BS in Exercise Science at Sacred Heart University

At Sacred Heart, you’ll benefit from an exercise science bachelor's degree program with a direct focus on exercise science and related clinical skills, alongside other students with the same major. You’ll gain hands-on, practical experience and learn from faculty who are experts in the field.

Why Earn Your BS in Exercise Science at Sacred Heart?

You will receive a comprehensive education that will enable you educate clients so they may enhance their health related physical fitness, functional performance and health related quality of life.

As an Exercise Science major, you will study the movement of the human body as it relates to physical fitness and functional performance while preparing for a career as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician assistant, strength and conditioning specialist, clinical exercise or health and fitness professional, or for further studies in the allied health or medical fields.

At many schools, exercise science courses are intertwined with topics in general physical education, making it challenging to gain a specialized education. At Sacred Heart, you will benefit from studying in a program with a direct emphasis on exercise science and related clinical skills, alongside other students with the same major.

In the Exercise Science program, you will also:

• Gain practical, hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art facilities that include motion analysis, human performance, and human cadaver laboratories, as well as the Pioneer Performance Center
• Learn from faculty who are experts in the fields of strength and conditioning, nutritional influences on health and performance, rehabilitation, biomechanics, health promotion, and community-outreach programs into the classroom 
• Get clinical experience right here on campus, through work in the Pioneer Performance Center (PPC) and SHU FIT Health & Wellness Center
• Benefit from a capstone experience that prepares you for the ACSM EP-C exam 
• Study exercise physiology, human anatomy, and exercise prescription as it applies to healthy, compromised, and special populations
• Understand strength and conditioning concepts and behavioral influences on exercise adherence
• Gain internship experience, thanks to our affiliation with more than 30 professionals that are recognized in a broad range of exercise science disciplines and professions
• Have the opportunity to join the Exercise Science Student Club and to study abroad
• Graduate eligible to take the ACSM EP-C (exercise physiologist) certification exam and National Strength & Conditioning Association licensure exam

Benefit from accelerated degree options

Students have the opportunity to complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees together through special accelerated degree programs.

3+2 undergraduate/graduate degree programs

Undergraduate students have four options for completing their undergraduate and graduate degrees within five years (three years of undergraduate coursework and two years of graduate coursework):

• BS in Exercise Science and MS in Exercise & Sport Science
• BS in Exercise Science and Master of Public Health
• BS in Exercise Science and MS in Athletic Training
• BS in Exercise Science and MS in Occupational Therapy

In all four programs, students must work closely with their advisor to follow a specific sequence of study. Please note that some summer work is required in the Exercise & Sport Science program. Summer coursework may be completed at other universities offering equivalent courses.

3+3 Physical Therapy program

Undergraduate students can complete their undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and graduate degree in Physical Therapy within six years (three years of undergraduate coursework and three years of graduate coursework). 

Admission requirements

The Exercise Science program typically accepts students following their second semester of Undergraduate course work. A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and a minimum grade of C in Introduction to Exercise Science (EX 100) and General Biology I/II are required for admission.

Freshmen interested in applying to the Exercise Science program can contact Matthew Moran, PhD, Associate Professor, for program information. Declaration of Major forms should be submitted to Chrystyne Maloney.

Graduate prepared for a career or further study

Exercise Science majors are ready for a career:

• In all areas of allied health, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and chronic disease management programs
• As a physician’s assistant

Graduates are employed in a variety of settings, including:

• Elite performance centers
• Corporate fitness facilities (Corporate worksite health promotion centers)
• Medical Fitness Centers
• Outpatient rehabilitation exercise facilities
• Chronic disease rehabilitation and management programs
• Pharmaceutical or medical sales

Graduates are also prepared for medical school or graduate studies in exercise science.