Master of Science in Exercise Science Concentration in Sports Science
Sports science professionals are in demand in the U.S. and worldwide. In the Sport Science Concentration, part of the MS in Exercise Science program, you'll gain preparation for jobs in sports analytics and sports performance.
We want to hear from you!
Contact Mary Frye, graduate program staff assistant, at maryfrye@buffalo.edu for more information about the Sport Science concentration and admission to UB.
Turn data into decisions. Optimize athlete performance.
The MS in Exercise Science with a Concentration in Sports Science at the University at Buffalo prepares you to work at the intersection of technology, data analytics, and human performance. In today's professional and collegiate sports landscape, teams depend on sport scientists who can collect, analyze, and communicate performance data to drive training decisions, manage athlete health, and gain a competitive edge.
This 49-credit program combines a strong foundation in exercise physiology with specialized coursework in performance science, athlete monitoring systems, data measurement and analysis, and data visualization. You will learn to select and implement cutting-edge tracking technologies, interpret training load data, design evidence-based testing protocols, and present actionable insights to coaches, athletes, and interdisciplinary performance staffs.
Housed within UB's School of Public Health and Health Professions, the program leverages Buffalo's unique position as home to multiple professional sports franchises and Division I athletics, providing opportunities for real-world clinical experiences in elite sporting environments.
Program Highlights
- 49-credit master's degree completd in two years (four semesters plus optional summer practicum)
- Specialized sports science curriulum covering performance science theory, athlete testing and evaluation, data analytics, and advanced data visualization
- Hands-on technology training with GPS/LPS tracking systems, force plates, heart rate monitors, and wearable sensors used in professional and high level sport
- Data science skills using R, MATLAB, Minitab, Power BI, and Tableau, with exposure to AI and machine learning in sport
- 12-credit internship providing immersive, supervised experience in professional, collegiate, or high-performance sports settings
- Access to Buffalo's sports ecosystem including UB's own Division 1 athletics
- R1 research university with faculty who are active researchers and practitioners in performance science and exercise physiology
Why UB for Sports Science?
The University at Buffalo is one of the only programs in the United States to offer a dedicated sports science curriculum. Unlike stand-alone certifications or general exercise science degrees, this program is purpose-built for the modern sport scientist – someone who must be equally comfortable in the weight room, the lab, and the data dashboard. Our curriculum was designed in collaboration with practitioners working in professional sport to ensure graduates are workforce-ready from day one.
Buffalo’s growing sports industry – anchored by the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, the NLL’s Buffalo Bandits, and UB’s 13 Division I varsity teams – provides an unmatched learning environment. Students benefit from guest lectures by industry professionals, practicum placements with elite teams, and a campus culture that lives and breathes sport.
International students: This qualifies as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) program, which provides an additional 24 months Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 visa holders who begin the program in fall 2021 or later. For more information, visit the Department of Homeland Security Study in the States website or UB's International Student Services Office.