MSES in Strength and Conditioning | Traditional

Mastering strength and conditioning for peak performance

The Master of Science in Exercise Science (MSES) with a major in strength and conditioning is designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree in science or a health care-related field interested in advancing their knowledge within their discipline. The program is grounded in evidence-based practice, decision-making and leadership across health care and wellness settings and the curriculum is designed to increase and expand the knowledge needed for 21st century health care.

Format

Online

Program Length

Two years

Credit Hours

36 to 39 Credit Hours
*Depending on the student's choice of a scholarly project

Important Dates

Next Start Date:
Fall I - August 25, 2025
(Priority Deadline: July 31)

Online Info Sessions

Cost

Tuition Per Credit Hour: $530
Credit Hours to Complete: 36 - 39
Approximate Cost: $19,080 - $20,670

Curriculum

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Program Requirements

Why Earn Your MSES?

This advanced degree will help those seeking to further their knowledge in science and application and set themselves up for employment and job security. A master's degree and National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification (NSCA-CSCS) are the minimum requirements for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL), National Football League (NFL), and National Basketball Association (NBA). Many strength and conditioning coaches also perform teaching duties, for which a master's degree is a minimum qualification.

Exercise Science and Sports and Fitness Administration Technology

About the Program

The MSES program engages transformative leadership practice to promote health and wellness across the lifespan. Students utilize critical appraisal techniques to develop an evidence-based practice approach in decision-making. SXU's six core courses in MSES provide the foundation you need for jobs within the field of allied health. The courses cover research methods, ethics, behavior psychology, communication and more. Each course is taught by current practitioners and content experts within the field of allied health. The MSES program adheres to the National Strength and Conditioning principles and prepares students to take the NSCA-CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification), NSCA's Certified Performance and Sport Scientist certification (NSCA-CPSS), and the Functional Movement Systems' FMS Level 1 certification.

While the MSES program is online, class sizes remain intimate and SXU's faculty are always available to ensure your success through phone, email, video conference, or stopping by the campus for those who can. Students will also have a two-day onsite intensive in their last semester to apply all the theory taught in the program into practical application within the lab. This takes place at our Human Performance Lab, located inside Saint Xavier's Center for Health and Wellness, one of the most technologically advanced labs in the Midwest.

Students enrolled in the MSES will have access to the Human Performance Lab located in Saint Xavier's Center for Health and Wellness. This lab is dedicated to bringing our students the most up-to-date exercise and sport science technology, including:

Bluetooth Vo2 Analyzer.
Portable Force Plates.
Velocity-Based Technology.
In-Body System.
3D Motion Capture.
Various VALD Performance Technologies, including Dynamometer, Jump Mat, and Laser System.
Dashr Laser System, and more.

In their final semester, students will spend two days onsite working with this equipment to further understand how theory bridges to application.

The MSES degree was created by practitioners for practitioners looking to enter a career in allied health.

Students who enroll in the MSES will have access to our state-of-the-art High-Performance Lab during their tenure in the program.
Graduates will have one year free use of the FMS website, allowing them to properly evaluate clients.
Graduates will have access to Train Heroic to develop programs post-graduation.
A two-day onsite session in the last semester will allow students to apply theory taught in the program to practical application within the lab.

In the MSES program, students will:

Effectively design programs for athletes, the general population, the military and post-rehabilitation using current research and evidence-based techniques.
Demonstrate appropriate evaluation methods for program design of strength and conditioning protocols.
Use critical thinking skills to identify and prescribe recovery and regeneration techniques for both the athlete and non-athlete.
Demonstrate an evidence-based approach to practice, using both quantitative and qualitative research.
Appraise current literature and apply evidence in the health and science fields to selected practice settings.
Apply ethical principles in decision-making in health science practice.

Why study Strength and Conditioning at SXU?

Experienced faculty who has more than 50 years of strength and conditioning experience
Access to the human performance lab throughout the summer
Ability to observe with athletes in various populations
The opportunity to network with various professional organizations within strength and condoning
You will have an educational experience that will prepare you for the CSCS exam upon graduation

Admission Requirements and Process

Qualified applicants for the Master of Science in Exercise Science program must have graduated from an accredited baccalaureate program with a GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants will be required to provide the following:

- A completed Graduate Student Application for Master of Science in Exercise Science. After submitting an application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will provide you with guidelines for submitting the required supplemental documents. There is no application fee.
- Current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, plus any other institution where undergraduate or graduate coursework was completed regardless of degree completed or not.

Application Deadlines:

Applications are on a rolling basis with a final application deadline for each fall semester on July 31.

Admission Decision:

The College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Business Graduate Admission Recognition and Progression Committee make admission decisions based on the criteria outlined above, as well as the quality of previous coursework and demonstrated potential for a productive career in advanced nursing practice.

Transfer Credits:

MSES students may request credit transfer for courses completed at other accredited institutions prior to enrollment at Saint Xavier University. Subject to faculty approval, a maximum of six credit hours of non-clinical courses earned elsewhere may be accepted toward completion of graduate degree requirements in the MSES program. This request must be made formally, in writing, after the student's admission into the graduate program. See the Saint Xavier University graduate academic catalog for further details.

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Want to know more about Master of Science in Exercise Science
program at Saint Xavier University? Please fill out the form below!

Graduate Admission

773-298-3053
Email: graduateadmissionFREESXU

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student testimonial

“I chose to continue my education and pursue a graduate degree from SXU because of the institution’s immense resources and a desire to sharpen my skills. The faculty care and are very personable, and what I am learning in my classes – like how to design a needs analysis or program information – is helping me to prepare for successful execution.”
Jatrele Irons '24 |Exercise Science

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