Undergraduate Programs in Exercise Science

Discover a program that combines science, health, behavior, research, and exercise.

One of only three schools of public health with a Department of Exercise Science, our offers outstanding educational and professional opportunities to prepare our students to become skilled exercise or nutrition scientists, and public health practitioners. We offer a BS in Exercise Science with a pre-health concentration for students interested in careers as health professionals, including in the fields of medicine, nursing, physical therapy; and a BS in Exercise Science with a fitness and health concentration.

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise Science, General

The general Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science coursework focuses on the core exercise science curriculum and allows students to focus elective coursework in another area.

In this program, students complete:

• 43-45 semester-hours of general requirements
• 43 semester-hours of core exercise science requirements
• 38-40 semester-hours of advisor approved electives

Course Descriptions
Contact the Department of Exercise Science for more information on this degree

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise Science, Pre-Health Professional

In the Pre-Health Professional concentration, coursework focuses in assessment of injuries, therapeutic modalities and therapuetic exercise in sports medicine, general physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry.

Benefits of the Pre-Health Concentration:

• Students are prepared for admittance to medical, physical therapy, physician assistant, MS in nursing, veterinarian, and public health professional/graduate degree programs;
• Provides internship training in pre-health profession areas;
• Develops a knowledge base and clinical skills that supplement the professional programs;
• The majority of graduates successfully gain admittance to professional schools.

In this program, students complete:

• 45-48 semester-hours of general requirements
• 43 semester-hours of core exercise science requirements
• 28 semester-hours of coursework in the Pre-Health Professional concentration
• 5-8 semester-hours of advisor approved electives

Course Descriptions
Pre-physical Therapy Program Description (pdf)
Pre-med Program Description (pdf)

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise Science, Health and Fitness Concentration

The health and fitness concentration prepares exercise science students for entry into the field of health and fitness. The concentration offers a variety of health courses as well as courses that provide the students with the skills necessary to:

• assist and motivate individuals in making positive fitness and nutrition-related lifestyle changes;
• assist in planning, developing, implementing and evaluating culturally appropriate corporate and community based fitness and wellness programs;
• examine environmental and social barriers that prevent individuals from adopting and maintaining physically active lifestyles.

The concentration provides the undergraduate student with a strong foundation for graduate study in the field of public health, especially in the areas of exercise science, health promotion, health education and health behavior. Graduates are prepared and encouraged to pursue the Health/Fitness Instructor Certification through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

In this program, students complete:

• 45-48 semester-hours general requirements
• 43 semester-hours exercise science core requirements
• 24 semester-hours of coursework in the Health and Fitness Concentration
• 9-12 hours - advisor approved electives

Course Descriptions
Health and Fitness Program and Curriculum Description (pdf)