Not quite sure what to study in college? How about a major combining science, biology, and health – the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Exercise Science degree? It’s a great match for those who love athletic activity, understand the value of taking care of the body, and want to help others be the best they can be or return to the health they once had.
Familiar degrees like kinesiology, physical therapy, and others come close to mixing athletic activity with helping people, but these are narrow areas of study. The exercise science degree provides the knowledge and flexibility to satisfy the expectations of many positions within the healthcare and fitness industries.
The B.S. in Exercise Science degree curriculum includes instruction in biomechanics, motor behavior, motor development and coordination, motor neurophysiology, performance research, rehabilitative therapies, the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative methods, and equipment and analytical methods and procedures in applied exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation.
Components of a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science will depend on the degree program’s flexibility – some exercise science degree programs are rigid, leaving little room for a student’s personal interest within this emerging field.
In its most effective setup, majoring in exercise science leads to skills and knowledge relating to
Imagine the value of having deep knowledge in these five areas:
1. Anatomy– learning and understanding the human body’s structures and how different parts contribute to how the human body works.
2. Nutrition– Another essential factor in optimum human performance is nutrition. Imagine learning how to create diets that address specific conditions, including how dietary needs change as the body ages.
3. Physiology– learning how different organs and systems interact with each other to keep the body capable of doing what people want it to.
4. Kinesiology– This “movement science” helps identify inconsistencies or obstacles in desired human performance and know the best options to overcome them.
5. Management– The broad scope of a bachelor’s degree in exercise science incorporates management principles and strategies necessary for programs and initiatives to thrive in changing circumstances.
Typical degree coursework includes topics such as
Many opting for the B.S. in Exercise Science use it as a launch point for graduate school options, such as medical or chiropractic school. (The 5 subject areas listed above will likely give you a head start for a healthcare career.)
Or, instead of the patient care side of healthcare, you may prefer to become an exercise physiologist. That’s a specialist who studies human performance issues or helps develop better rehabilitative protocols.
Another career direction is serving as a wellness program director in a corporate setting or managing a health and wellness initiative for a community or state agency.
Corporate wellness is now a multibillion-dollar industry. A review of 56 studies of company-based health programs showed they could reduce absenteeism, healthcare costs, and workers’ compensation/disability claims costs by 25%. That’s a powerful incentive to employ the knowledge and skills of an exercise science specialist.
A 2021 article showed most employers now have wellness programs of some size, including 81% of companies with a workforce of 200 or more.
Health education specialists with the expansive knowledge gained through an accredited exercise science program have salaries between $57,133 and $71,721, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The category of health educators and community health administrators is projected to grow 17% from 2020 to 2030, more than double the growth rate for all occupations.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit, chiropractic and health sciences university offering a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Exercise Science. Our program is a 3-year study consisting of a core curriculum and electives totaling 124 hours.
Under instructor guidance, CUKC students benefit from a client-centered approach and capitalize on the use of our on-campus fitness center and partner organizations in the Kansas City region. Students benefit from experiences on campus, in class, and the field.
As a result, our exercise science degree provides a solid academic foundation for those interested in dual credentials in the areas of
Need more info? Connect with a CUKC admissions adviser here. We’ll also connect you with this free eBook: Your Comprehensive Guide to College Financial Aid.
