Exercise and Sport Science, B.S.

The Exercise and Sport Science curriculum and mission align with the Exercise is Medicine^TM initiative, which encourages healthcare providers to include physical activity with prescriptive medicine when optimizing patient health. Students have the opportunity to work with faculty as student research assistants in areas of expertise such as postexercise nutrition, running gait mechanics, obesity and health, vascular compliance, and nutritional supplementation.

A required six-credit internship provides the student an opportunity to apply scientific coursework principles in a fitness or strength and conditioning environment. The Exercise and Sport Science program is located in our new Health and Human Services Building, with many state-of-the-art features including a new athletic training teaching lab, a human performance facility, and large, enhanced laboratories/clinics for hands-on learning and research.

Topics Covered

Human Performance
Exercise Physiology
Biomechanics
Body Composition
Exercise and Nutrition
Exercise and Behavior
Cardiovascular and Neurophysiology Laboratory
Sport Psychology

Program Features

State-of-the-art classrooms/laboratories in the areas of Biomechanics, Exercise & Resting Metabolism, Exercise Behavior, and Neuromuscular Control
Program concentrations include professional preparation tracks for graduate study in the exercise sciences and allied health programs and improving human performance.
Opportunity for student involvement in research
A long history of developing highly qualified exercise professionals
A six-credit internship experience providing students with hands-on opportunities to apply scientific coursework principles in a real-life situation

Accreditation

In the 2025-26 academic year, the Exercise and Sport Science program placed 95% of its graduating students into either employment in the exercise science profession, or admittance into a higher-level graduate program in exercise science or related fields.

The Exercise and Sport Science major is accredited through the .

Concentrations

Allied Health

The Allied Health concentration of the Exercise and Sport Science major is designed to prepare its students for employment in a clinical health setting, or advancement to graduate degrees in professional preparation programs in Exercise Science, Applied and Clinical Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Chiropractic programs. Graduates are prepared for employment in the areas of cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation, research, and health improvement in special populations including pediatrics, aging, diabetes, cancer, and obesity.

The program is endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and was recently reaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Students completing this program must take professional certification examinations to become recognized leaders and practitioners in clinical exercise science.

Sport Science

The Sport Science concentration of the Exercise and Sport Science major is designed to prepare its students for positions in a fitness or strength and conditioning setting. Specific occupational opportunities include strength & conditioning coaching at the high school or college setting, adult fitness in a corporate, community, commercial, or private setting; research assistance in biomechanics (running gait, sports equipment design, limb prosthesis) and sport nutrition; youth fitness in public and private agencies; and special population fitness across the lifespan. The program is endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine and is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). Program graduates are eligible and expected to sit for professional certification examinations related to conditioning and human performance.

Accelerated Pathway

For qualified undergraduate students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Exercise Science (Clinical Exercise Physiology, Human Performance, or Sports Psychology) or Physical Activity and Chronic Disease, you can take up to 12 credits of graduate coursework during your senior year. Graduate credits taken during your senior year count towards both your undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Students must indicate their interest in the accelerated option by the last semester of their junior year (preferably by their interview for admission into the undergraduate major) and meet with the accelerated pathways advisor, Dr. Kristie Rupp, to determine a graduate course plan. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher to take graduate courses in their senior year.