Why study exercise science at BGSU in Ohio?
- Small classes.
- Faculty mentorship.
- Flexible curriculum. Tailor your degree to your career goals.
- Real-world field experiences and internships. Enter the workforce after graduation with skills and confidence. Our students regularly intern in professional exercise or health science settings focused on collegiate strength and conditioning, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, athletic training, physical therapy and occupational therapy. They work with top-tier employers such as:
- BGSU Sports Performance Team
- BGSU Strength and Conditioning
- BGSU Sports Medicine
- BGSU Student Rec Center – Department of Recreation and Wellness
- BGSU Exercise Science Lab Services
- Verizon
- Owens Corning
- Progressive Insurance
- Cleveland Clinic hospitals
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- Research opportunities. Work as an undergraduate on research in our state-of-the-art laboratories. Collaborate with faculty who are renowned experts in their fields and publish in prominent journals. You'll gain marketable research skills.
- Lab experiences. Put your classroom knowledge to work in our state-of-the-art exercise physiology lab. Our biomechanics and motor behavior laboratory is one of the premier biomechanics labs in the country. You’ll have the chance to work with collegiate athletes and community members as you learn to test, program, assess and evaluate, as well as participate in laboratory testing services or collect data for research studies.
- Proven record of success. Our graduates have a high acceptance rate into graduate and health-related professional programs.
- Residential living community. Live with and learn from other science and health students in our Natural and Health Science Residential Community. Faculty help you in and out of the classroom. Students say the academic support they receive gives them a significant advantage when applying to science- and health-related grad programs with competitive entrance requirements.
- Active student organization. Network and help raise health awareness on campus by joining the Student Exercise Science Association.
100% of BGSU exercise science graduates report they're employed, in graduate school or starting a business within six months of graduation.
Career - what can you do with an exercise science degree?
100% of BGSU exercise science graduates report they're employed, in graduate school or starting a business within six months of graduation.
An exercise science degree can lead to dynamic careers in:
- Health and wellness centers
- Sport medicine clinics
- Senior/retirement centers
- Research laboratories
- Sport and Olympic training facilities
- Fitness and exercise facilities
- Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs
- Other health and wellness-related careers in corporate, private and public settings
An exercise science degree also is good preparation for graduate school. Many BGSU exercise science graduates pursue advanced degrees. They have high acceptance rates into professional programs and master’s and doctoral degree programs in:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Athletic training
- Orthotics and prosthetics
- Chiropractic practice
- Medicine or physician assistant studies
- Kinesiology
Continue your studies at BGSU in our:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy program – Earn your doctorate in two years in Ohio's first and only public, hybrid, accelerated DPT program.
- Master of Athletic Training program
- Master of Education program with specializations in sport administration and kinesiology
Career paths
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
- Athletic and elite sports training
- Corporate or private fitness
- Strength and conditioning
- Personal training
- Employee fitness director
- Biomechanics
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum
Foundational and professional courses prepare you to:
- Understand human movement
- Recognize and treat injuries
- Think critically and understand current topics and issues in the field
- Appreciate human diversity
You’ll take classes in the following programs:
- Exercise Science
- Biology
- Psychology
- Nutrition
Knowledge of the subdisciplines of exercise science is crucial. You will choose one of these specializations as your area of focus:
- Take courses that give you the skills to prescribe:
- Exercise programs of muscular strength and endurance
- Cardiorespiratory training
- Other physical fitness and lifestyle programs
- Complete two field experiences, including a capstone internship where you will be mentored by professionals in the field.
- Complete required prerequisite courses for admittance into graduate degree programs.
- Learn how to provide assessments and diagnosis of orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries.
- Gain an understanding of therapeutic interventions and health-related emergencies.
- Gain clinical decision-making skills for the sports medicine setting.
- Complete a capstone internship and be mentored by a professional in the field.
- Complete required prerequisite courses for admittance into graduate degree programs.
Our core curriculum has a strong focus on research. Evidence-based practice – applying that research to the way we practice and make care decisions – is a theme of all our courses.
You’re highly encouraged to consult with an exercise science faculty member if their area of research interests you:
- Biomechanics – Dr. Adam Fullenkamp
- Clinical exercise physiology – Dr. Lynn Darby or Dr. Todd Keylock
- Concussion treatment and recovery – Dr. Andrea Cripps and Dr. Jenny Toonstra
- Exercise and aging – Dr. Amy Morgan
- Professional preparation leadership in athletic training – Dr. Sara Stiltner and Chris Schommer
- Sport and human performance – Dr. Jessica Kiss or Nathan Peters
Sample courses
- Biomechanics of Human Movement
- Exercise Testing and Prescription
- Care and Prevention of Sports Injuries
- Exercise Physiology
- Group Exercise Instruction
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Lifetime Fitness
- Sport Conditioning
The Exercise Science program is part of the School of Applied Human Development in the BGSU College of Education & Human Development
Updated: 12/16/2024 02:01PM