Earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degree in just four years and a summer and advance your expertise in human performance. The College’s Master of Science in Exercise Science (MSES) is designed to equip individuals with critical thinking, research, and evidence-based practice skills across disciplines like biomechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, and motor control. If you are interested in meeting the increased demand for professionals in areas such as clinical exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, corporate wellness, and related health professions, the MSES is the perfect fit for you.
Position yourself to excel in further graduate studies in physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, physician assistant studies or other health fields, or advance your career in health, fitness or human performance right out of the gate.
To qualify for admission to the College’s 3+1 program to earn a Master of Science in Exercise Science (MSES), you must meet all application requirements listed below no later than October 1st to be considered for the next fall cohort.
The MSES originates from and emphasizes the liberal arts. Our program is 36 credit hours and offers an interdisciplinary curriculum through 9 uniquely crafted courses. Through four core courses, four targeted courses and a practicum capstone, you gain the expertise to lead with confidence in today’s increasingly complex health and wellness sector.
Our 3+1 MSES program launches a new cohort each fall. Complete the 3+1 MSES curriculum in just 12 months over three terms! Our next cohort’s academic calendar is as follows:
| 2026-2027 AY | Term Dates |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | 08/26/26-12/10/26 |
| Spring 2027 | 02/02/27-05/14/27 |
| Summer 2027 | 05/17/27-08/13/27 |
For the 3+1 degree, students pay their regular undergraduate tuition and fees (and keep their undergraduate financial aid) during their senior year, and then pay the below tuition and fees for the final summer of graduate-level study.
Note: The College of Idaho’s tuition and fees are due in full on or before May 1st. The amounts above reflect the total cost of the 3+1 program (above the cost of regular undergraduate tuition/fees) based on the current tuition and fees schedules. Tuition and fees in future academic years are subject to change. The upcoming year’s tuition and fees schedules are posted in late spring.
After you've been accepted to the 3+1 program, you must pay a $1,000 matriculation deposit to secure your spot in the graduate program. This one-time, non-refundable deposit is credited toward your summer tuition.
We require graduate students to purchase textbooks for their courses. Students may order books from The College of Idaho's online bookstore, which MBS Direct manages. Students with book vouchers can use them through MBS Direct.
Alternatively, students can order or rent books from other sources, such as Amazon, independent booksellers, textbook sites like textbooks.com or ecampus.com or directly from publishers. Before purchasing, students should carefully review book requirements and ensure they obtain the correct edition, using the ISBN for accuracy.
Note: The Cruzen-Murray Library does not endorse any of the retailers listed. We are providing this information for the benefit of students.
All graduate students enrolled in a residential certificate, master’s or doctoral program at The College of Idaho, or participating in a College athletic program, must have health insurance coverage. Students enrolled in a hybrid program or an exclusively online program are encouraged but not mandated to have health insurance unless their immigration status requires it.
Graduate students can purchase student health insurance through The College of Idaho. The health insurance premium is $2,492 for the 2025-2026 plan year.
Students can qualify for federal financial assistance based on the information they submit in their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more about financial aid options, explore our financial resources for graduate students or contact Financial Aid Services at finaid@collegeofidaho.edu or 208-459-5380.
Whether you’re launching your career or a seasoned professional, the Master of Science in Exercise Science degree program advances your human performance expertise and prepares you to lead with confidence in today’s increasingly complex health and wellness sector.
Years to graduation, rather than the usual six, to earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees, giving you an extra two years of earning power.
Terms to complete nine courses, setting you on a path to become a human performance expert and a leader in today’s increasingly complex health and wellness sector.
Program with in-person courses during the fall and spring terms and fully online courses during your final summer, giving you maximum flexibility as you launch your career.
Only already admitted undergraduate students at The College of Idaho are eligible to apply for the 3+1/dual degree program. Students interested in the 3+1/dual degree program should speak with Academic Advising as early as possible to ensure they declare a health sciences major and take the associated courses at the appropriate time.
In the College’s 3+1/dual degree program, you will spend your senior year of undergraduate program completing your bachelor’s degree as well as taking courses towards the completion of your master’s degrees. Students can keep their undergraduate financial aid during their senior year, and if they complete all degree requirements for their bachelor’s degree, they will earn that degree at the end of their senior year in May. Following graduation, students will enroll in a final summer of graduate-level study, which is billed at the MSES tuition rate. If students complete all degree requirements for their master’s degree, they will earn that degree upon completion of that final summer of study in August. Students must complete all degree requirements of both programs to earn both degrees.
If you are interested in applying to the College’s 3+1/dual degree program, you will need to complete the following steps:
When completing the 3+1/dual degree in exercise science, below is what you can expect your senior year to look like:
Senior-Year Fall
Senior-Year Spring
Post-Undergrad Summer – Session I
Post-Undergrad Summer – Session II
A graduate degree in exercise science enhances graduates’ qualifications for careers in clinical exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, corporate wellness, and related health professions. Additionally, such a degree can bolster applications to terminal degrees programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, physician assistant studies or other health or medical fields.
Upon completion of the College’s Master of Science in Exercise Science program, graduates will:
Mastery of these educational objectives will result in graduates who are skilled, evidence-driven, and ethical professionals prepared to advance human health, performance, and well-being in an ever-evolving scientific and clinical landscape.
During the fall and spring semesters, the instruction for the 3+1/dual degree in exercise science will take place on-campus in Caldwell. During the final summer, all courses will be delivered exclusively online with optional in-person or virtual sessions or immersion experiences.
Join a program designed to develop dynamic human performance experts. Our 3+1 degree in exercise science allows you to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in four years and equips you to thrive in a variety of health, performance and human physiology professions.
2112 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell, ID 83605
208-459-5011 • 800-2C-IDAHO
