Kinesiology

  • MS
  • Master's
One student laying on a table describes how he's feeling to a trainer as the trainer stretches the student's hamstring. Another student looks on, observing the trainer.

Advance your career in exercise science and sport administration. The Master of Science in Kinesiology at Montclair State University is designed for you if you’re ready to take the next step in your career in exercise science, sport performance or clinical rehabilitation. This 33-credit program can be completed in two years, with evening and hybrid classes that fit your schedule. 

The program’s Exercise & Sport Science concentration provides advanced training in exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning and sport psychology, with electives in cardiac rehabilitation, coaching techniques and exercise programming. You’ll also gain valuable research experience and complete either an internship or research project as your capstone. 

Graduates are well-prepared for careers in strength and conditioning, clinical exercise physiology, or for continuing their education in fields such as physical therapy, medicine, or academia.  

Program Highlights

  • Complete your degree in two years / 33 credits
  • Evening and hybrid classes designed for working professionals
  • Hands-on training in our state-of-the-art Human Performance Laboratory
  • Choice of internship or research project as a capstone experience
  • Expert faculty with strong ties to the sport, health, and research fields
  • No GRE required; prerequisites in Anatomy & Physiology, Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology

Take the next step in your career with a master’s degree in Kinesiology from Montclair State.

Exercise Your Options!

Montclair State University’s MS in Kinesiology offers two dynamic concentrations—Exercise Science and Sport Administration. Whether you’re preparing for a career in clinical exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, or pursuing leadership roles in athletics and sport management

The Exercise & Sport Science Concentration at Montclair State University offers advanced training in exercise physiology, biomechanics, and sport science, preparing you for success in both clinical and performance settings. Through specialized coursework, you’ll explore areas such as coaching techniques, exercise programming, cardiac rehabilitation, neuromotor physiology, and sport psychology, while gaining valuable experience in our state-of-the-art Human Performance Laboratory.

Designed with flexibility in mind, most classes are offered in the evenings and hybrid formats, making it ideal for working professionals. You’ll also complete a capstone internship or research project, giving you practical, career-focused experience.

Graduates are well-prepared for careers in strength and conditioning, clinical exercise physiology, and rehabilitative care, or for further study toward becoming a physical therapist, physician, physician assistant, or university professor. With expert faculty and cutting-edge resources, you’ll be positioned to lead in the fast-growing field of exercise science.

See the curriculum.

The Sport Administration Concentration at Montclair State University prepares you for leadership roles in the rapidly growing sports industry. This program blends a strong foundation in sport administration with the flexibility to specialize in athletic administration, coaching or sport business, depending on your career goals.

Graduate courses are offered in evening and hybrid formats, giving you the flexibility to balance your studies with work or athletic commitments. You’ll also complete an internship or research project as your capstone experience, gaining valuable, real-world skills in sport management and leadership.

Graduates are well-prepared for careers as athletic directors, coaches, recreation directors, and sport business managers in areas like sales, marketing, facilities management, event coordination, and guest relations. This concentration also provides a strong pathway to advanced graduate study for those seeking to further specialize.

With expert faculty and fully mediated classrooms, Montclair State delivers the tools you need to succeed in sport administration and leadership.

See the curriculum.

Admission Requirements

  • Equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree.
  • Applicants with non-U.S. degrees: Please visit the international applicants page to review U.S. degree equivalency information.
  • Applicants for the concentration in Exercise Science must have a bachelor's degree with evidence of coursework in anatomy and physiology, physiology of exercise, and kinesiology (or biomechanics). Students lacking adequate preparation may be required to take additional coursework at the undergraduate level as a prerequisite to matriculation in the master's program.
  • Applicants with a GPA below 2.5 will not be considered.

Application Checklist

Application Deadline: Rolling admission.

  1. Online Application: Submit application and $60 non-refundable fee (or waiver if applicable).
  2. Transcript: One from each college attended.
  3. Essays/Personal Statement: Write one essay of no more than three double-spaced pages in response to the prompt below. Your essay can include some description, but it should also demonstrate that you have critically reflected on the profession and your potential place within it. Please write in a concise, formal, professional style. If you make generalizations or assertions, be sure to provide support for them. In one integrated essay, thoughtfully discuss each of the areas identified below:
    • Why you are interested in the profession in which you want to pursue graduate work and, if applicable, the particular concentration within that profession.
    • Your knowledge of issues and trends in this profession or field.
    • What areas and topics you hope to study in depth and why.
    • Any related professional or personal experiences you have had, including opportunities to collaborate with other professionals, and how these experiences make you particularly well-suited for the profession.
    • Potential challenges and opportunities associated with diversity you think are relevant to the profession you are pursuing. Be sure to explain what you mean by "diversity" (related, for example, to race, gender, age, sexual orientation, language, disability) and how it may pose challenges or present opportunities.
  4. Letters of Recommendation: Two.

Featured Faculty

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Questions? We're Here to Help.

If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please contact Graduate Admissions.

Graduate Admissions Office

Get guidance on every step of the application process, from admission requirements and deadlines to transcripts, test scores and next steps toward enrollment. The Office of Graduate Admissions provides the information and resources needed to put forward a strong application.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Michele Fisher

Get detailed information about the program itself—from curriculum and faculty expertise to research, internships and career outcomes. The program coordinator can explain how the program connects to your academic and professional goals.