Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Americans are on the move.

Set the pace.

More and more, Americans are prioritizing wellness and performance. Activities like running, yoga, and high-intensity interval training are gaining popularity across all age groups, and people are staying active longer. According to Forbes, the health and fitness industry is now worth $30 billion annually. As interest in human performance, fitness, and health continue to grow, people are turning to exercise professionals for expert guidance — and you could be one of them.

With your online Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Maryville, you can prepare to take an active role in helping people get fit and stay healthy as a health educator, personal trainer, or exercise physiologist. Our program is designed with input from top employers and taught by industry leaders who believe you can learn most effectively through practical and experiential learning opportunities.

Careers for those with a bachelor’s in exercise science include:

Fitness and recreational sports facilities
Wellness centers
Military facilities
University/college athletics departments
Corporate wellness

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Why choose our bachelor’s in exercise science?

You’re passionate about exercise science. So are we. When you earn your Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Maryville, you join a program designed to prepare you for the future of the industry — so you can be ready for all the challenges and opportunities you’ll discover in this exciting, growing field.

Here’s what you can expect with our program:

Apply with no fee and no SAT/ACT required

Explore financial aid and transfer credit friendly admission

Access coursework 100% online

Study in a program recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Education Recognition Program

Study human movement and performance remotely through our state-of-the-art Human Performance Lab

Choose from two concentrations: Wellness Management and Strength and Conditioning

Maryville University students sitting outside on campus

Curriculum

We designed our curriculum with input from top employers to help you develop competencies in areas like movement, nutrition, exercise program design and prescription, exercise counseling and coaching, behavioral strategies, and business. It’s all aimed at helping you enhance your skills and knowledge so you can find a career you love in this growing field.

We collaborated with industry leaders to help ensure that our program covers the most relevant information and in-demand skills. In fact, we created two of our classes through a first-of-its-kind educational agreement with the innovative human performance company EXOS, which has helped more than 1.2 million people maximize their health and physical performance. Through EXOS Education, you’ll have access to exclusive EXOS training system tools.

Our program combines core coursework specific to exercise science, as well as a number of electives that let you tailor your degree to your interests or career aspirations. The program comprises 128 credit hours, including 78 directly relevant to your future career as an exercise science professional.

Skills and Competencies

Build your foundation in exercise science. Through a combination of general education and exercise science major courses, you can establish your knowledge base in subjects like anatomy and physiology, nutrition, exercise physiology, stress management, care and prevention of injuries, biomechanics/kinesiology, and pharmacology.

Put your knowledge to work. Gain experience in the field through immersive coursework that includes practical components like simulations, case studies, role-playing projects, and a capstone experience.

Specialize your exercise science knowledge through electives and a concentration. Our flexible exercise science program allows you to tailor your education to your goals. In addition to selecting specialized electives like methods and programming in strength, general fitness training, performance coaching strategies, and sport performance training, you can choose from two concentrations to establish your expertise: Wellness Management or Strength and Conditioning.

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Accreditation and rankings

Maryville University is a nationally ranked private college recognized for comprehensive and innovative education focused on student learning, outcomes, and success.

Higher Learning Commission accreditation