Exercise Science, B.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science Program offers innovative educational opportunities that respond to societal needs. Graduates of the program integrate evidence-informed strategies into client management for the well-being of a diverse population across their lifespans.

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science Program Options:

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA) Pathway:

The PTA Pathway option offers Physical Therapist Assistants the opportunity for degree and career advancement. This option fosters diverse graduates who are competent, autonomous and contemporary exercise physiologists who focus on the betterment of the health, fitness, and quality of life of diverse populations across their lifespan. This option requires current PTA license/certificate.

Additional Admission Requirements for the PTA Pathway Program: GPA of 2.8 cumulative undergraduate recommended, Current PTA license/ certificate, and Successful completion of the review of application components, including video essay, reference letter, and resume.

Four-Year Program:

The Four-Year option offers a pathway for high school and transfer students to prepare for careers in health, fitness, and human performance, as well as graduate study. This option includes elective pathways to allow students to tailor their studies to clinical, corporate, athletic, or entrepreneurial career paths.

Program Goals

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science will:

Design comprehensive health and fitness programs for a variety of populations across their lifespan;
Integrate mitigating risk and maximizing effectiveness of facility management and wellness-plan implementation; and,
Prepare for the American College of Sports Medicines Exercise Physiologist certification exam.

Exercise Science Requirements

Students can select one of the following programs:

PTA Pathway Program
Four-Year Program

Students are required to complete 120 credits for the Bachelor of Science Degree.

PTA Pathway Program Requirements

Students receive 53 credits as a licensed/certified Physical Therapist Assistant. Students are required to complete 67 credits for degree completion of Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science PTA Pathways Program. The semester hour value of each course appears in parentheses( ).

Complete the following Core courses - 67 semester hours:

BIOL 101 - General Biology (4 semester hours)
CHEM 150 - General Chemistry I (4 semester hours)
CHEM 160 - General Chemistry II (4 semester hours)
EXPL 200 - Steppingstone (1 semester hour)
EXPL 300 - Keystone (1 semester hour)
EXPL 400 - Capstone (1 semester hour)
EXSC 298 - Project I (3 semester hours)
EXSC 310 - Fundamentals of Exercise Science (3 semester hours)
EXSC 315 - Health and Fitness Assessment (4 semester hours)
EXSC 320 - Facility and Program Management (2 semester hours)
EXSC 330 - Psychosocial Aspects of Health Behaviors Across the Lifespan I (3 semester hours)
EXSC 340 - Exercise Prescription and Implementation I (3 semester hours)
EXSC 360 - Exercise Physiology (3 semester hours)
EXSC 375 - Exercise Nutrition (2 semester hours)
EXSC 399 - Professional Practice in Exercise Science (2 semester hours)
EXSC 410 - Certifications in Exercise Science (2 semester hours)
EXSC 440 - Exercise Prescription and Implementation II (4 semester hours)
EXSC 460 - Psychosocial Aspects of Health Behaviors across the Lifespan II (2 semester hours)
EXSC 475 - Biomechanics (4 semester hours)
EXSC 490 - Comprehensive Review (2 semester hours)
EXSC 498 - Project II (3 semester hours)
MATH 120 - College Algebra (3 semester hours)
MATH 280 - Introductory Statistics (3 semester hours)
PHYS 120 - General Physics I (4 semester hours)

Four Year Program

This program requires a total of 44 semester hours. The semester hour value of each course appears in parentheses( ).

The following courses are required and will fulfill a General Education requirement:

Complete the following Core courses - 44 semester hours:

CHEM 160 - General Chemistry II (4 semester hours)
EXSC 310 - Fundamentals of Exercise Science (3 semester hours)
EXSC 315 - Health and Fitness Assessment (4 semester hours)
EXSC 320 - Facility and Program Management (2 semester hours)
EXSC 330 - Psychosocial Aspects of Health Behaviors Across the Lifespan I (3 semester hours)
EXSC 340 - Exercise Prescription and Implementation I (3 semester hours)
EXSC 360 - Exercise Physiology (3 semester hours)
EXSC 375 - Exercise Nutrition (2 semester hours)
EXSC 399 - Professional Practice in Exercise Science (2 semester hours)
EXSC 410 - Certifications in Exercise Science (2 semester hours)
EXSC 440 - Exercise Prescription and Implementation II (4 semester hours)
EXSC 460 - Psychosocial Aspects of Health Behaviors across the Lifespan II (2 semester hours)
EXSC 475 - Biomechanics (4 semester hours)
EXSC 490 - Comprehensive Review (2 semester hours)
PHYS 120 - General Physics I (4 semester hours)

Foundation Mathematics Courses

(Included in the Foundation Requirements of the Undergraduate Curriculum Structure)