include:
- Certified Wellness Coach
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT).
- NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES).
- NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES).
- NASE Certified Specialist in Speed and Explosion.
By obtaining these certifications and others, graduates with a master’s degree in exercise science will have even more job opportunities awaiting them. This is due to the fact that certifications show potential employers that the applicant has specialized in certain specific areas of the exercise science field. As the push by insurance companies and employers for health and wellness increases, so will the job opportunities for graduates with a master’s degree in exercise science. This will increase even further for graduates who also have certain certifications.
Admissions For Online Master’s In Exercise Science
Most online master’s degrees in exercise science programs require students to have at least a bachelor’s degree before they can apply. Most students who apply to a master’s degree program in exercise science already hold a bachelor’s degree in the field or a related one such as kinesiology. This is because students who already hold those degrees want to advance their knowledge and skill sets in the area of exercise science through a master’s degree program. Also, students who earn a master’s degree in exercise science online are able to network with industry professionals in their field. This allows them the opportunity to possibly be hired for a position upon graduation in their preferred concentration under the umbrella of exercise science.
In addition to the requirement of a bachelor’s degree, students applying for a master’s degree in an exercise science program may have to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 to 3.0. There may also be prerequisite coursework that must be completed beforehand, depending on the college or university. Some of those prerequisite courses may be anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, and nutrition.
Some universities and colleges will require students to take and pass the Graduate Records Examinations (GRE) or similar tests to be admitted into a master’s degree in exercise science program.
Students will be required to fill out an application for the college or university they want to attend and pay any application fee that is required. They must submit their academic transcripts and in many cases, they must include a resume or write an essay to go along with their application.
College Accreditation (Is Accreditation Important?)
Accreditation is basically a declaration from a governing agency that a program by a college or university has met all educational guidelines and quality that is recommended by the accreditation authority. It is important that all students entering into a master’s degree in exercise science program to ensure that the university or college they are applying to is accredited by at least one agency that is recognized within the industry. Many colleges that offer online master’s degrees in exercise science programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Others may be accredited by regional agencies, such as the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA or Education Recognition Program (ERP).
And accreditation is important for colleges and universities because it shows that they have met specific requirements and can offer a higher level of education to their students. Also, students will need to have a degree from an accredited university for some job positions as well as for colleges and universities in the future if they decide to continue their education to a doctorate level.
Financing Your Master’s Program With Financial Aid
Obtaining a master’s degree in exercise science can be expensive but, fortunately, there are several ways students can pay for it. First of all, the cost of earning an online master’s degree in exercise science can be different from college to college or university to university. Listed below are a variety of different options students can utilize to help pay for their master’s degree in exercise science program.
The FAFSA: The FAFSA is also known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid since it provides students access to all federal, state, and some school-based grants. It is important for all students to fill out this application to see whether they think they are eligible for grants or not. This is because it needs to be completed for student loans also. Any students who are eligible for any type of grant programs will be notified that they qualify on an individual basis. Grants are the best way to fund a master’s degree program since students do not need to pay them back.
Organization Grants: Some organizations will offer grants for master’s degrees in exercise science programs. This is due to the fact that exercise science is a growing field and professionals are needed in a variety of different positions.
Financing Your Master’s Program With Scholarships
Scholarships: there are many different scholarship programs that students can apply for through a variety of sources. Students can check with their local and state government agencies to see what scholarships are available in their areas. They can also check with their local libraries and even do their own research to find smaller grants and scholarships that others may not know about.
Fellowships: Many universities and colleges offer fellowship programs for graduate students. To qualify, students must meet a certain level of academic performance so that they can exchange college courses for the work or research they do.
Assistantships: students who work as teacher assistants at colleges and universities can be paid through student tuition waivers or stipends for living expenses. This is basically students exchanging work for their degree costs to be covered.
Employer tuition assistance: Students who hold full or part-time jobs can check with their employers to see if they offer any type of tuition reimbursement program.
What Is Exercise Science?
Exercise science is the study of movement and any functional responses and adaptations that are associated with movement. The overall goal of exercise science is to create an understanding for people of the connections between exercise, nutrition, fitness, and overall health. Exercise science is a scientific approach that allows graduates to study how exercise affects the human body and the benefits and results of the physiology of exercise.
Exercise science is a theory-based and even a research-led branch of Kinesiology, which is the study of the human response and adaptation to exercise and movement. It also encompasses the underlying mechanisms that influence exercise and movement. Overall, the field of exercise science is utilized to take a much more in-depth look at how exercise causes changes to occur in the human body. Exercise science is also designed to promote the health and well-being of individuals by giving them solutions they can apply to health problems that have been caused by physical inactivity.
Exercise science is the umbrella under which other areas of disciplines fall. Some of these disciplines include sports nutrition, sport and exercise psychology, exercise Physiology, motor control, and development, biomechanics, and sports nutrition.
Do I Need To Take the GRE To Enroll In An Online Master’s In Exercise Science?
While most colleges and universities will require students enrolling in a master’s degree in exercise science to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field in place. The issue of testing requirements is another story. Some colleges and universities will require students entering into a master’s degree program to take and pass the GRE or GMAT tests.
The Graduate Record Examination, most often referred to simply as GRE, and the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) are designed to measure the critical thinking and reasoning skills of students that are connected to the type of program for which they are applying for. These programs can include online master’s degrees in exercise science programs.
These examinations allow the admissions departments at colleges and universities to determine what areas students may be weak in and if they have the skills and knowledge needed for the program to which they applied. The tests are computer-based and consist of multiple-choice questions in several areas, including writing, quantitative reasoning skills, and mathematics.
If a student is already working in the field of exercise science, they may be able to obtain a waiver based on work experience and relevant education. This means they do not have to take either one of these examinations.
Is An Online Master’s In Exercise Science Difficult?
An online master’s degree in exercise science can be difficult for some students. This is due to the fact that there are a lot of science courses involved. Some of those include biology, engineering, anatomy, and Physiology. For students who enjoy these types of subjects, an exercise science master’s degree program will not be difficult at all.
Keep in mind that almost all master’s degrees in exercise science programs requires students to have already completed a bachelor’s degree in exercise science or a related subject. This means that students enrolled in this type of master’s degree program are prepared for the type of coursework ahead of them. For many, a master’s degree is a way for them to specialize in certain concentrations of the overall field of exercise science.
Is It OK To Get A Master’s Degree Online?
In today’s fast-paced world of technology, almost all universities and colleges throughout the United States offer various online degree programs. This means that many human resource directors, hiring managers, and others have begun to look at fully online master’s degrees the same as traditionally obtained master’s degrees.
An online master’s degree program in exercise science can also show employers that you have the discipline to stay the course and work independently to complete a degree program. Students can even emphasize these types of skills on their resumes and in their cover letters when they are applying for jobs in the future.
Students can also network with others and obtain opportunities through education forums as well as social media platforms. These are great ways for students to connect with future employers or to learn about new job openings. All of this can increase the chances for graduates to obtain their dream job in the field of exercise science.
How Long Does It Take To Get An Online Master’s In Exercise Science?
Most online master’s degree programs and exercise science require at least 30 credit hours. Most students who attend classes in the traditional manner take about one and a half years to two years to complete their entire program. On the upside, students who complete their master’s degree in exercise science program fully online can work at their own pace and can graduate in as little as one year with their degrees.
Online master’s degree in exercise science students is able to utilize different software programs provided by their college or university to access their coursework on the Internet. They will have access to online resources, which include message boards, video chats, free professional development, career counseling, and academic advising. Students can tend to other responsibilities such as jobs or raising families while attending classes online since they can work at any time of the day or night.
Is Exercise Science A Difficult Career?
For students who have a passion for health and wellness, fitness, and sports, exercise science is a great career choice. For students who already work in the field, increasing their skill set and knowledge will help them advance in their careers.
Exercise science involves working with other people. Whether a graduate ends up working as a coach, personal trainer, fitness instructor, or even exercise physiologist, he or she will have to interact with others on a regular basis. Sometimes this can be stressful, especially if you are working with someone who is resistant to exercise.
There are many pluses to obtaining a master’s degree in exercise science, though. Number one is job security. This is due to the fact that there will always be individuals who need assistance in improving their health and fitness in teams that want to improve their overall performance. There is a push by the insurance industry for companies to have healthy employees and to implement health and wellness programs within their organizations. This means more jobs for people with a master’s degree in exercise science.
What Is The Job Outlook For Master In Exercise Science?
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for graduates with a master’s degree in exercise science is a good one. This is because the job growth rate for exercise physiologists is expected to grow nine percent from 2021 to 2031, with a median annual salary of $50,000. The job growth for coaches is expected to increase by a whopping 20 percent with the median annual pay of around $40,000 per year. Fitness instructors can garner about the same amount of annual income and the job growth rate in that area of exercise science is around 19 percent from the year 2021 to the year 2031.
In addition to sports coaching, graduates with a master’s degree in exercise science can work as health and wellness coaches and even strength and conditioning coaches. They can also work as athletic directors or athletic trainers, personal trainers, and physical therapists.
What Is The Future Of Exercise Science?
The future of exercise science is looking very good since there is a projected increase of at least nine percent in job growth rate over the next decade. When it comes to personal trainers, fitness instructors, and group fitness instructors, the employment rate is expected to grow by 19 percent through 2031, which is much faster than the average for all other occupations. This is due to the fact that there is a great need for preventative health care and a major focus on wellness and fitness that is fast becoming an integral part of our healthcare system.
Most fitness instructors in larger areas of the United States are making upwards of at least $65,000 per year. This means that the field of exercise science is growing by leaps and bounds, so it is a great career for students to choose.
1. Concordia University Chicago
The Master of Science in Applied Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology at the Concordia University Chicago is offered 100 percent fully online. The program is created for working professionals so that they can learn and complete their coursework at any time of the day or night at any location they choose. The university strives to keep class sizes small so that students can connect with their classmates and professors on a regular basis.
The exercise physiology concentration degree program is great for students who want to assist clients in the future with reaching their peak physical wellness. It is the job of exercise physiologists to focus on the promotion of health and wellness to prevent illness and injury. Students will also learn how to assist athletes in reaching their top performance.
Overall, exercise physiology is the study of the human body’s response to physical activity and its ability to adapt to that physical activity. Exercise science focuses on how physical activity can improve the health and wellness of people of all ages. Both exercise science and exercise physiology focus on the improvement of the health and wellness of individuals as well as athletes. Graduates can work in a variety of fields, including physical education, human performance, sports nutrition, and strength training.
The master’s degree in exercise science or exercise physiology programs at Concordia University Chicago are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. There are different tracks and concentrations that students can embark upon in both of these programs.
2. Liberty University
The Master of Science (MS) in Exercise Science and Wellness at Liberty University is designed to provide students with the critical knowledge they need regarding exercise and physical health. They will need to learn this information and skill sets to go along with it to be able to help others while working in the field of exercise science.
This particular master’s degree and exercise science program will give students the tools they will need to be able to assess wellness, health, and human performance in a variety of different people. The program will help students to increase their knowledge of biomechanics, exercise physiology, and sports nutrition. Students will be able to obtain their degrees to become working professionals that have an impact in the world of fitness, wellness, and sports. Students will be able to obtain jobs as personal trainers, coaches, nutritional consultants, physical therapists, human performance specialists, and more upon graduation.
The program is fully 100 percent online so students can work at their own pace from any location and any time of the day or night. This is great for working professionals and for people raising a family while attending college.
3. California University of Pennsylvania
The master’s of science degree in exercise science at the California University of Pennsylvania, also known as PennWest California, is available fully online. This allows students to complete their degrees while working at their own pace. This means they can still care for their families, work full- or part-time jobs, and tend to other responsibilities while earning their master’s degree in exercise science.
The university touts itself as being the first one to launch this nationally ranked 100 percent online master’s degree program to be able to offer top-quality training to working professionals.
Students can choose from 10 different concentrations within their master’s degree in exercise science program. You can also choose to attend full-time or part-time and will be part of smaller classes so they can interact with faculty often. Students can even choose two concentrations to earn a dual concentration master’s degree in exercise science.
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4. Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lenoir-Rhyne University offers a master of science degree in exercise science that can be completed fully online. The university offers this master’s degree program to fill the growing need for advanced professionals in the fields of fitness, exercise, and other related areas. Students will gain a very strong foundational knowledge of the human anatomy as well as human physiology. Students will also learn about nutrition and the biomechanics and adaptations to physical activity and exercise. Graduates will be able to utilize these skills and expertise in real-world situations.
This 33-credit hour program was designed with the working professional in mind, which is why it is offered fully online. This allows adults to continue working and take care of their other responsibilities while earning their master’s degree in exercise science. Students can complete the curriculum at their own pace as full or part-time students.
5. Aurora University
The Master of science in exercise science degree program at Aurora University will prepare students for careers in health and fitness. Students can complete their coursework fully online and embark on internship or capstone experiences if they so choose. The program is designed to prepare students to take the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) exam.
The coursework in this program will include subjects such as sports nutrition, exercise Physiology, sport psychology, research methods, program organization, and program administration. Classes are taught by expert instructors who have extensive experience in their fields.
Students can become trained exercise science experts in one to two years through this fully online program.
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