Majors & Minors

The major in Athletic Training is now an innovative 3+2 program structure where students complete both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in a total of five years. Incoming freshmen declare the major Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, and then apply to the Professional Master of Science in Athletic Training program in their third academic year.

When accepted to the program, these students then complete both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the last two years of the program, allowing students to earn graduate credits at a discounted undergraduate rate.

Students with a bachelor’s degree from another institution are also encouraged to apply to the Marshall University Athletic Training program. These students can complete the MS portion of the program in two years like most traditional master’s degree programs in Athletic Training.

Students in the Biomechanics major benefit from the program’s highly experienced and motivated faculty. Both faculty are avid researchers, and students begin learning to use the major’s research equipment as early as sophomore year. Dedicated courses in biomechanical instrumentation and research ensure that every student has practical experience collecting and processing data prior to graduation. Students take numerous classes in physics, anatomy, and kinesiology to build the understanding of movement and mechanics required to conduct research.

Students in the Biomechanics major can expect to conduct original research at the undergraduate and graduate level. Students frequently complete the major with a publishable or presentation-ready research product, and many students in the major have traveled nationally and internationally to present their research findings.

Exercise Science is a multidisciplinary field of study involving the active human body in the areas of anatomy, physiology, metabolism, and kinetics. Exercise Science is a growing field and an allied health profession. Exercise Science professionals work to understand the effects of therapeutic exercise for:

• Health related outcomes in those with chronic diseases and conditions.
• Fitness programming and outcomes across the general population’s lifespan; and
• Sports performance training principles for athletes of all levels.

Students enrolled in Marshall University’s Exercise Science major obtain hands-on experiences with health, fitness and sport assessments and testing within our state-of-the-art Exercise Physiology Laboratories. Internship or Graduate Assistant opportunities involve working with community members in the Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Exercise Center or with general populations and athletes in the Human Performance Lab.

Kinesiology is a multidisciplinary field of study involving the active human body in the areas of anatomy, physiology, nutrition, psychology, and kinetics to understand how the human body moves and operates.

Kinesiology offers a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to study the body and body systems in order to improve human health.

Graduates from this major will have an included minor in Occupational Safety and Health.

Students that graduate with a major in kinesiology often go into graduate programs in various health related professions such as physical therapy school, occupational therapy school, athletic training, physicians assistant school, medical school, doctor of osteopathy, exercise physiology, sports science, chiropractic school, public health, occupational safety & health, and other graduate level health and health care fields.

The Sports Science, Masters of Science degree at Marshall University, housed within the School of Health and Movement Sciences (SHMS), integrates exercise science, biomechanics, physiology, and technology to optimize athletic performance and human movement. Designed for students passionate about enhancing sports performance through data-driven decision-making, this program provides a comprehensive understanding of the physiological, biomechanical, and psychological factors influencing athletic success.

At Marshall University, the Strength & Conditioning major prepare students to become industry-leading professionals who blend cutting-edge science with hands-on coaching. Rooted in the Exercise Science curriculum, our undergraduate and graduate programs emphasize the development of critical knowledge in biomechanics, physiology, motor learning, and data analysis—combined with real-world application through immersive labs and field experiences.