Exercise and Rehabilitation Science, MS

Program Director: Marie Hoeger Bement M.P.T., Ph.D.
Exercise and Rehabilitation Science website

Degree Offered

Master of Science

Department of Physical Therapy Mission

To prepare future health care practitioners and researchers with an education rich in clinical experiences, community outreach, and research opportunities to develop leaders guided by the values of “Cura Personalis.”

Learning Outcomes

The exercise and rehabilitation science (EXRS) master's program is designed to help students gain advanced knowledge in exercise physiology principles while developing skills related to research to help transition successfully to a doctoral program or clinical post-baccalaureate programs.

Graduates of the Master's Degree in Exercise and Rehabilitation Science Will be Able to:

  1. Deliver an effective oral presentation of the thesis or project.
  2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of pertinent literature of the chosen topic.
  3. Gather, organize, analyze and report data as appropriate for the project and as defined by mentor.
  4. Adhere to requirements for protection of human subjects.
  5. Interpret results in a way that relates to the research findings and adds to understanding in the field.
  6. Make a contribution to the scholarship or clinical practice in the field of exercise or rehabilitation medicine.

Program Description

The master of science degree in exercise and rehabilitation science is open to those with a related science major interested in strengthening their core undergraduate major with advanced course work in research methods, exercise physiology and rehabilitation science.

A master’s degree may strengthen a pre-professional student’s application for entry into physical therapy, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy or medical school. A student may choose from a variety of areas of emphasis for their degree including: community wellness, exercise physiology, neurologic control of movement, movement disorders, sports medicine including biomechanics or performance enhancement. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available.

The Clinical and Translational Science Institute of Southeastern Wisconsin is a major partner with Marquette’s exercise and rehabilitation science program. Marquette’s participation in this consortium expands opportunities for academic, medical and clinical research within Milwaukee. CTSI partner institutions include the Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the Zablocki V.A. Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin.

General Information

Students applying to the doctoral program must have successfully completed either a master’s degree in a related discipline or a post-baccalaureate clinical degree (D.P.T., M.P.T., M.P.A., M.S.N., M.D., etc.) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 (based on a 4.000 scale). Applicants to the master's program must have an undergraduate degree in a related field with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 (based on a 4.000 scale).

The GRE (if applicable) must have been completed within the previous six years, and official scores must be sent to Marquette University directly from Educational Testing Service.

Academic Standards

A cumulative GPA of 3.000 is required in the exercise and rehabilitation science program. The Policies tab describes the criteria and procedures for academic warnings, probation, removal of probation and dismissal. The exercise and rehabilitation science program strictly follows these policies and procedures.