Online Master’s in Applied Exercise Science – Coaching, PES Prep Included

Improve athletic performance and prepare for NASM’s Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) exam with an MS in Applied Exercise Science, Sports Performance Training concentration, at Concordia University Chicago (CUC).

Help Others Achieve Their Athletic Goals

Application Deadline: August 19, 2026
Classes Start: August 24, 2026

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#1 Online Master’s in Sports Science

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#11 Best Online
College 2024

$575 Per
Credit

Online Master’s Degree Program in Applied Exercise Science

Earn your degree from CUC in Applied Exercise Science: Sports Performance Training to bring athletes to peak physical performance.

Sports Performance Training Concentration Details

Our 100% online MS in Applied Exercise Science, Sports Performance Training concentration, is designed for working adults, with classes that can be completed anytime, anywhere. We keep class sizes small, so you can connect with your classmates and professors. Dual concentrations are also available.

Our MS in Applied Exercise Science, Sports Performance Training concentration was developed to give students the skills they need to strengthen athletic performance and promote optimum wellness.

Pursue a Sports Performance Training Concentration

The Sports Performance and Training concentration was designed for coaches, athletic trainers and other sports professionals who work with all levels of athletes from high school players up through Olympic competitors. This concentration prepares individuals for the Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) exam.

According to the NASM website, “top teams in the NFL and NBA have now begun requiring the NASM–PES credential.” Accelerate your career with a sports performance training master’s.

Curriculum

Required Core Courses

AES-6020: Students will explore upper extremity musculoskeletal anatomy with emphasis on systems that enable the human body to maintain proper stabilization and produce efficient movements. Students will develop human movement analysis techniques through assessment and evaluation of biomechanical movement patterns.

or

AES-6040: Application of mechanical principles to human movement with focus on the principles of kinematics and kinetics to the human body during movement. Prerequisite: B or higher in AES-6020 or AES-6030.

AES-6030: Students will explore trunk and lower extremity musculoskeletal anatomy with emphasis on systems that enable the human body to maintain proper stabilization and produce efficient movements. Students will develop human movement analysis techniques through assessment and evaluation of biomechanical movement patterns.

or

AES-6045: Apply principles of kinematics and kinetics of the human body in movement and sport activities. Prerequisite: B or higher in AES-6040.

Selected research techniques and designs utilized in exercise science research with emphasis on general statistics, interpretation of data, research ethics, scientific writing and library use.

AES-6200: Effects of exercise on the major systems of the human body, including cardiorespiratory, neuromuscular, glandular and digestive; with emphasis on optimizing human performance. Prerequisite: B or higher in AES-6050 or division chair consent.

or

AES-6250: Advanced study of energy metabolism and the primary physiological systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular) in the context of exercise and performance. Advanced topics related to mechanisms and adaptations relating to physiology during exercise. Prerequisite: B or higher in AES-6050.

Explores the relationships between nutrition, energy metabolism, and exercise and sport performance, with an in-depth analysis of dietary and nutritional supplementation. Prerequisite: B or higher in AES-6050, and AES-6200 or AES-6250.

Culminating experience in the Master of Science in Applied Exercise Science degree. Experiences may include, but are not limited to, independent research that leads to an actual product such as a publishable journal article, professional field experience, conference presentation, advanced certifications, program or facility development, website, online course materials or curriculum development. Prerequisite: B or higher in AES-6380, AES-6460, AES-6560, AES-6660, AES-6780 or AES-6860.

Required Program Courses

Examines a systematic approach to integrated performance training using the National Academy of Sports Medicine’s Optimum Performance Training model. Designed to prepare students interested in becoming a Performance Enhancement Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Prerequisite: B or higher in AES-6020 or AES-6040, AES-6030 or AES-6045, and AES-6050, or division chair consent.

Explores program design principles for integrated sports performance training, with an emphasis on the National Academy of Sports Medicine’s Optimum Performance Training model. Prerequisite: B or higher in AES-6600 or division chair consent.

Planning and implementation of an integrated sports performance training program through a case study with a member of their community. Prerequisite: B or higher in AES-6620 or division chair consent.

In-depth study of selected advanced topics in sports performance training. Prerequisite: B or higher in AES-6620 or division chair consent.

 

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 2.85 minimum GPA
  • Objective statement
  • Letters of recommendation


Learn More

The CUC Advantage

A Dedication to Integrity

Integrity forms the cornerstone of CUC’s principles. Our faculty, staff and students are committed to living genuinely, guided by their faith. Within our programs, students are encouraged to exhibit resilience and unwavering dedication to their academic endeavors.

Cost-Effectiveness

CUC’s Exercise Physiology Concentration is competitively priced and provides a high return on investment. More information on Tuition and Fees.

Esteemed Faculty

Tap into the knowledge of experienced faculty members in the realm of exercise science. Be assured, you will receive top-notch education from leaders in the industry.

Institutional Accreditation

Concordia University Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to award baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees.

Industry Certification

This program prepares individuals for the National Academy of Sports Medicine’s Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) exam.

Sports Performance Career Outlook

Our MS in Applied Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Performance Training equips students with the essential skills to enhance athletic performance and promote optimal wellness. This program is specifically designed for coaches, athletic trainers and sports professionals who work with athletes of all levels, from high school players to Olympic competitors. By pursuing a Sports Performance Training concentration, students can accelerate their careers and gain a competitive edge in the dynamic field of sports performance training, ultimately helping athletes achieve their peak potential.

Potential Careers

  • Strength and Conditioning Coach: Design and implement training programs that enhance athletes’ strength, speed and agility, helping them reach peak performance in their respective sports.
  • Sports Performance Specialist: Work with athletes to develop and refine specific skills, such as power, endurance and flexibility, using advanced training techniques and technology.
  • Athletic Performance Analyst: Use data and technology to assess and improve athletic performance, identifying strengths and areas for improvement to optimize training and competition outcomes.
  • High-Performance Director: Lead and manage sports performance programs for teams or organizations, overseeing all aspects of athlete development, including training, nutrition and injury prevention.
  • Personal Trainer for Elite Athletes: Provide one-on-one training to professional or high-level amateur athletes, creating customized workout routines that target their unique performance goals and physical needs.

Lock in Your Tuition!

As long as there are no interruptions in your course of study, we guarantee your tuition will remain the same and never increase while earning this degree. This guarantee ensures a stable and predictable investment in your education.

Don’t miss out on our Tuition Guarantee – enroll today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

A Master’s in Applied Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Performance Training can open up various career opportunities in the field of athletics, fitness and sports performance. Here are some potential career paths:

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Work with athletes to design and implement strength training, conditioning and injury prevention programs tailored to their specific sport and individual needs. This role can be within amateur or professional sports teams, athletic departments or private training facilities.

Sports Performance Specialist: Provide specialized training and coaching services to athletes to enhance their performance in specific areas such as speed, agility, power and endurance. This role may involve working with individual athletes or teams across different sports.

Exercise Physiologist: Conduct fitness assessments, design exercise programs and provide guidance on nutrition and lifestyle interventions to improve athletes’ performance and overall health. Exercise physiologists may work in sports performance centers, healthcare facilities or research institutions.

Sports Scientist: Conduct research to enhance understanding of human performance in sports and develop evidence-based training protocols and interventions. Sports scientists may work in academia, sports organizations or research institutes.

Sports Performance Analyst: Use data analysis and technology tools to assess athletes’ performance, identify areas for improvement and optimize training strategies. Sports performance analysts play a crucial role in enhancing athletes’ performance through data-driven insights.

Fitness Director/Manager: Oversee fitness programs and services in gyms, health clubs or sports facilities. A master’s degree in sports performance training can provide the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage fitness programs and ensure clients’ goals are met.

Personal Trainer/Sports Coach: Work one-on-one with clients or athletes to provide personalized training, coaching and motivation to help them achieve their fitness or performance goals.

Overall, a Master’s in Applied Exercise Science equips graduates with the knowledge, skills and credentials to pursue rewarding careers in various roles within the sports and fitness industry.

The salary you can expect with a Master’s in Applied Exercise Science with a Sports Performance Training concentration can vary widely depending on factors such as your location, the specific role and your level of experience.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist is $68,249 in 2024.

Yes, we offer financial assistance to students in our Applied Exercise Science master’s program. Please visit our Financial Aid page for more information.

Established in 1864 as Addison Lutheran Teachers Seminary, Concordia University Chicago has evolved into a comprehensive institution with nearly 6,000 full-time students pursuing undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. The university is an integral part of the nationwide Concordia University System, which encompasses six colleges and universities.

Concordia-Chicago continues to prepare the next generation of leaders to live a life fulfilled by purpose and meaning. With Christ at the Center of all it does, the University inspires students through the Gospel, which lives and forms them as God’s calling takes root.

Concordia University Chicago offers students online higher education courses in various kinesiology and health sciences related fields. Graduate coursework is completed fully online for our programs and helps prepare students for successful careers.

Apply today to start pursuing your master’s degree. Stand tall with Concordia University Chicago.

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Student Testimonials 

“The professors are super helpful. Two of my professors who were very meaningful to me were also athletic trainers. They would meet every few weeks and talk about the coursework and my job.

Get to know your professors. They can help you with day to day or even land a job. Send an introductory email so stand out as a student. You can get to learn about how they are experts in their field.”

Dallas Grato, Former Student at CUC

“Make that commitment that once you’re going to start the program that you are going to be dedicated to completing it and finishing it.”

“Be committed to see it through and give 100% because that’s really how you’re going to be able to take what you learn and apply it into a career setting.”

Emily, Former Student at CUC
“It’s hard to get your masters and be a mom, to be working full time. But it’s a great sense of ‘yeah I did that, while working a full time job, it’s rewarding”.

I would say Concordia and getting my masters was the jumpstart of what made me great today.”

Renee Balconi, Former Student at CUC

“CISSN I passed with flying colors and I got over a 90%.” Getting your Masters degree prepares you to be an auto mechanic. When you get your Masters you learn how to build the car so it teaches you how to understand the scientific principles very deeply that surround these certifications.

I will tell you that it improved my practice a hundred times over just having a really strong grip on the scientific foundations that builds the certification. I was balancing 5 kids and owning a gym. The professors are good at working with adults who are working. The program is entirely doable and designed for working adults and that’s why you choose asynchronous online education.

A big thank you to all the amazing professors I had in my time at Concordia, I will tell you I really got my money’s worth out of that program. You are going to get out what you put in. If you put in the work you will reap the reward. You will make the connections you need to make. You will learn what you need to learn to be a better practitioner”

Nicole, Former Student at CUC

Your Path to Elevating Athletic Performance Starts Here

Discover how CUC’s MS in Applied Exercise Science, Sports Performance Training concentration, empowers you to excel in the competitive world of athletic performance and wellness. Take the first step toward transforming your career with this cutting-edge program.

Deadline to Apply

August 19, 2026

Start Date

August 24, 2026

Cost Per Credit

$575