Merrimack’s Strength and Conditioning concentration is recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Education Recognition Program.
M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science
Finish in as little as 9 months! Full- and half-tuition fellowships available.
Our exercise science graduate degree offers elite, hands-on preparation for careers in strength and conditioning, exercise physiology and related fields.
Exercise and Sport Science Master’s Degree at a Glance
Mode of Study
On Campus, Hybrid
Est. Time
9-12 Months Full-time (Part-time Study Available)
Start Terms
Spring, Summer, Fall
View Application Deadlines
Credits
32
STEM Designated
No
Accreditation
Fellowships
Full-tuition &
Half-tuition
Scholarships
Dean Scholarship &
Alumni Scholarship
Tell Me More About Merrimack's M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science Degree
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Graduate Info Session & Tour
Sunday, March 23, 2025
from 10:30 am
to 12:00 pm
Explore the Merrimack College community, gain tips on what makes a strong application, hear about our fellowship opportunities, take a tour and more!
Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science Tuition Tuition
Published Tuition
$1,100 per credit (32 credits). Tuition for 2024-2025. Rates are subject to change.
Average Aid Amount
Scholarships and fellowships significantly reduce the tuition for most of our students.
Average Tuition Cost
After scholarships and fellowships.
Typical Tuition Savings for the M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science
Merrimack College offers generous scholarship and fellowship opportunities to offset your graduate tuition.
Presidential Fellowships are 9-month, 25 hour-per-week field placements and cover $35,200, or 100% of tuition.
Provost Fellowships are 9-month, 15 hour-per-week field placements and cover $17,600, or 50% of tuition.
Double Warrior Alumni Scholarships are awarded to all Merrimack College alumni, covering $11,616, or 33% of tuition, for recent graduates (25% for previously graduated alumni).
Dean Scholarships are merit based aid awarded to all students, ranging from $3,500 to $9,000 and average $6,000, or 25% of tuition.
Visit the page below to find all up-to-date tuition and fees information.
Overview of Merrimack's M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science
Merrimack’s exercise and sport science master’s degree enables you to learn both in the classroom and in real-world settings. You’ll acquire the expertise to apply state-of-the art technologies and evidence-based practices, cultivating a complete range of professional skills.
Choose one of two concentrations
Exercise Science
Strength and Conditioning
Why Choose the M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science at Merrimack?
EXCEPTIONAL FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Merrimack College’s one-of-a-kind Exercise and Sport Science fellowships offer hands-on experience that you can’t get in a classroom. You’ll work in a professional practice, get immersed in exercise science technologies and methods, and enjoy a 50-100% tuition reduction.
ACCELERATED PROGRAM, FLEXIBLE OPTIONS
You can earn the M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science in just 9 months with full-time study, or choose to complete your degree part-time over 2 years. Evening classes help make the program convenient for adult learners with busy schedules.
PERSONALIZED FACULTY SUPPORT
Our Exercise and Sport Science master’s degree features small classes and attentive faculty. You’ll learn from seasoned practitioners who hold advanced degrees and have years of professional practice in exercise physiology, athletics and coaching.
STRONG COMMUNITY
Merrimack College’s exercise science graduate program features small courses and a welcoming culture that’s more collaborative than competitive. You’ll develop close-knit relationships with classmates and faculty, developing a supportive network that endures long past graduation.
Career Outlook: Where Can an Exercise and Sport Science Master Degree Take You?
Average Salary
For Strength & Conditioning Coaches in professional sports in 2021
Industry Growth
Expected for Exercise Physiologists from 2023-33, much faster than the average for all occupations
Job Openings
for Fitness Trainers and Instructors in 2023
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2024
Jobs with a Exercise and Sport Science Master's Degree
- Strength and conditioning coach
- Exercise physiologist
- Doctoral or professional degree student (e.g., Ph.D., O.T., P.T.)
- Health promotion coordinator
- Fitness training consultant
- Wellness coach
- Youth fitness specialist
- Senior adult fitness instructor
- Athletic and fitness equipment developer
Where Merrimack's Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science Graduates Work
University of Minnesota Duluth
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
P4S Golf
Golf Performance Coach
Project Walk Boston Ability Center
Rehabilitation Specialist
Boston College
Strength and Conditioning Coach
What Our M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science Students and Alumni Say
University of Minnesota Duluth
Read Student Spotlight
the University of Vermont
Read Student Spotlight
Boston College
Read Student Spotlight
Listen to Podcast Episode
University of Pittsburgh
Listen to Podcast Episode
Project Walk Boston Ability Center
Reacd Student spotlight
Read student spotlight
What You'll Learn in Merrimack's M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science
Explore Our Two Career-Focused Concentrations
Strength and Conditioning
If you choose the concentration in Strength and Conditioning, you will prepare to work with a variety of athletes in multiple settings. The coursework focuses on advanced strength and conditioning theory, program design, coaching leadership, and coaching skills. The curriculum is designed to be relevant and practical to prepare you for job placement upon graduation and be adequately prepared to pass national certification exams.
Exercise Science
The concentration in Exercise Science has a curriculum that is focused on science and disease prevention with courses like Physical Activity and Technology and Chronic Disease and Health Promotion. In this concentration, you will gain practical skills needed for success in the industry.
Key Courses You'll Take
Advanced Exercise Physiology
HSC 5100
Provides In-depth study of acute and chronic responses to cardiopulmonary, metabolic, biochemical, and cellular adaption to exercise and training with special reference to hydration, thermo regulation, renal and muscular function.
Exercise and Sport Psychology
HSC5500
Examines how science and practice are connected through an exploration of the major theories and the development and application of psychological skills. An emphasis on enhancing health and wellbeing is reinforced for incorporation into practice.
Sports Nutrition
HSC6200
Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science Curriculum
View Full Curriculum from the Graduate Catalog
M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science Requirements
To see more details about the program, please visit catalog.merrimack.edu.Skills You'll Learn
How to apply the most current, cutting-edge technologies, including BodPod, Force Plate, Neurotracker, Zephyr, and 3-D gait tracking.
How to help athletes achieve peak performance.
How to collaborate on interdisciplinary teams with fellow medical and exercise professionals.
How to work with diverse clients of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and levels of fitness and athletic ability.
Exercise leadership in community health and fitness programs.
Featured Faculty
Alvin Morton III, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Alvin Morton III is a researcher and scholar whose work focuses on promoting physical activity within underserved populations, with a particular emphasis on Black men. His research examines the psychological determinants that influence physical activity levels in this population, exploring the unique challenges they face when engaging in regular exercise. Dr. Morton holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He also holds an M.S. in Exercise Science, concentrating in Physical Activity and Public Health, and a B.S. in Cardiopulmonary Science, both from Northeastern University. His work has been published in numerous respected journals, including Journal of American College Health, Journal of Sports Sciences, and the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.
Nicholas SantaBarbara, Ph.D.
Assistant Clinical Professor
Dr. Nicholas SantaBarbara is a researcher and academic whose work primarily focuses on the use of exercise as both a treatment and preventive measure for chronic diseases. His recent work has explored the development of scalable, sustainable workplace wellness programs that integrate exercise and nutrition education to mitigate cardiovascular disease risk. Dr. SantaBarbara holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Columbia University, as well as a master’s in, Kinesiology for Columbia and an M.S. in Strength & Conditioning from Bridgewater State University. His work has been published in several leading journals, including AIDS Care, Journal of Health Psychology, and Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
Tunde Szivak, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Tunde Szivak is a scholar and practitioner with expertise in exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, and coaching leadership. Her research focuses on applied stress physiology, tactical human performance optimization, and mental and physical resilience, particularly within military populations. Dr. Szivak has coauthored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, contributing significantly to the field of military performance optimization, and is a guest reviewer for the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and the European Journal of Applied Physiology. Dr. Szivak holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Ohio State University, an M.A. in Kinesiology from the University of Connecticut, and a B.S. in Philosophy from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In addition to her academic work, Dr. Szivak serves as an Intelligence Analyst and Site Lead for a Strategic Military Intelligence Detachment in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Fellowships, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
Exercise Science and Strength & Conditioning Graduate Fellowships
Graduate fellowships in Merrimack’s M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science program provide hands-on professional experience while significantly reducing tuition. Fellows benefit from real-world work opportunities, professional networking, and a career head start in the fields of strength and conditioning or exercise science.
- Presidential Fellowships: Cover 100% of your graduate tuition and include a 9-month, unpaid fellowship placement of 25 hours per week.
- Provost Fellowships: Cover 50% of your graduate tuition and include a 9-month, unpaid fellowship placement of 15 hours per week.
These fellowships allow students to gain practical skills and build valuable connections, making them an ideal choice for those seeking an impactful start to their health careers.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Merrimack College offers scholarships for students who are not receiving a full- or half-tuition fellowship. Our scholarship opportunities available to M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science students include:
- Dean Scholarship: Determined by academic merit and financial need. Students not receiving a fellowship are automatically considered for a Dean Scholarship upon applying.
- Double Warrior Alumni Scholarship: Available to all Merrimack graduates. Students enrolling immediately after senior undergraduate year automatically receive a 33% discount, and 25% thereafter. Please note that Double Warrior alumni scholarships cannot be combined with Dean Scholarships.
Financial aid in the form of federal aid, private loans, and payment plans are also options available for graduate students. Click the link below to learn more about our scholarships and financial aid opportunities.
Application Information for the M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science
Admission Requirements
All applicants must have completed the required prerequisite courses in Anatomy and Physiology I & II (with laboratories) and Exercise Physiology before beginning the Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science.
The master’s program is intended for students who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a health-related field such as public health; health education/health promotion; exercise science/kinesiology; human performance; human nutrition; biomechanics; or closely related field.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in another field will be considered, but may be required to complete a call with a program representative to confirm they are qualified for the graduate program, and may be required to take additional prerequisite courses prior to enrolling.
Prerequisite coursework can be taken at any accredited college/university, including Merrimack College.
How to Apply
It’s easy to apply online! Simply create your account by registering a username and password. This will allow you to start an application, save and log back in at any time to complete it before submission.
A Completed Application Includes:
Important Information:
- Online application
- Official college transcripts from all institutions attended
- Resumé
- Interview OR personal statement
- Contact information for one reference OR one letter of recommendation
- No application fee or GRE requirement.
- If applying for a fellowship, be sure to indicate that on your application.
- Optional: Submit test scores to enhance or support your academic background.
Graduate Community and Student Support
Discover Merrimack’s vibrant and supportive graduate community! Our Graduate Center, located on the second floor of the McQuade Library, is our hub for student life, resources, and support, ensuring that you get the most out of your graduate experience.
Enjoy the following benefits that are exclusive to graduate students:
A comfortable lounge for studying and socializing
A home base for daily life on campus with coffee and tea, a microwave and a fridge
A venue for programs and services supporting graduate student success
A warm, inviting place to connect with staff and other graduate students
Want to Learn More about the Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science?
Contact the Program Director and Associate Dean, Janet Blum!
Take the Next Step (We're Here to Help)
At Merrimack, we are ready to meet you where you are and get you where you want to go. And, we make the process simple along the way! Please feel free to contact our Graduate Admission team or join us at an upcoming event if you have any questions regarding scholarships, fellowships, financial aid, or the application process.
Programs Related to the M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science
Explore other areas and where they can take you.
Merrimack College Awards & Recognition
U.S. News & World Report | Best Regional Universities North (2024)
- Most Innovative Schools (#5)
- Regional Universities North (#39)
- Best Undergraduate Teaching (#19)
- Best Colleges for Veterans (#15)
- Best Value Schools (#51)
