What Jobs Can You Get With a Master’s in Applied Exercise Science: Exercise Physiology?

A Master’s in Applied Exercise Science with a concentration in Exercise Physiology opens the door to advanced roles in clinical rehabilitation, performance training, wellness leadership and research. While starting salaries may not always match those of licensed allied-health professions, the degree positions you for stronger earning potential and leadership track roles than a bachelor’s alone. With thoughtful career planning, certification attainment and specialization, you can build a sustainable and fulfilling career in exercise science.

Why This Degree Matters

Pursuing a master’s level credential in exercise physiology signals both depth of knowledge and readiness for more advanced practice. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that for the occupation of “Exercise Physiologists” a bachelor’s degree is typical, but master’s degree programs are also available.

Graduate programs emphasize applied skills, hands-on internships, research tracks and preparation for certification through organizations like the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).

This degree, therefore, offers flexibility—you can enter clinical settings, corporate wellness, athletic performance or research—and helps you stand out in the job market.

Common Career Paths and What They Pay

Here are several roles you might pursue with a Master’s in Applied Exercise Science (Exercise Physiology concentration), along with typical responsibilities and earnings:

Clinical Exercise Physiologist

Working in hospitals, rehabilitation centers or cardiac/pulmonary rehab, you design exercise protocols for patients recovering from illness or managing chronic conditions. Programs such as the one at Concordia University Chicago (Exercise Physiology concentration) list this as a primary path.

Strength & Conditioning Coach / Performance Specialist

You may work with athletes, teams or high-performance clients to improve training, reduce injury risk and enhance performance.

Corporate Wellness or Health Promotion Director

Many organizations are investing in employee health, preventive programs and wellness initiatives. With a master’s, you can move into leadership roles designing, implementing and overseeing wellness programs in corporate or community settings.

Researcher or Higher Education Instructor

If you pursue a thesis-track option during your Master’s, you can prepare for roles in applied research, lab work or teaching exercise science at the college level.

How to Maximize Your Return on This Degree

To make the most of your Master’s in Applied Exercise Science: Exercise Physiology concentration and position yourself for strong career outcomes, consider the following strategies:

• Choose a program with clear certification alignment
  Ensure your curriculum prepares you for credentialing (ACSM, NSCA) and includes a practicum or internship.
• Specialize or pick a niche
  Whether you lean clinical (cardiac rehab), performance (strength & conditioning) or wellness (corporate health), having a specialty helps differentiate you.
• Gain applied experience during your program
  Look for internships, lab work or research opportunities. Real-world experience helps translate your degree into job readiness.
• Stack certifications
  A master’s degree plus credentials such as ACSM-CEP or NSCA-CSCS improves your competitiveness. Job postings for advanced roles often expect both.
• Plan your career progression
  Early on, you might be an exercise physiologist or wellness coordinator. With experience and role growth, you could move into leadership, program director, clinical manager or research lead roles with higher compensation.

Realistic Outcomes and Considerations

While a master’s degree gives you more options and a competitive edge, it’s not a guarantee of an ultra-high salary immediately. Job growth remains healthy: the BLS indicates about 10% growth for exercise physiologists over the next decade, driven by an aging population and rising interest in wellness and prevention.

You should budget for the cost of the master’s degree (tuition, time) and map out expected roles, starting salary and career steps. With good planning, you can expect to recoup your investment by stepping into a role that leverages your graduate credentials, specialization and applied experience.

Launch Your Career

Earning a Master’s in Applied Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology concentration from Concordia University Chicago can open doors to a wide range of rewarding careers in performance training, rehabilitation, strength and conditioning and beyond. Whether you’re aiming to work with elite athletes, support clinical populations or lead health initiatives in your community, this program equips you with the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to make a meaningful impact. With a flexible online format and expert faculty support, CUC helps you turn your passion for human performance into a purposeful career.

Find your fit. Book a call to chat with our admissions team if you have any questions.