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The College of St. Scholastica

A Hands-On Education for a Hands-On Career

Movement, activity, exercises — these aren’t things you can study while sitting behind a desk. They’re elements of an exercise physiology program that are best explored through firsthand experience.

As a student of the MS in Exercise Physiology program at St. Scholastica, you’ll prepare for key health, fitness, athletics, rehabilitation, and research positions through classroom instruction and laboratory experiences. You’ll also have opportunities to work with real clients in various settings, such as athletes, firefighters and police personnel, and assisted living residents prior to internships.

Upon completion, you’ll emerge from the Exercise Physiology program well-prepared to start work right away in a variety of areas, including fitness, cardiac rehabilitation, corporate wellness and other fields. Some students will use this additional knowledge and hands-on experience to successfully transition into postgraduate work.

Fast Facts

  • The latest technologies including metabolic analyzers, 12-lead ECG recorders and cardiac stress systems
  • Interprofessional learning opportunities with other Health Professions graduate students
  • On-campus anatomy lab
  • Accelerated one-year on-campus program
  • 100% retention rate (2022-23 accreditation report)
  • 32 total program credits

Receive Program Info and Financial Aid Options

  • Detailed program overview
  • Personalized financial aid
  • Individual admissions support

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The program prepared me for both clinical and performance-based employment.

Cody Carlson

Degree Details

Tuition

Tuition: $775/credit*


* Tuition rates are for the 2024-25 academic year. Additional fees and costs for course materials may apply. Total program cost and completion time varies depending on transfer credits and individual program plans. Tuition rates are subject to change. View 2023-24 rates

Program Overview

Program Description

The program consists of classroom and laboratory courses designed to develop exercise physiologists as critical thinkers, healthcare professionals and researchers.

Students will be prepared to assist in the ongoing development of programs in health and wellness, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, hospital-based clinical research and fitness programs that evaluate athletes and human performance activities. The program also prepares the students for advanced graduate work.

Laboratories and Other Facilities

The Department of Exercise Physiology is housed in the most recent addition to the Burns Wellness Center and includes one fully equipped laboratory and a multi-functional room that can be used as a lab. In addition, the graduate-level Functional Anatomy lab is housed in the Science Center.

A Full Range of State-of-the-Art Equipment

The Department’s two laboratories offer a full complement of metabolic, cardiographic and physiologic assessment equipment. A primary objective of the Department is to provide quality hands-on laboratory and research experiences for all students, so all of our equipment is available for student use rather than set aside for faculty or graduate research. This equipment includes:

  • Two Medical Graphics Ultima IITM metabolic analyzers with cardiac output; one with 12-lead ECG capabilities
  • A Medical Graphics Cardio2TM metabolic analyzer that has been upgraded with the latest software available and continues to produce research quality data
  • A Marquette CASE 8000TM Stress Test and Electrocardiographic system
  • A Quinton® Q-Tel RMS v3.1 telemetry system
  • Four additional stand-alone ECG monitor
  • Multiple treadmills, cycle and rowing ergometers
  • A variety of stadiometers, scales, skin-fold calipers and body fat analyzers
  • Additional equipment for assessing fitness and strength (dynamometers, goniometers, sit-and-reach boxes)
  • Ten desktop computers. In addition, the campus offers 24/7 wireless internet access
Functional Anatomy Lab

The anatomy lab, used for the graduate-level Functional Anatomy course, allows the student the opportunity to see and experience the complexity of the human body and its inner structures through hands-on dissection. Uncovering and discovering the body through dissection provides the student with an experience that reveals the body’s elaborate systems, organs and tissues and how they interconnect and function as one.

Location

This program is offered at our Duluth campus as a full-time day program.

Curriculum

Visit our Catalog to view the program, course and degree requirements, and learning outcomes. Be sure to create your course plan in consultation with your advisor.

Career Outlook

Graduates of the program continue on to a diverse range of clinical and applied settings ranging from healthcare and fitness/wellness to athletics and entrepreneurial endeavors. Some graduates also choose to pursue graduate and professional degrees to better position themselves for careers in teaching, research and other healthcare professions.

Accreditation

The MS in Exercise Physiology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and meets the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Applied Exercise Physiology.

Admission Information

Visit our admissions page for information about transcripts, online application, international admissions and financing.

Application Deadline

Start Term: Fall
Final deadline: Aug. 15

Rolling admission until the program is full. Complete applications are considered as they are received.

Eligibility

New Students
  • BA/BS degree from a regionally accredited college or university (major or concentration in exercise physiology is preferred, but not required)
  • Preferred minimum cumulative GPA 2.8
Note: Meeting minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.
Returning Students

A returning student is a student who was admitted and enrolled in a program at St. Scholastica but has been absent from the program for at least three continuous semesters, including summer. To return to the same program at St. Scholastica, a returning student must be in good academic standing and must apply for readmission to the College.

Recommended Coursework

Although not a prerequisite, it is strongly recommended that applicants have some academic background in statistics, anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, chemistry, algebra, physics and research methods.

Accepted Students

  • After you are notified a decision has been made regarding your application, log into your application portal, view your decision letter and click “Reply to Offer”
  • Submit $250 non-refundable deposit

Meet Our Faculty

Experienced, Dedicated and Distinguished Educators

Expect to be heard, to be challenged and to be involved. St. Scholastica faculty are world-class scholars and experts in their field who invest in your success. Our values of community, respect, stewardship, hospitality and love of learning reflect our faculty’s commitment to lifting up others and celebrating our common humanity.