Exercise Science Major

What is Exercise Science?

The purpose of the Exercise Science program is to prepare students for entry level employment in corporate fitness centers, health clubs, sports medicine clinics, cardiac rehabilitation programs, sports training facilities, or other programs that require exercise testing and prescription. 

Exercise Science typically has two areas of specialization.  One area is clinical specialization, which provides exercise testing and prescription for the healthy normal population, or populations with mild to moderate diseases such as cardiac disease, lung disease, diabetes, etc.  The other area is athletic specialization, which provides exercise testing and prescription for athletes of various abilities (from "weekend warriors" to professional athletes). 

Students wishing to pursue a career in the Exercise Science field are strongly encouraged to pursue further education, such as a Master's degree in Exercise Physiology. 

Exercise Science makes an excellent foundation for graduate work in fields such as physical therapy, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapy, physician's assistants, medicine, biology with a human emphasis, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and nutrition. 

The University of Indianapolis Exercise Science program offers several advantages:  the program is grounded strongly in basic science, which requires more rigor of the student, and better prepares students for graduate school and other advanced education and certification.  UIndy's Exercise Science program has received five-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, becoming the first such program in the state to win that recognition.  At UIndy, classes are taught by faculty and not by teaching assistants.  Also, Indianapolis is a unique city offering a large assortment of internship opportunities for Exercise Science majors.  Finally, the Exercise Science program at UIndy has been extremely successful in placing its alumni in various graduate schools.  

For further information about Exercise Science from the American College of Sports Medicine, click here.

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science are eligible to sit for two important industry certifications:

Health/Fitness Specialist (HFS)

American College of Sports Medicine

Certification for exercise testing and prescription for the general population, and the general population with low-level disease, e.g. obesity, stable heart disease

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

National Strength and Conditioning Association

Certification for exercise testing and prescription for the athletic population