Strength and Conditioning (B.S. and MSES) | Dual-Degree 4+1

Mastering strength and conditioning for peak performance

At Saint Xavier University, it has never been more convenient to pursue both an undergraduate degree and graduate degree that will take your career to the next level. Earn your Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Science in Exercise Science (MSES) in as little time as possible. The 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.

Format

On-Campus and Online

Program Length

Five years complete B.S. and MSES

Credit Hours

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

Important Dates

Next Start Date: Spring I - January 13, 2025

Online Info Sessions

Cost

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

Curriculum

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Why Earn Your MSES in Strength and Conditioning?

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

SXU is proud to offer a B.S./M.S. in Exercise Science Dual-Degree 4+1 program. This program is designed for students who would like to take advantage of completing both an undergraduate and graduate degree in less time than it would take to complete the two degrees separately.

Currently enrolled students in their senior year at SXU can apply and begin their MSES in their final semester. Students have the opportunity to finish their MSES in 10.5 months. In total, the program provides students the opportunity to earn a B.S. and MSES in as little as five years with up to six (6) hours of graduate coursework being accepted as undergraduate coursework.

Concurrent coursework

Undergraduate

Student's with undergraduate majors in health care-related fields at SXU will be able to participate in the 4+1 option. Currently enrolled students in their senior year at SXU can apply and begin their MSES courses in their final semester.

Graduate

Both the undergraduate and graduate courses are taught by content experts within the field of exercise science and strength and conditioning. This includes high-quality faculty who not only hold a terminal degree but also have been or are current practitioners. Having faculty who practice the craft provides value to students as they are being taught how to be content experts within the allied health field and in the major of strength and conditioning.

The Master of Science in Exercise Science courses that are considered the core are interdisciplinary based and focus on research methods, ethics, curriculum development, behavior psychology, information technology and culture, communication and ethics.

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 Masters 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 School of Nursing and Health Sciences 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.

Request Information

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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