Why Study Exercise Physiology
An Exercise Physiologist studies the acute and chronic physiological responses and adaptations resulting from physical activity. An exercise physiologist can apply this knowledge to improve or maintain health, fitness, or performance. Exercise physiologists are also scientists who investigate the responses and adaptations to muscular activity. They study these in human or animal subjects within a clinical setting, research institute or an academic institution.
Degree Options
Majors
Exercise Physiology, B.S.
The program has a 36 credit core curriculum which serves as the foundation for the major and students select exercise physiology and non-exercise physiology elective courses to concentrate their studies based on their post baccalaureate career goals. There are four possible concentrations:
- The Fitness Professionals Concentration: prepares students for immediate employment in the wellness, health promotion, and fitness industries, and includes courses in accounting and marketing.
- The Pre-Allied Health Concentration: prepares students for graduate education in physician assistant sciences, physical therapy, or occupational therapy.
- The Research Graduate Concentration: prepares students for a career in research or advanced graduate education in exercise physiology. Those most interested in obtaining a PhD.
- The Pre-Professional Concentration: prepares students for careers in Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, Podiatry or Veterinary sciences. Pre-medical students are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research.
Minors
Exercise Physiology
Exercise Physiology is a very hands-on critical thinking and problem solving field. Lab experience, research opportunities, internships and community outreach activities are critical to your success. That’s why we believe you should have plenty of these opportunities at the undergraduate-level, and we offer them.
Career Opportunities
We know the possibilities are endless. You could work as a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation specialist, a personal trainer, a strength and conditioning coach, or direct an employee fitness program. Exercise Physiology also provides the strong foundation that you need to pursue additional education for a career as a physician, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist or athletic trainer. And of course you can pursue advanced study in exercise physiology for a career as a researcher or university instructor. Very often such a person conducts research and teaches academic courses in exercise physiology, environmental physiology, or applied human physiology for students of medicine, physiology, physical education and other health-related fields.