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Online Bachelor’s in Exercise Science Program Guide
Be the catalyst for a better life — and a healthier community.
Americans are demonstrating an increased desire to be active, get fit, and lead healthier lives. The U.S. fitness and wellness industry is worth $30 billion annually, and it’s growing every year.* Trends like wearable tech, group training, corporate wellness, increased participation in sports, and new workout regimens are driving the industry forward. As interest in and understanding of human performance, fitness, and health continue to grow, people turn to exercise science professionals for guidance.
If you have a passion for fitness and performance, you can take an active part in America’s wellness revolution with a career you love. Start by earning your bachelor’s in exercise science from Maryville online, and you can pursue meaningful employment as an exercise physiologist, fitness instructor, coach, health/physical education teacher, or wellness director.
We believe the best way of learning is doing. So we designed our dynamic program around experiential learning opportunities like case studies, simulations, role-playing exercises, and a comprehensive capstone project. Prepare for your career and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certification by learning from passionate, experienced exercise science professionals— including military Master Fitness Trainers and NSCA exam prep educators.
And as an online student, you have remote access to cutting-edge industry technology like our state-of-the-art Human Performance Lab, one of the top facilities of its type in the nation. Through video and interactive, app-based technology, you can use the lab to study movement, fitness, and human performance in a fully furnished, high-tech environment.
*Forbes
Start your journey
At a glance
Learn on your time with flexible 100% online coursework.
Choose from two concentrations: Wellness Management or Strength and Conditioning.
Use interactive video to access our state-of-the-art Human Performance Lab.
Study in a program recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Education Recognition Program.
Apply with no fee and no SAT/ACT required.
Explore financial aid and transfer credit friendly admission.
Curriculum
Maryville’s online bachelor’s in exercise science program includes general education requirements (47 credit hours), exercise science major courses, concentration courses, and exercise science electives.
Exercise Science Major Courses
- EXSC 110: Introduction to Exercise Science
- EXSC 210: Stress Management
- EXSC 220: Care and Prevention of Injuries
- EXSC 250: Personal and Community Health
- EXSC 260: Health and Exercise Psychology
- EXSC 309: Exercise Physiology I
- EXSC 310: Exercise Physiology II w/lab
- EXSC 320: Biomechanics / Kinesiology w/lab
- EXSC 322: Adaptive Physical Activity
- EXSC 323: Movement in Health and Exercise
- EXSC 330: Nutrition of Exercise Management
- EXSC 353: Virtual Fitness and Health
EXSC 390: Exercise Science Practicum I - EXSC 410: Exercise Testing and Prescription w/lab
- EXSC 431: Exercise Related Pharmacology
- EXSC 440: Fitness Management
- EXSC 451: Current Health Issues
- EXSC 490: Exercise Science Practicum II
- EXSC 491: Exercise Science Capstone
Strength and Conditioning Concentration
This concentration is designed to prepare students for a career in strength and conditioning in all levels of athletics, private performance centers, or military and first responder tactical performance. Coursework is focused on applying the principles of exercise science to human performance with a focus on evidence-based practice in performance coaching, tactical strength and conditioning, and program planning.
- EXSC 240: Methods and Programming in Strength
- EXSC 243: Performance Coaching Strategies
EXSC 343: Multi-Directional Speed - EXSC 341: Marketing and Budgeting for Sports
EXSC 420: Applied Sports / Exercise Science - EXSC 430: Applied Nutrition
Choose one course:
- EXSC 480: Advanced Program Design
- EXSC 481: Tactical Strength & Conditioning
Wellness Management Concentration
This concentration is designed to prepare students for a career in corporate or community wellness, health coaching, or personal training. Coursework is focused on applying the fundamentals of exercise science to health and wellness management with a focus on evidence-based practice in nutrition, health program planning, and health-behavior change management. *Two Exercise Science electives
- EXSC 341: Marketing and Budgeting for Sports
- EXSC 350: Health Program Planning & Evaluation
- EXSC 420: Applied Sports / Exercise Science
EXSC 430: Applied Nutrition - EXSC 450: Health Promotion, Disease & Disability Prevention
Exercise Science Elective Courses
- EXSC 240: Methods and Programming in Strength
- EXSC 242: General Fitness Training
EXSC 243: Performance Coaching Strategies - EXSC 301: Field Experience I
- EXSC 302: Field Experience II
- EXSC 305: Strength Training & Conditioning Lab
- EXSC 342: Human & Sport Performance Training
- EXSC 343: Multi-Directional Speed
- EXSC 480: Advanced Program Design
- EXSC 481: Tactical Strength & Conditioning
To ensure the best possible educational experience for our students, we may update our curriculum to reflect emerging and changing employer and industry demands. Undergraduate programs and certificates are designed to be taken at a part-time pace. Please speak to your advisor for more details.
Admission requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (high school) / 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (college)*
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended
- Official high school transcript (required for applicants with fewer than 60 transfer hours from a regionally accredited school)
- Eligible transfer credits accepted; associate degree completion may satisfy general education requirements
- Click to view our transfer credit policy
- The acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of Maryville University
- No standardized tests required
*Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement may be considered for provisional admission.
Explore our additional resources to help guide your admission journey.
Accreditation and rankings
Why Maryville Online?
We’ve been progressively challenging the norms of higher education for nearly 150 years. We started as one of the first universities to educate women. Today, we continue to push the boundaries and prepare students like you for a digital world. At Maryville, we understand what it takes to step beyond your comfort zone.
Maryville University is a nationally ranked private college recognized for comprehensive and innovative education focused on student learning, outcomes, and success — both online and on campus. We’re located just 22 miles from downtown St. Louis.
Early Access program
Did you know that Maryville undergraduates can qualify for graduate level credits? Once you are accepted — and as long as you have not yet completed your elective requirements — we invite you to explore Early Access as an option.
Through Early Access, you can get a head start on earning a graduate degree by taking master’s-level courses that count toward your undergraduate and graduate degrees. Graduate-level Early Access courses are billed at the undergraduate tuition rate — so you can save time and money.
You can learn more at our Early Access page.
Start your journey today
Learn more about the Maryville University online bachelor’s in exercise science.