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Apply to the Exercise Sports Sciences Graduate Program

Step 1: Apply to the master's degree program


    • Provide the following supplemental items:
      • Transcripts – Official transcripts are required from all colleges or universities attended. To be considered official, transcripts will need to be sent directly from the institution to Marian at GRadmissions@marian.edu. Refer to marian.edu/transcripts for details regarding coursework completed outside of the U.S.
      • Recommendations – Submit two letters of recommendation, one from the primary academic advisor and one from a faculty member in the basic sciences.
      • Resume – Submit a current resume that highlights work experience and academic/professional accomplishments.

    • Meet the following requirements:
      • An earned bachelor’s degree from a CHEA and USDE-approved institution prior to the start of the program.
      • Undergraduate degree transcript demonstrates an overall GPA greater than 3.0.
      • Transcripts demonstrating a GPA greater than 3.0 in the following courses:
        • Cell biology with laboratory
        • Human physiology with laboratory
        • General chemistry with laboratory
        • Organic chemistry
        • Exercise science

  • Once the file is complete, it will be sent to the Admissions Committee for review.

Step 2: File review and admission decision

Admission is dependent on the following qualifications.

Automatic admission

Students who have met the minimum requirement for application will be admitted automatically if their cumulative GPA is at least 3.5 on the following courses:

  • Cell biology with laboratory
  • Human physiology with laboratory
  • One year of general chemistry
  • One year of organic chemistry
  • At least three courses in exercise science

Admission pending a successful interview

Students who have met the minimum requirement for application will be offered an admission interview if their cumulative GPA is at least 3.0 on the following courses:

  • Cell biology with laboratory
  • Human physiology with laboratory
  • One year of general chemistry
  • One semester of organic chemistry
  • At least two courses in exercise science

Provisional admission

Students who have met the minimum requirement for application may request consideration for provisional admission if their cumulative GPA is at least 3.0 on the following courses:

  • Human physiology with laboratory
  • One year of general chemistry
  • At least one course in exercise science

Existing Marian University students may apply for admission in the semester prior to their intended entrance into the 4+1 program.

Step 1: Apply to the 4+1 Program


    • Applicants are expected to meet the following minimum requirements.

    • Attainment of junior (62 credit hours) status by the start of the semester in which they take their first course.

    • An unofficial (from MUHUB) transcript demonstrating an overall GPA greater than 3.0.

    • An unofficial (from MUHUB) transcript demonstrating a GPA greater than 3.0 in the following courses:
      • BIO 226 or BIO 334
      • CHE 140-141L-142-143L
      • ESS 120
      • one other ESS course

  • Students who have also earned at least a “B” grade in:
    • BIO 203
    • BIO 204
    • a 300+ level BIO course
    • CHE 306
    • a 300+ level ESS course

Step 2: Apply to the master’s degree program

    • During the last semester of the undergraduate program, students may apply to the graduate program through the MU Application Portal.

    • Provide the following supplemental items:
      • Transcripts – Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.  
      • Recommendations – Submit two letters of recommendation, one from the primary academic advisor and one from a faculty member in the basic sciences.

  • Meet the following requirements:
    • Undergraduate degree transcript demonstrates an overall GPA greater than 3.0.
    • MU transcript demonstrates a GPA greater than 3.0 in the following courses:
      • BIO 226 or BIO 334
      • CHE 140-141L-142-143L
      • ESS 120
      • One other Ess course
    • Students who have also earned at least a “B” grade in:
        • BIO 203
        • BIO 204
        • a 300+ level BIO course
        • CHE 306
        • a 300+ level ESS course
  • Once the file is complete, it will be sent to the Admissions Committee for review.

Step 3: File Review and Admission Decision

Admission is dependent on the following qualifications.

Direct admission:

Students who satisfy these requirements can be admitted directly without the need for an interview.

    • MU transcript demonstrates an overall GPA greater than 3.5
    • MU transcript demonstrates a GPA greater than 3.5 in the following courses:

      • BIO 226 or BIO 334
      • CHE 140-141L-142-143L
      • ESS 120
      • one other ESS course

    • Students who have also earned at least an “A-” grade in:

    • BIO 203
    • BIO 204
    • a 300+ level BIO course
    • CHE 306
    • a 300+ level ESS course

Admission is dependent upon interview and admissions committee review:

Students who satisfy these application requirements can be offered an admissions interview, and the application packet will be considered by our internal admissions committee.

  • MU transcript demonstrates an overall GPA greater than 3.0.
  • MU transcript demonstrates a GPA greater than 3.0 in the following courses:
    • BIO 226 or BIO 334
    • CHE 140-141L-142-143L
    • ESS 120
    • one other ESS course
  • Students who have also earned at least a “B” grade in:
    • BIO 203
    • BIO 204
    • a 300+ level BIO course
    • CHE 306
    • a 300+ level ESS course

Provisional admission dependent upon interview and admissions committee review:

Students with one or more missing requirements can petition for provisional acceptance pending completion of the missing requirements and a successful interview.


  • MU transcript demonstrates an overall GPA greater than 3.0.
  • MU transcript demonstrates a GPA greater than 3.0 in the following courses:
    • BIO 226 or BIO 334
    • CHE 140-141L-142-143L
    • ESS 120
    • one other ESS course
  • Students who have also earned at least a “B” grade in:
    • BIO 203
    • BIO 204
    • a 300+ level BIO course
    • CHE 306
    • a 300+ level ESS course

Note: For an applicant seeking a provisional admission, the admission decision will consider factors such as other academic accomplishments, relevant work experiences, relevant nationally recognized certifications, and the quality of the on-campus interview.

Application deadline

Semester Application deadline File completion deadline Semester start date
Fall 7/15/25 8/1/25 8/18/25
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(317) 955-6000

admissions@marian.edu
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