30 Best Bachelor’s Degrees In Exercise Science

Towson University's major in Exercise Science may be earned as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree, depending on the intention of the student. Regardless of the chosen degree path, the curriculum of the Exercise Science major is designed off of strong liberal arts and science foundation that provides the groundwork for a foundational and extensive understanding of the discipline. Covering all aspects of and related disciplines to Exercise Students, the curriculum utilizes biomechanics, physiology, biochemistry, growth and development, nutrition, and psychology. Students participate in both advanced coursework and practical, real-world experience. Upon graduation, students are prepared for careers in clinical, corporate, and community exercise and wellness settings, or to go onto graduate studies.

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Bemidji State University draws from the principles of anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology, and motor development to provide preparation for a wide range of career options. Some students go onto schooling for nursing, chiropractic, or other allied health fields. There are two emphasis options within the BS in Exercise Science, the Medical Fitness Emphasis and the Fitness Leadership and Promotion Emphasis. Both options provide foundational knowledge in all aspects of the field, and train students in skills for physiological testing, designing and prescribing individualized exercise and nutrition programs, and know how to engage professionally and respectfully to a wide range of clients and communities.

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Texas at Arlington offers two further concentration areas within the BS: Clinical Health Professions and Fitness/Wellness. Both are housed within the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Nursing, which ensures students benefit from a multifaceted curriculum that utilizes related disciplines. The Clinical Health Professions focus is designed for students who plan to pursue graduate-level programs, where the Fitness/Wellness focus is for those who immediately pursue careers post-graduation. Regardless of the chosen focus area, students in the BS in Exercise Science program take courses in physiology, biomechanics, motor control and learning, and strength and conditioning for general and specialized populations.

University of Wyoming's Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Promotion program is designed to prepare students for careers in a variety of fields and for professional medical programs, such as those to become physicians, occupational therapists, dentists, chiropractors, and more. About 60 percent of graduates from the BS in K&HP program go onto medical school, while others go into jobs in fitness, health promotion or state agencies, and other clinical settings. The BS is considered a professional-level program, so those interested in pursuing the major must complete prerequisites with at least a 2.75 GPA before starting major courses their junior year. Major courses include Physiology of Exercise, Fundamentals of Health & Fitness Assessment, and a Research Internship during their last year.

Longwood University's Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology prepares students for careers that'll call upon an understanding of the physical, mental, and social wellness of individuals and the greater society. Graduates have gone onto careers as health and fitness facility operators, physiologists, health and fitness specialists, and more. The curriculum covers all foundations of the field and important aspects of related fields, such as neuroscience and psychology. There are three available concentration areas for those in the major: Health and Human Performance, Applied Health Sciences Profession, and Administration and Leadership in Sport and Exercise.

The curriculum of the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Southern Illinois University utilizes basic and exercise sciences, with courses like Kinesiology, Physiology, Theory of Strength and Conditioning, and Biomechanics of Human Movement. The program is designed for students who hope to work in clinical health, fitness, or sports training settings. Applicants must have taken certain university courses and earned a GPA of at least 2.75. Direct admission is offered to high school students with an ACT score of 25 or 1150 SAT, and at least a 3.25 GPA. Students in the program participate in an internship program that aims for students to apply academic knowledge to the professional field. These internships provide professional contacts and experience that can inform students on what they'd like to pursue post-graduation.

University of Idaho's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science & Health has a curriculum made up of intensive and foundational coursework, class activities, service learning, and practicum and internship. Some may go onto graduate-level studies, including UI's masters and doctoral programs in a wide array of related fields within the Department of Movement Sciences. Students are given the tools and training to provide the support necessary for other people to make positive changes in their health. This may include the development of nutrition and lifestyle plans, which is the basis for the study of metabolic rates, body composition, and more in the campus' Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics laboratories.

The Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science from the University of Northern Iowa prepares students for careers in the fitness industries, athletic strength and conditioning programs, wellness programs at hospitals or in business industries, sports psychology, and more. The BA in Exercise Science program is housed within the Department of Movement and Exercise Science, consisting of all full-time faculty members who have professional experience in the field. Courses are typically only 25 students, ensuring a like-minded and dedicated cohort. Course topics include sports nutrition, fitness assessment, physiology, and biomechanics. All students also complete a physical education internship in varying agencies their senior year.

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science program at SUNY Cortland is a flexible and multidisciplinary-focused program, combining major courses with a large number of electives to ensure students may focus on the aspects of the field that they're drawn to. The program prepares graduates for careers in research, pulmonary rehabilitation, fitness management, the pharmaceutical industry, and more. The curriculum recognizes health-related aspects of physical activity, and sports performance as the two primary categories of the field, and the Exercise Science program covers both focus areas. Course topics may include Neuromuscular Fitness Assessment, Cardio-Respiratory Fitness Assessment, Research Methods, and more.

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science offered by Winston-Salem State University prepares students with the knowledge and tools necessary to become practitioners trained in the creation and implementation of physical activity programs. The curriculum is focused on human functional anatomy, exercise physiology, the identification of risk factors and the pathophysiology of chronic diseases, exercise programs, nutrition, and research in the field. All students in the program complete an internship before graduation and take courses dedicated to applied research. Graduates may go onto careers in fitness, human performance, research, teaching, or other clinical or business roles. Many students go onto the university's graduate physical and occupational therapy degrees.

Truman State University provides a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science program with four concentration areas: Pre-Medical Sciences, Applied/Pre-Athletic Training, Sport/Recreation Management, and Physical Education/Health. All areas provide extensive understandings of human movement through the development of critical thinking and research. Regardless of the chosen specialization area, all students in the Exercise Science major take courses in Biomechanics, Intercultural Perspectives of the field, and Lifespan Motor Development. Students also gain clinical practice and real-life experience in the field by working in the on-campus athletic training facilities. When they aren't working in the on-campus facilities, students in the program collect experience through local internships and practicums.

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Sciences from CUNY Queens College is an interdisciplinary program where students can intensely study aspects of both fields, including cardiovascular health and wellness. Upon graduation, students are prepared for careers in clinical settings, community-based organizations, or corporations. The 60-credit program includes courses in statistics, chemistry, and biology, accompanied by more specialized topics like Physiology of Muscular Activity, Fitness Assessment, Biomechanics, and Nutrition. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the program, graduates are prepared for not only professional work, but professional schooling in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and optometry. Prospective students of the Nutrition and Exercise Sciences program must meet with an academic advisor before declaring the major.

University of Minnesota's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science program prepares students for both graduate school and professional-level work in the field, emphasizing the importance of research and encouraging students pursuing the degree to participate. Before beginning the major, students need to complete certain prerequisite courses in topics like chemistry and nutrition. Once accepted into the major, students take courses in Clinical Exercise Physiology, Human Biomechanics, Exercise Adherence, and more. Offered focus areas include Sport Science, Health and Fitness, and Special Interest, for students who create their own course plan. Most upper-division courses in the program have a graded lab component taking place in three different labs across campus, each dedicated to its own aspect of the field.

Lander University's Bachelor of Science in Physical Education & Exercise Science degree prepare students with knowledge on the evolution of the field, the application of bioscience concepts to work in the field, an understanding of the methodologies used to provide health care and more. Graduates from the program might go onto careers in cardiac rehabilitation, exercise physiology, physical therapy, or occupational therapy. Having gained skills in researching the field, graduates may also go onto graduate and professional level programs. Course topics include strength and conditioning, physiology of exercise, and research techniques in the field. All students in the program complete an internship before graduation, readying them for entrance into the professional area.

Bethel College's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science is housed in their Department of Kinesiology, which maintains a small group of faculty dedicated to the personalized success of each student. The program in Exercise Science students for careers in physical therapy, strength coaching, dietetics, or even go onto medical school or graduate programs. Those in the Exercise Science program learn how to use modern laboratories and gain hands-on experience working with patients. This experience could include learning how to develop nutritional meal plans, provide exercise training, and measuring body composition, muscular strength, and cardiovascular endurance. Students might even work alongside athletic trainers at Bethel College to aid and support the university's sports programs.

The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from SUNY College at Brockport is designed to prepare students for careers in motor behavior, sport psychology, biomechanics, athletic training, or even history or philosophy of sports or other related fields. The program's curriculum focuses on psychosocial and physical sciences and how they're applied in the field under philosophical, sociological and historical contexts. The major is flexible, best fit for students who wish to take courses in a variety of related topics in the Department of Kinesiology, Sports Studies, and Physical Education. Students within the major take required courses comprised of 24 credits and nine electives thereafter. Research opportunities are available to those who have a particular focus area in the field, and they are encouraged to work alongside faculty who are conducting similar research.

California State University at San Marcos' Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology offers two in-depth focus areas: Movement Science and Health Sciences. The Movement Science option is a combination of the prior-existing Pre-Physical Therapy and Applied Exercise Science options, preparing students for professional study in health-related fields. The Health Science option prepares students for direct entry into the professional workforce after graduation, with career options typically in public health, wellness coaching, health research and advocacy, and more. Regardless of the chosen focus area, students complete the Kinesiology major courses, which consist of biochemistry, psychology, and human anatomy. From there, the upper-division courses vary slightly based on the chosen focus area.

Winona State University's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science prepares students for certification from the American College of Sports Medicine, and then work opportunities as health fitness instructors, personal trainers, or other sports-related specialists. The curriculum is focused on teaching students how to design and implement health and physical activity programs after interpreting the needs and abilities of clients. Graduates have gone onto work in corporate facilities, fitness or community centers, and athletic programs. Course topics in the major include mechanical kinesiology, epidemiology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. All students complete an internship and practicum before graduation.

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from CUNY Brooklyn College has two specialization areas: the Fitness Professional Track and the Pre-Health Professions Track. The two different tracks are designed to ensure that whether a student wants to enter the workforce post-graduation or continue onto graduate-level study, they are well-prepared by the program's curriculum. Admission to the program requires that students complete certain prerequisite courses with at least a 2.5 GPA. From there, the major's curriculum includes courses in health and nutrition sciences, chemistry, and physics. For those in the Pre-Health Professions track, there are also required courses within the liberal arts, such as Business, Economics, or Political Science.

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from The College of Idaho draws on the historical, psychological, and sociological aspects of physical activity. The curriculum provides students with tools to analyze exercise science and create physical activity plans, conceptualize human development accordingly for these plans, and apply this practice through internships or a research project during their senior year. The major is made up of 40-44 credits with core courses in biology, statistics or analysis, physiology, and health and wellness. Elective options include a wider array of specialized areas, including Applied Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.