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  • Bachelors Available
  • Bachelors Available

Exercise Science

Prepare for a leadership position in the growing field of exercise science. This nationally accredited program features two specializations: exercise programming and sports medicine.

The program's flexibility allows you to complete part of one specialization in addition to your primary major. This enables you to customize your degree to best prepare for your future career. A low faculty-student ratio and advisors who are experts in the field ensure that you'll work with industry professionals every step of the way.

Quality classroom experiences

Participate in hands-on laboratory experiences in state-of-the-art exercise physiology and biomechanics/motor behavior laboratories. Your advisors and mentors are experienced faculty who are known on a regional, national and international level; you’ll even have the opportunity to participate in research projects at the undergraduate level, working with faculty who publish in prominent exercise and medical journals.

Stand Out in courses like

  • Sport Conditioning
  • Group Exercise Instruction
  • Care and Prevention of Sports Injuries
  • Biomechanics of Human Movement
  • Designing and Directing Exercise Programs

Curriculum

This curriculum enables you to study either the exercise programming specialization or the sports medicine specialization.

Although a bachelor’s degree offers many career options, most of our students do pursue some type of post-graduate education. Options include advanced degrees in clinical fields such as Physical or Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, Orthotics and Prosthetics, Chiropractic or even medical school. Graduate options are also available to continue studies in the field of exercise science. 

Low faculty-student ratio, flexible curriculum and hands-on learning in state-of-the-art laboratories, taught by experts in that particular content area

Internships and Careers

One of this program’s greatest strengths is our students’ participation in field experience opportunities in a professional exercise or health science setting. Our students regularly work with Verizon, Owens Corning, Progressive Insurance, USAA Insurance, University of Toledo Medical Center, St. Luke’s Hospital in Maumee, Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay, St. Rita’s in Lima, Cleveland Clinic Hospitals and dozens of other organizations in Ohio and across the country.

Average Starting Salary & BGSU Placement Rate

$34,423* — BGSU Exercise Science graduates average starting salary

100% of Exercise Science graduates report they're employed, in graduate school or starting a business within six months of graduation

(BGSU data compiled from students who completed the related questions on the graduation survey.)

GO FAR in your career

  • Biomechanist
  • Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation specialist
  • Employee fitness director
Exercise Science Biomechanics Lab

Field experience and employment opportunities include corporate and private fitness, physical and occupational therapy, cardio and pulmonary rehabilitation, athletic training, strength and conditioning and personal training

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in the Exercise Science program are expected to:

  • Discuss the interdisciplinary nature of and primary concepts in exercise science;
  • Observe, analyze, and critique movement and physical activities and their outcomes, integrating the information and concepts from the subdisciplines of exercise science;
  • Apply the scientific bases of the care and prevention of injuries, safety, and emergency procedures, and basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid to exercise settings;
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using technology utilization and in written and oral communication;
  • Explain the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle for maintaining a high level of physical well-being and personal excellence;
  • Demonstrate clear, logical thinking in professional decision making. 

Exercise Programming Specialization
In addition, those students selecting the Exercise Programming Specialization complete the culminating experience of a 15 credit hour internship, and are also held responsible for these learning outcomes:

  • Apply appropriate knowledge and skills to individually assess, evaluate, and intervene with muscular strength, endurance, and cardiorespiratory training, and/or physical fitness and exercise programs for normal and special populations;
  • Transfer concepts from the scientific bases of exercise science (including exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning/development, and human anatomy) to practices in exercise programming;
  • Relate administrative content, facilities, and equipment information to practices in exercise programming.

Sports Medicine Specialization

  • Demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills to perform examinations, assessments, and diagnoses of orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries;
  • Transfer concepts from the scientific bases of sports medicine to therapeutic interventions, health-related emergency situations, and clinical decision-making in the sports medicine setting. 
Accreditation

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

The Exercise Science program is accredited by Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences-Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CoAES-CAAHEP) and is in good standing. More information on accreditation.

Outcome data example: Exercise Science students doing a Capstone Internship complete a survey to rate their satisfaction with the Exercise Science program. For the 2021-22 academic year, 96% of surveys indicated student satisfaction with the program!

CoAES logo - Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences
CAAHEP logo - Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Professional Licensure

Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Exercise Science program does not lead to professional licensure.

Gainful Employment

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Exercise Science program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.

Specializations
  • Sports Medicine
  • Exercise Programming


* Job placement and salary information was compiled by the Office of Academic Assessment through the Graduation Survey from AY2015-2018. The data are gathered around the time of Commencement and a follow-up survey six months post Commencement. For the salary question, data for programs with fewer than fifteen responses are not included. Salaries for those programs are from the National Association of Colleges and Employers Summer 2019 Survey. For questions regarding the data, contact assessment@bgsu.edu.

Updated: 08/17/2023 11:36AM