The Master of Science in Exercise Science is designed to prepare students for advanced roles in careers that utilize exercise to improve the fitness and health among a wide variety of populations: individuals with chronic disease, healthy adults, fitness enthusiasts, and athletes. Our students receive vibrant, face-to-face learning with experts in exercise physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, and exercise testing and prescription.
Program Highlights
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Faculty: expert teacher-researchers who take pride in both endeavors
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Laboratories: high-quality facilities with state-of-the-art research equipment
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Capstone: choose between an internship for career preparation or research for doctoral study preparation
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Academics: a solid background in the exercise sciences with elective courses for career options
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Program can be completed in 3 consecutive semesters
Careers
Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Alumni Careers
Requirements
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A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.8 and a GPA of 3.0 in the undergraduate major courses.
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Have a score of at least 291 (900 by former scoring standard) between quantitative and verbal on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
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Waiving the GRE requirement is considered for applicants with a high GPA in major coursework.
For Admission to the Exercise Science Program
Students who have either a low GPA or a low GRE score may be considered for admission to provisional status. Waiving the GRE requirement is considered for applicants with a high GPA in major coursework. Additionally, students must be computer literate. Prerequisites include at least one semester of anatomy and physiology, one semester of exercise physiology, and one semester of biomechanics.
Featured Courses
Review of current physiological literature related to muscular exercise including the cardiovascular-respiratory system, metabolic effects of exercise, neuromuscular relationships, and the effects of training or diet, environment, ergogenic aids, temperature, attitude, and other factors on performance and health. Prerequisite: HPE 509 or equivalent.
This course is an in-depth analysis of the role of nutrition in health and human physical and athletic performance. General areas covered include the role of the six major classes of nutrients in health and sport, physiologic and metabolic interrelationships, malnutrition, nutrition in growing and aging, and diet and nutrition in the prevention of disease.
Study of the relationships among mechanics, energetics and control of human movement. Emphasis will be placed on the application of mechanical concepts in biomechanics research. Course includes laboratory assignments. Prerequisite: EXSC 417 or EXSC 517.
Cost of Attendance
We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance.
Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Other fees are assessed for special services and certain academic programs. Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Graduate Assistantships
Several graduate assistantships are available that provide a stipend of $7,500 each in the fall and spring semesters.