Exercise science graduates see themselves as lifetime learners who are fascinated by how the body moves and want to help unlock the mysteries of performance and condition management. With a bachelor of science (B.S.) in exercise science degree, graduates use their knowledge about movement and exercise to support health, improve performance, and prevent disease.
Career opportunities for exercise science graduates are numerous and vary widely. Exercise science students benefit significantly from exploring professional career options with educational and industry experts before and during their degree program.
The simple answer is knowing how to help change people’s lives for the better. The number of Americans with chronic conditions continues to rise. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that six of 10 adults today have at least one chronic condition that can shorten their lives or prevent them from doing the activities they love to do.
No doubt you know or will know someone who’s struggling with:
When choosing to study exercise topics and subjects, you can be at the forefront of new discoveries and interventions that offer help and hope.
So, imagine having the knowledge to seek new ways to counteract poor nutrition or implement physical activities that are safe for those in a wide range of conditions. You’ll have that knowledge when you earn a B.S. in exercise science degree.
Students entering an exercise science program study the science behind the appropriate selection of foods, fluids, and supplements and the timing of their intake. Students learn to use their knowledge and skills to achieve positive results for individuals of diverse populations.
Exercise science graduates in professional practice can assess motion-related characteristics of individuals from varied populations. In short, the B.S. in exercise science dives into physiology – the study of how the human body works. Physiology means learning all about the chemistry and physics of essential body functions, from how molecules behave in cells to how the body’s systems of organs, muscles, and ligaments work together.
Exercise science not only discovers what happens in a healthy body but what is likely wrong when someone gets sick or has impaired functions. Exercise scientists are the healthcare specialists whose knowledge can offer strategies leading to
Because of the broad application of the exercise science field, graduates can use their knowledge of movement, exercise, and nutrition to support health and well-being for entire groups of people.
Typically, a B.S. in exercise science degree is a four-year college program, although some programs are structured for degree completion in three years (a definite advantage). A B.S. in exercise science breaks out something like this:
Exercise science graduates are eligible for many nationally recognized certifications, including
This degree also provides a strong academic foundation for students choosing to pursue graduate and professional degrees in a wide array of health careers, such as exercise physiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, and athletic training.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that 2.4 million new jobs in healthcare will be added from 2021-2031. The demand for exercise science graduates in healthcare professions is expected to follow that growth path.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health education specialists, such as wellness program directors in a corporate setting or health and wellness initiative managers, have a national median salary of $60,500.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit, chiropractic and health sciences university. Our CUKC College of Health Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Exercise Science degree students complete in as little as three years. Since 1922, our ongoing mission has been to educate and develop leaders in health promotion and health behaviors through our degree offerings.
Our B.S. in Exercise Science degree prepares students to become highly skilled professionals specializing in designing and implementing safe, effective exercise programs. Students receive hands-on instruction and gain practical experience through campus lab experiences, classes, and in the field through a personalized internship experience.
The depth of our exercise science degree program provides excellent preparation for students interested in dual credentials in the areas of medicine, chiropractic, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, coaching, and other health and fitness-related professions.
To learn more, connect with a CUKC admissions adviser here. If you’d like to preview the degree and hear about career options, get our free eBook: Your Guide to an Exercise Science Degree.
