Master of Science in Exercise Physiology



Our program focuses on comprehension and application of research in kinesiology to improve evidence-based practice in health care, research, education, fitness, and sport careers.

Graduates of our program will be able to:

  • Comprehend and interpret scholarly literature
  • Formulate and test research questions and hypotheses
  • Communicate study results through oral and written means
  • Integrate current research into practical application

Begin your application to the MS in Exercise Physiology program

Where Are SAU Graduates of the MS in Exercise Physiology Program?

  • 20% – Occupational therapy, physical therapy, osteopathy, and PhD programs
  • 25% – Cardiac rehabilitation
  • 16% – Strength and conditioning
  • 39% – Other (fitness, sport, education)

What about working as a hitting instructor for major league baseball? That's what Jake Hirst '18 does today for the New York Yankees.


Ambrose Advantages

  • Degree Completion in 12-15 Months
  • Free Application
  • Graduate Assistantships and Teaching Opportunities

professor talking to student

using software

student on bike

The MS in Exercise Physiology program at St. Ambrose allows you to earn your degree in as few as 12 months, grow your knowledge and experience through research, be guided by faculty with diverse expertise, and apply your new skills in state-of-the-art labs.

Read our fact sheet on the MS in Exercise Physiology program (pdf)


Discover Your Potential

Where can your MS in Exercise Physiology from St. Ambrose take you? Watch this video to find out.


More Information About the M.S. in Exercise Physiology

Curriculum

The Master of Science in Exercise Physiology is a 33-36 credit program.

Some of the courses you will take in this program include:

  • advanced exercise physiology
  • biomechanics
  • exercise biochemistry
  • sport nutrition

Please refer to the Course Catalog for course listing and descriptions.

Accelerated Plan of Study
Term Offered

REQUIRED CoursesCredit Hours
Summer KIN 600 Research Methods 3
KIN 602 Statistics  3
KIN 512 Sport Nutrition 3
  Summer Total 9
Fall KIN 625 Advanced Physiology 5
KIN 608 Exercise Biochemistry 3
KIN 560 Special Topics 3
  Fall Total 11
Spring KIN 509 Exercise Pharmacology 3
KIN 510 Biomechanics 3
KIN 610 Seminar in Exercise Science 2
KIN 615 Advanced Exercise Physiology 3
KIN 620 Independent Research (for thesis option only) 1
  Spring Total 11-12
Summer KIN 660 Thesis OR KIN 650 Comprehensive Exam 4
  Summer Total 4
Total Program Credits 33-36
Standard Plan of Study
Term Offered

REQUIRED CoursesCredit Hours
Summer KIN 602 Statistics in Exercise Science 3
  Summer Total 3
Fall KIN 625 Advanced Physiology 5
KIN 600 Research Methods 3
KIN 560 Special Topics 3
  Fall Total 11
Spring KIN 509 Exercise Pharmacology 3
KIN 610 Seminar in Exercise Science 2
KIN 615 Advanced Exercise Physiology 3
  Spring Total 8
Fall KIN 608 Exercise Biochemistry 3
KIN 512 Sports Nutrition 3
KIN 620 Independent Research (Thesis) 1
Fall Total 6-7
Spring KIN 660 Thesis OR KIN 650 Comprehensive Exam 4
KIN 510 Biomechanics 3
  Spring Total 7
Total Program Credits 33-36
B.S. Exercise Science - M.S. Exercise Physiology - 3+1 Plan of Study

Course of Study for B.S. - Exercise Science - M.S. Exercise Physiology - 3+1

Download to view full program detail

First Year

Fall Semester

Credit Co/Pre- req Spring Semester Credit Pre-req
+BIOL 199 or CHEM 105 4 MATH 171 +BIOL 200 or CHEM 106 4 BIOL 199
KIN 101 - Foundations of Kinesiology 2 +PSYC 105 Intro to Psychology 3
+MATH 171 - Elementary Functions 3 +PHIL 101, 201, 207, 208, 210, 217 3
+THEO 101 (DEI-2) 3 +COMM 129, 132, 203, 228,  329 3
+ENGL 101 - Written Communication 3 +IL 101 Information Literacy 1
+KIN 149- Wellness Concepts 1 +Humanities Elective - Dept 1 (DEI-1) 3
Total Credits 16 Total Credits 17

Second Year

Fall Semester Credit Pre-req Spring Semester Credit Pre-req
STAT 213-Applied Statistical Reasoning 3 MATH 171 BIOL 232 - Human Anat.&Phys. II 4 BIOL 230
BIOL 230 - Human Anatomy & Phys. I 4 One of BIOL 101, 199, 112, CHEM 103 or 105 +CHEM 106 or BIOL 200 4 CHEM 105, MATH 171/BIOL 199
+CHEM 105 or BIOL 199 4 MATH 171 KIN 282 Health, Illness, and Well-Being Across the Lifespan 3 KIN 101
+Creative Arts Elective  2-3 KIN 216 Exercise & Sport Psyc 3 PSYC 105, KIN 101
+Humanities Elective - Dept 2 3 #KIN WI-240 Nutrition Concepts 3 **ENGL 101
Total Credits 16-17 Total Credits 16

Third Year

Fall Semester Credit Pre-req Spring Semester Credit Pre-req
PHYS 203 - College Physics I 4 MATH 171 PHYS 204 - College Physics II 4 PHYS 203
KIN 361 Functional & Structural Kines. 3 **BIOL 230 or **BIOL 205 KIN 350 or KIN 392 Strength & Cond. or Exer Rx 3 **KIN WI-390 or **WI-366;Rec. KIN 361
#KIN WI-390/390L Exercise Physiology  4 **ENGL 101 **BIOL 232 +PHIL/THEO/Catholic Studies Elective 300-level 3 STAT 213, **KIN 390
+PHIL/THEO/Catholic Studies Elective 3 Elective (Recommend KIN 400-level) 3
PSYC 255, 324, 350, 360, or 402 3 Elective 3
Total Credits 17 Total Credits 16

Summer 1 (Program start)
Course Credits
KIN 600- Research Methods (replace KIN 440) 3
KIN 602- Statistics in Exercise Science 3
# KIN 560- Special Topics (dual credit UG/Grad) 3
Total 6 - 9

Fourth Year

Fall Semester Spring Semester
Course Credits Course Credits
KIN 625- Advanced Physiology 5 KIN 610- Seminar in Exercise Science 2
KIN 608- Exercise Biochemistry (UG credit) 3 KIN 615- Advanced Exercise Physiology 3
KIN 510/512/560 (dual credit UG/Grad) 3 KIN 509/510/512/560 3
Elective (if needed for credit hours) 1-3 KIN 509/510/512/560 3
*KIN 620- Independent study 1
Total 11-14 Total 11-12

Summer 2 
Course Credits
KIN 650 or 660- Comp. Exam or Thesis 4
# KIN 560- Special Topics 3
Total 4-7
How much is tuition?

We realize the cost of a graduate education can seem daunting, but our students know that the investment they are making is worth every penny.

2022-23 Tuition

Tuition is $830/credit hour, and there are a few additional fees for technology and graduation (see below).

We encourage students to consider serving as a graduate assistant, office worker, or adjunct; please see those details below. By spending up to 20 hours per week assisting our faculty and serving in other non-teaching roles on campus, you can reduce your tuition bill. 

You can see complete information about scholarships, loans, and grants on the Graduate Financial Aid page.

Graduate Fees

2023-24 Fees

Graduate level students taking 9 or more credit hours $280/yr. ($140/semester)
Graduate level students taking 8 or less credit hours $140/yr. ($70/semester)

MSEP Graduate Assistantships and Paid Department Work

Graduate Assistant (GA)

Responsibilities:
• Teach undergraduate exercise physiology labs under full-time faculty
• Conduct open lab hours for undergraduate students
• Assist in ongoing research projects as needed
• Assist lab coordinator with equipment maintenance and inventory
• Assist in classroom and lab set up for kinesiology courses

Qualifications:
• Enrolled in the M.S. in Exercise Physiology program at SAU
• Bachelor's degree in exercise science or related field
• Exercise physiology lab experience (may include undergraduate coursework)

Time Commitment:
• 10 hours/week during Fall and Spring semesters

Faculty and Staff

Rhiannon Seneli, PhD, Assoc. Professor, Kinesiology Graduate Director

Kyle Bohnert, PhD, Asst. Professor
Michael Dahlinghaus, PhD, Assoc. Professor
Sandy Lund, PhD, Professor, Dept. Chair
Chris Schwartz, PhD, Assoc. Professor
Nick Voth, MEd, Clinical Asst. Professor
Suzanne Wiese, Administrative Assistant


Jake Hirst '18 MS


Jake Hirst will be applying real science, learned and honed at SAU, to his work as a Yankees hitting instructor. Here, he learned physics and how to apply it to his research on biomechanics. He studied the neurophysiology of vision and applied that to developing a better batting eye at the plate. Another lesson he gained from his SAU professors: the importance of networking. "They really encouraged me to go to hitting clinics, put myself out there and meet people," Hirst said.

Read Jake's Story

So, what's next?

Are you ready to take the next step? Click on the visit button below to learn more about our virtual and in-person visit options.