Move into Your Future with Confidence
Turn your passion for movement into a meaningful career with Calvin’s hands-on, faith-integrated Master of Exercise Science—designed to launch you into health, rehab, or performance science careers in as little as just one year.
Our program integrates faith-based ethics, offers full- or part-time options, and includes personalized clinical placements to enhance your career in health, fitness, and rehabilitation.
Advance Health through Movement
Calvin’s Master of Exercise Science provides a hands-on program for recent graduates, career changers, and working professionals eager to turn a passion for health and athletic performance into a career promoting the health of others. Choose between two concentrations: Health and Exercise Rehabilitation or Performance and Sport Science.
You'll gain practical experience through clinical placements or externships—often leading directly to employment—at a site near where you live. Learn from experienced faculty, with coursework emphasizing the ethical considerations inherent in this field. With small class sizes and personalized advising, we will support you every step of the way.
Whether you aim to shift careers or expand your opportunities, Calvin’s program equips you with the skills, experience, and perspective to thrive in an in-demand field.
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What sets Calvin apart?
Faculty with expertise and years of industry experience.
Hands-on focus preparing you to step straight into a career.
Values shaping every course, providing a faith-based perspective foundational to transformative leadership.
At a Glance
Flexible format
12-25 months
Cost per credit
Easy application
Which Specialization Fits Your Career Goals?
Health and Exercise Rehabilitation
Prepare for a career that helps people develop achievable goals and maintain healthy lifestyle changes.
You'll experience:
Seven exercise science core courses and three concentration-specific courses that cover topics like cardiac rehabilitation, clinical exercise physiology, and more.
You’ll gain:
Lots of practical experience through a clinical placement, along with skills in specific areas such as administrative procedures and EKG use.
Performance and Sports Science
Combine essential physiology education with the skills it takes to impact the performance of athletes.
You’ll experience:
Seven exercise science core courses and three concentration-specific courses that cover topics like injury prevention, sport psychology, and more.
You’ll gain:
Skills to sit for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and CSCS exams, as well as the TSAC-F and CPSS certifications.
Careers you can build with those skills
Cardiac rehabilitation specialist – step into an in-demand role confronting rising health challenges like obesity, heart disease, diabetes.
Exercise physiologist – work in hospitals, wellness centers, or private practice.
Strength and conditioning coach – support athletes and teams in performance optimization.
Health and wellness coach – guide individuals in lifestyle change and chronic disease prevention.
Graduate school candidate – build your GPA and credentials for programs like physical therapy or occupational therapy.
Corporate or community fitness director – lead wellness initiatives in organizations or public health settings.
The skills you'll gain at Calvin
EKG interpretation and cardiac rehab protocols that prepare you for a clinical role in health and rehabilitation.
Exercise testing and prescription strategies tailored to diverse populations and performance goals.
Data analysis and performance tracking to evaluate rehabilitation progress and empower your clients and patients.
Clinical decision-making and ethical reasoning grounded in a unique, Reformed Christian perspective.
Hands-on experience through an externship or clinical placement, typically under professionals in your chosen career path.
Calvin works really well with my life and allows me to do things I love like coaching cross country and working at a cardiac rehab facility. I get to pursue my master's degree while living in a different time zone
Faculty
Kerrie P. Berends
Michael Wierenga
John Sparks
Pre-PT faculty advisor for kinesiology majors
FAQs
The program has part- and full-time options depending on your preference.
Yes. This program accepts transfer credit with program director approval.
Yes. You may choose from two concentrations: health and exercise rehabilitation or performance and sport science. Students can also pursue both concentrations.
Courses in the program were designed by mostly tenured professors and are taught by a combination of full-time and adjunct faculty who are experts in the field.
Students are responsible for purchasing their textbooks and required materials. Consider these costs when budgeting for your education.