Program Description
The combined B.S./M.S. in Exercise Science is an accelerated pathway to earning a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in five years for students in either exercise science concentration. The program is well suited for students interested in developing a greater depth of expertise in exercise science under an expedited timeframe. This is especially the case for students seeking admission into doctoral programs or employment in clinical exercise physiology and upper-level positions involving exercise training. In the combined program students take nine credit hours of required “swing courses” at the graduate level in their fourth year, in place of nine credit hours of undergraduate electives. The remaining 24 credit hours of graduate requirements are completed during the fifth year, which may include some coursework during the summer between the 4th and 5th years.
Students benefit from the reduced cost and time of the combined degree, allowing them to embark on their careers more expeditiously. Reasons to enroll in the combined program are provided below.
- Graduate early – take graduate courses during your senior year that will count towards both your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
- Significant tuition savings – on average, students save as much as $7,000 in pursuing a combined degree.
- Early opportunities for mentored research training – students can become more involved with active lines of research pursued by Exercise Science Faculty in the Human Performance Laboratory.
- Expedited application process for acceptance to the fifth year – letters of recommendation and application fee are not required.
Program Entry
All prospective candidates for the combined program must meet the requirements for acceptance to Montclair State University. High school seniors and transfer students may enter the program directly through undergraduate admissions. Alternatively, an MSU Exercise Science student with under 90 credits and a GPA above 3.0 may complete a combined program change of major form with their undergraduate advisor to switch to the combined program. Matriculated students in the combined program will be notified by The Graduate School when it is time to submit an expedited application for acceptance to the fifth year. Current Exercise Science students with more than 90 credits or a GPA below 3.0 are not eligible for admission to the combined program but can apply for the master’s degree through the traditional graduate application.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships are designed to provide financial support and research opportunities for graduate students while they pursue their degrees. This is the fifth year of the combined program. Graduate Assistants aid one or more faculty mentors in their research or other assigned work and are expected to be highly available. All Graduate Assistants are required to provide 20 hours of service per week (September-June) including during academic breaks and attending weekly seminars. Graduate Assistants must be accepted into the fifth year of the degree program by the Graduate School, and be selected through the Graduate Assistant application process within the Department of Exercise Science and Physical Education. To initiate the departmental Graduate Assistant application process click the link below. It is recommended that you become familiar with the research conducted within the department by contacting the department faculty and by reviewing the program website. To have the best chance of being selected as a Graduate Assistant it is suggested to have all application materials, including application to the graduate school, completed by March 15th for the following academic year.
For more information about the program please contact:
Your undergraduate advisor or
Dr. Michele M. Fisher
Telephone: 973-655-7120
Email: fisherm@montclair.edu