Exercise science is the study of the human body and its response to movement and exercise, and examines the connection between exercise, nutrition and health. Students earning an undergraduate (B.S.) degree in exercise science often take courses related to nutrition, exercise psychology, anatomy, and physiology. Because exercise science is a broad industry, professionals in this field can work in various work settings. A college degree with so many career possibilities is a real advantage!
An exercise science degree is quite different from an exercise fitness or physical training degree, as the combined knowledge can benefit groups of individuals and elevate the health of communities.
Exercise science graduates support community health initiatives, develop ways to improve performance and seek answers that can reduce or reverse the progression of specific diseases.
There’s never been a better time to use exercise science to reach a higher level of healthy living. Only 23% of adults meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
With a B.S. in exercise science, you’ll help lead the way to counter this trend.
Best of all, what you’ll learn in an exercise science program contributes to the efforts of others in the healthcare and fitness fields:
Sometimes, kinesiology is seen as the same as exercise science. Exercise science is a more focused sub-field of kinesiology.
So, while kinesiology is a broad field that involves assessing injuries, implementing rehabilitation programs, and performing fitness assessments, an exercise science degree seeks to understand the underlying mechanisms that affect exercise.
Here are a few examples of what an exercise science grad might do:
Each university’s bachelor’s degree in exercise science will be different. Some exercise science degrees are four-year programs. Others are structured for degree completion in three years.
A typical bachelor’s degree breaks out something like this:
Many who study exercise science leverage their skills and knowledge in healthcare and fitness occupations. Here are three examples to show how useful such knowledge is in the real world:
Others earning an exercise science degree will use it as solid preparation for earning a master’s degree (M.S.) in exercise physiology.
Interestingly, exercise physiologists might work in a clinical setting, providing supervised exercise programs for patients with diseases or conditions. They might also work in non-clinical settings with populations desiring to improve overall physical fitness.
From 2021to 2031, the demand for exercise physiologists is expected to increase by 9%.
Those earning an exercise science degree and deciding to enter the workforce quickly might add specialty certifications, such as those through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
For example, the salary for a cardiac rehabilitation specialist in a hospital ranges from $55,000 to $60,329.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit, chiropractic and health sciences university in Overland Park, Kansas, a part of Kansas City. The CUKC College of Health Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Exercise Science degree that students can complete in about three years.
Our program is aligned with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The depth of our exercise science program provides excellent preparation for students interested in dual credentials in many areas, including:
Our students receive hands-on instruction and gain practical experience through campus lab experiences, classes, research activities, and internships.
Connect with a CUKC admissions adviser by clicking here. You’ll also love this free eBook: Your Guide to an Exercise Science Degree.