Online Master's in Exercise Physiology: Help Others Reach Peak Physical Health and Performance
Level up your exercise science expertise with Concordia University Chicago's 100% online Master of Science in Applied Exercise Science with a concentration in Exercise Physiology. Tailored for working professionals passionate about health promotion, cardiac rehabilitation, performance enhancement, and chronic disease management, this program equips you with deep scientific knowledge and practical skills to assess, prescribe, and optimize exercise interventions. Whether your background is in exercise science or you are entering the field from another discipline, our flexible tracks prepare you for high-impact clinical, athletic, and wellness careers—and directly for the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP) credential.
Program Snapshot
Advance your career with an accredited, flexible online master's program built for working adults, featuring locked-in tuition, small class sizes, and two tailored curriculum tracks.
Exercise Physiology Concentration Benefits
Gain advanced physiological expertise, hands-on clinical and performance assessment competencies, and a servant-leadership foundation to help individuals thrive across clinical, community, and athletic settings.
Master Advanced Physiological and Biomechanical Science
Dive far beyond undergraduate coursework with in-depth study of energy metabolism, cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular adaptations, biomechanics, exercise and sports nutrition, and exercise prescription for special populations—including cardiopulmonary patients, older adults, and individuals with chronic conditions.
Learn Online on Your Schedule with Dedicated Faculty Mentorship
Complete coursework 100% online and asynchronously without putting your career or family on hold. Small class sizes (fewer than 18 students) ensure you build direct relationships with professors who are practicing athletic trainers, clinicians, and exercise scientists invested in your day-to-day success.
Prepare for ACSM-EP Certification and High-Demand Careers
Established in 2021 in direct response to the national demand for certified exercise physiologists, this curriculum is built around the scientific foundations of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM-EP) credential, opening doors to hospital-based cardiac rehab, human performance labs, corporate wellness, and doctoral study.
5 Online master's in exercise science concentrations
11 Best Online College 2024
$575 Per Credit Hour with CUC Tuition Guarantee
Who Should Earn a Master's in Exercise Physiology?
The MS in Applied Exercise Science with an Exercise Physiology concentration is designed for individuals who want to deepen their mastery of how the human body responds and adapts to acute and chronic exercise. With two distinct tracks available, the program welcomes both seasoned exercise professionals and career changers ready to make a meaningful impact on human health and performance.
- Aspiring Clinical Exercise Physiologists and Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialists
- Personal Trainers and Strength Coaches seeking advanced scientific credentials
- Healthcare and Allied Health professionals expanding into movement-based therapy
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology bachelor's graduates advancing their education
- Career changers transitioning into health, wellness, and fitness (Track 1)
- Corporate Wellness Directors and Community Health Leaders
- Professionals pursuing aging and geriatric care movement interventions
- Future doctoral students preparing for PhD programs in Exercise Science
What You’ll Learn
To meet students where they are, Concordia University Chicago offers two pathway options:
Track 1 (36 Credits — For students who do not meet ACSM prerequisite course requirements):
- AES 6000: Anatomy & Physiology (3 cr)
- AES 6020: Kinesiology I (3 cr)
- AES 6030: Kinesiology II (3 cr)
- AES 6040: Biomechanics (3 cr)
- AES 6050: Research Design and Methods of Exercise Science (3 cr)
- AES 6200: Applied Exercise Physiology (3 cr)
- AES 6300: Exercise & Sports Nutrition (3 cr)
- AES 6700: Principles of Exercise Testing, Prescription, & Health Risk Appraisal (3 cr)
- AES 6770: Exercise Testing & Prescription for Special Populations (3 cr)
- AES 6780: Patient Education & Behavioral Change Strategies (3 cr)
- AES 6810: Essentials of Strength & Conditioning (3 cr)
- AES 6990: Capstone Experience in Applied Exercise Science (3 cr)
Track 2 (30 Credits — For students with an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science):
- AES 6040: Biomechanics I (3 cr)
- AES 6045: Biomechanics II (3 cr)
- AES 6050: Research Design & Methods of Exercise Science (3 cr)
- AES 6250: Advanced Exercise Physiology (3 cr)
- AES 6300: Exercise & Sports Nutrition (3 cr)
- AES 6700: Principles of Exercise Testing, Prescription, & Health Risk Appraisal (3 cr)
- AES 6770: Exercise Testing & Prescription for Special Populations (3 cr)
- AES 6780: Patient Education & Behavioral Change Strategies (3 cr)
- AES 6815: Principles of Strength & Conditioning I (3 cr)
- AES 6990: Capstone Experience in Applied Exercise Science (3 cr)
Throughout the program, coursework and applied assignments align around the five fundamental pillars of the discipline:
- Improve Physical Performance and Fitness: Optimize conditioning, metabolic efficiency, and strength across diverse populations and athletes.
- Promote Health and Wellness: Apply evidence-based exercise interventions to foster lifelong vitality and disease prevention.
- Prevent and Manage Chronic Diseases: Design safe, targeted exercise prescriptions for cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and neuromuscular conditions.
- Aid in Rehabilitation and Recovery: Support recovery from injury, illness, or cardiac events in multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
- Analyze Physiological Adaptations: Master the cellular, metabolic, and systemic mechanisms driving human response to physical stress.
Graduates gain advanced scientific, clinical, and leadership competencies that employers and credentialing bodies demand:
- Comprehensive health risk appraisal and clinical fitness testing
- Individualized exercise prescription for healthy individuals, athletes, and special clinical populations
- Behavioral change and patient education coaching for long-term adherence
- Biomechanical motion analysis and human movement assessment
- Nutritional analysis and ergogenic aid evaluation for health and performance
- Scientific research interpretation, methodology, and data analysis
- Capstone project completion (publishable journal article, program/facility development, or clinical field experience)
The program culminates in AES 6990: Capstone Experience in Applied Exercise Science. This student-centered project bridges graduate research with real-world practice. Capstone options include independent research leading to a publishable journal article, professional field experience, conference presentations, advanced certifications, online course materials, or complete facility and program development plans.
Concordia University Chicago delivers this program 100% online in an asynchronous format with no required login times. Whether you are balancing full-time work, owning a facility, or raising a family, you have the flexibility to complete coursework on your schedule while receiving individualized feedback from faculty who understand the demands on adult learners.
The Exercise Physiology concentration directly prepares students for the American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP) exam. Furthermore, graduates who wish to continue their education may be eligible to apply up to 12 credit hours toward CUC's online PhD in Exercise Science, creating an accelerated pathway to terminal-degree scholarship and university-level teaching.
Launch an In-Demand Career in Healthcare, Performance, and Wellness
Employment for exercise physiologists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, driven by an aging population, an emphasis on preventive medicine, and rising demand for cardiac rehabilitation and performance training. Graduates of CUC's Exercise Physiology concentration are equipped to step into high-impact roles across clinical, corporate, and athletic settings.
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist (Hospitals and Outpatient Clinics)
- Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist
- Exercise Physiologist in Aging & Geriatric Care
- Corporate Wellness Director & Health Promotion Consultant
- Sports Scientist & Human Performance Lab Specialist
- Strength & Conditioning Coach (NSCA CSCS Preparation)
- Neurorehabilitation Exercise Specialist (Stroke, TBI, Parkinson's)
- College/University Exercise Science Educator
- Preparation for CUC PhD in Exercise Science (Up to 12 Credits Transferable)
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About the Master's in Exercise Physiology
It is a postgraduate academic program focusing on the scientific study of how the human body responds and adapts to physical activity and exercise. Combining advanced coursework in cardiovascular physiology, biomechanics, metabolism, and clinical assessment with a culminating capstone experience, the program prepares graduates for clinical rehabilitation, sports performance, public health, and corporate wellness roles.
Graduates work as clinical exercise physiologists in hospitals, cardiac rehabilitation specialists, sports performance coaches, corporate wellness directors, geriatric movement specialists, and college educators. The degree also provides a solid foundation for research positions and doctoral study.
A physical therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare provider who diagnoses and treats injuries through rehabilitative plans and requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). An exercise physiologist focuses on designing and implementing exercise programs to improve health, manage chronic disease, prevent illness, and enhance performance, typically holding a bachelor's or master's degree.
Yes. The program is delivered 100% online with asynchronous coursework, allowing you to complete your studies anytime, anywhere without scheduled class meeting times.
No. CUC offers two tracks: Track 1 (36 credits) is designed for students who do not meet ACSM prerequisite course requirements and includes foundational anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology courses. Track 2 (30 credits) is designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science or a related field.
The primary objective of the program is to prepare students for the American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP) exam. Coursework also supports preparation for NSCA-CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) and other advanced credentials.
Tuition is $575 per credit hour (plus an $18 per credit technology fee). Under Concordia University Chicago's Tuition Guarantee, your tuition rate remains locked and will never increase as long as you maintain continuous enrollment.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 2.85 GPA. Application materials include an online application, official transcripts from all institutions attended, an objective statement, and letters of recommendation. No GRE or entrance exams are required.
Yes. Eligible graduates of CUC's MS in Applied Exercise Science program may transfer up to 12 credit hours toward CUC's online PhD in Exercise Science, accelerating their timeline to earning a doctoral degree.
Admissions & Requirements
Start your graduate journey with an accessible, straightforward application process. Admission to the MS in Applied Exercise Science requires a completed bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.85 GPA, official transcripts, an objective statement, and letters of recommendation. No GRE is required.
Tuition Guarantee & Affordability
At $575 per credit hour, Concordia University Chicago provides an affordable investment in your professional future. With our Tuition Guarantee, your tuition rate will never increase while you remain continuously enrolled. Financial aid, payment plans, and personalized guidance make advancing your career manageable.
Faculty Who Connect Scientific Theory with Clinical Practice
Concordia University Chicago's Exercise & Sport Science graduate faculty are active practitioners, researchers, and certified specialists in athletic training, clinical exercise physiology, and performance coaching. Through small class sizes and personalized virtual mentorship, our faculty provide one-on-one support to help you connect classroom learning directly to clinical settings, gym floors, and corporate health programs.
