Exercise Science degrees are often synonymous or interchangeable with Kinesiology degrees. People who pursue a Bachelor's degree in exercise science learn how exercise and physical activity contribute to health and fitness. Most curricula focus on basic anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and psychology.
Many students will also learn basic principles of kinesiology, or the study of human movement. Kinesiology is a separate discipline that focuses on physical activity, sport, and performance. However, exercise science and kinesiology overlap in many topics, including biomechanics and anatomy. You can also earn a master's in exercise science, an advanced degree that studies exercise science topics in greater depth.
Can you get an exercise science degree online?
Many universities offer Bachelor's and Master's degrees in exercise science online. Most require two to four years to complete and have similar curricula, although some schools may offer courses in their curriculum that support specific career paths. These paths could include sports management, coaching, physical or occupational therapy, and athletic training. Specialized degrees, like some master's programs, may only take one year.
Are there bachelor's degrees in exercise science programs online?
Several universities offer bachelor's degrees in exercise science through online education. Most require a high school diploma and a minimum GPA of 2.0 to 2.75 or GED scores that demonstrate ability to enter university programs. If you're transferring from another university, most online programs accept transferred credits and will allow entry with a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0. We've listed a few reputable examples below.
University of Saint Mary - B.S. in Exercise Science Program
The University of Saint Mary offers an online program for about $425 per credit hour (120 credit hours total). This program takes two years to complete and focuses on certification preparation, so students should be prepared to complete certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM), and more.
This university's curriculum includes the following courses and an internship worth three credit hours:
- Introduction to health sciences
- Exercise physiology
- Methods of fitness assessment
- Sports injuries and illnesses
- Concepts of strength training and conditioning
- Applied corrective exercise
To apply, you'll need a 2.0 GPA from your previous 12 hours of transferrable coursework, 2.75 high school GPA, or GED exam results.
Methodist University - Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science
Methodist University's online program costs $435 per credit hour (124 credit hours total). This program takes up to four years to complete, although some can finish it in under three with condensed coursework. Methodist keeps its cohorts small to best support each virtual student, which is a major advantage if you prefer close communication with your professor.
Methodist's curriculum includes the following courses:
- Weight training techniques
- Human nutrition
- Research seminar
- Prevention and care of athletic injuries
- Sports injuries and illnesses
- Motor learning
- Psychosocial aspects of exercise and sport
To apply, you'll need to provide your high school diploma or GED exam results.
Eastern Oregon University - B.S. in Health and Human Performance: Exercise Science Concentration
Eastern Oregon University offers a specialized bachelor's degree in human and health performance, which is designed to prepare students for a career after the degree. This program takes four years to complete and costs $316 per credit hour (180 credit hours total).
Eastern Oregon's curriculum requires general coursework for all students in the health and human performance program, including anatomy, physiology, and research. In the exercise science concentration, students are required to take a set of courses, which includes the following.
- Nutrition and sport performance
- Environmental exercise physiology
- Biomechanics
- Physical activity in disease prevention
- Applied exercise programming
To apply, you'll need a minimum 2.75 high school GPA. If you're transferring from another college institution, a minimum 2.25 college GPA is required. GED scores are also accepted.
Franklin University - B.S. in Exercise Science
Franklin University offers an online program for about $398 per credit hour (120 credit hours total). This program takes less than two years to complete and educates students to understand exercise prescription for healthy adults and those with medical needs.
This program requires at least four credits dedicated to field experience or a capstone project. The curriculum includes the following courses:
- Designing exercise programs
- Contemporary issues in sport
- Exercise for special populations
- Sports law
- Medical terminology
You also have opportunities to focus on one of the following areas:
- Athletic administration and sport leadership
- Athletic coaching leadership
- Health promotion and public health
- Sport performance and fitness business ownership
To apply, you'll need to provide your high school diploma or GED exam results.
Are there online Master's in Exercise Science degree programs?
Many universities also offer master's programs in exercise science. These programs often require an undergraduate GPA between 2.75 and 3.0, depending on the university.
Liberty University - Master of Exercise Science and Wellness
This program must be completed within five years and costs $565 per credit hour as a full-time graduate student (33 credit hours total). If you're a part-time graduate student, it goes up to $615. But if you're in the military, the cost reduces drastically to $275.
General coursework includes:
- Advanced exercise physiology
- Statistical analysis in exercise science
- Research methods in exercise science
- Fitness assessment and programming
- Principles of nutrition
Texas State University - Master of Science Major in Exercise Science, Sport Coaching Concentration
Texas State University offers a unique master's program that specializes in sport coaching. This is a 36-hour program ($499 per credit hour) that can take as little as 12 months, depending on your cadence. By graduation, students will know how to coach kids, teens, adults, and older adults using evidence-based tactics and relevant technology.
Coursework includes:
- Motor learning and performance
- Biomechanics for exercise and sport science
- Advanced exercise physiology
- Cardiopulmonary exercise physiology
- Advanced resistance training and conditioning
- Developmental sports education: High-level athletes and coaching effectiveness
- Organizational planning in recreational and leisure services
To apply, you'll need a bachelor's degree with a 2.75 GPA or higher. You'll also need to show proof of completion for exercise physiology, motor learning, and biomechanics in your bachelor's degree. Other admission requirements include:
- Three letters of recommendation
- A resume or CV
- Letter of intent
South Nazarene University - Master of Science in Exercise Science - Health and Human Performance
South Nazarene University (SNU) offers a 36-credit-hour master's program ($599 per hour) that can be completed in less than two years. This degree can be completed completely online, or if you're close to campus, you can attend in person one night per week. During your coursework, you'll learn how to navigate research, like seeking grant funding and analyzing data. The program aims to prepare students for teaching roles, cardiac and rehabilitation specialist careers, and coaching jobs.
Coursework includes:
- Legal principles in wellness management
- Exercise wellness across the lifespan
- Nutrition for sport performance
- Grant writing and program design, implementation, and evaluation
To apply, you'll only need to show proof of completing a bachelor's degree and a prerequisite course (exercise physiology or anatomy).
What can I do with an exercise science degree?
Exercise science degrees can prepare you for several career paths related to health and fitness. After completion, you can apply for careers in coaching, fitness instruction, personal training, or healthcare administration.
For many students, a bachelor’s in exercise science is a stepping stone to higher education. Many pursue a master’s in exercise science, exercise physiology, athletic training, or kinesiology. Others apply for physical or occupational therapy schools.
Although a master’s degree in exercise science isn’t always necessary to enter the workforce, it can boost credibility and open doors to higher paying positions. This is especially true if you pursue a master’s with specialization in the career path you desire, like health promotion, exercise physiology, or wellness coaching.
Is an exercise science degree worth it?
An exercise science degree is worth it if you want a long-term career in fitness and sport. But it’s not ideal for everyone interested in the sciences.
Exercise science is a niche degree that doesn’t translate to other scientific fields, like biological research. This is partly because most exercise science curricula lack in-depth courses on biology and chemistry. Instead, there’s a greater focus on human physiology, which is a section of biology that studies body functions and is more applicable to exercise.
A physiology-focused curriculum is ideal for those who love fitness and sport. But a general biology degree might be better for those who aren’t ready to close the door on careers in pharmaceutical, forensic, environmental, or agricultural sciences.
Is it better to major in kinesiology or exercise science?
Exercise science and kinesiology overlap in many ways, but there are some differences. Both require a basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and psychology. However, kinesiology tends to have a clinical perspective on human performance. This is not a hard-and-fast rule, as many exercise science curricula touch on clinical themes in advanced classes, depending on the university. According to the American Kinesiology Association, exercise science is a subcategory of kinesiology, but not all universities treat it as such. In fact, many use the two discipline names interchangeably.
If your desired university offers both degrees, or if you’re browsing universities and aren’t sure which degree to pursue, compare curricula and pick the university and program with classes that align with your future career path.
