Exercise Science
A Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science equips students with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to pursue careers in fitness, sports, health promotion and allied health fields.
Exercise Science
Outcomes
A Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science provides graduates with a wide array of career opportunities in the health and fitness industry. Graduates can pursue roles such as exercise physiologists, designing and implementing tailored exercise programs for individuals with diverse health goals or conditions.
They may also work as personal trainers, guiding clients through workouts and offering nutritional advice. Additionally, opportunities exist as fitness instructors, strength and conditioning coaches or cardiac rehabilitation specialists. Other potential career paths include roles in sports performance enhancement, corporate wellness programs or health promotion.
Career Outlook
- Average Salary: $46,569
- Job Postings: 453
Average salary is based on a fitness instructor position from Salary.com. Job posting data is for fitness instructor positions and is provided by Lightcast. This number represents unique job postings from companies looking to hire in the last 30 days as of May 2024.
Exercise Science Degree Options
Major in Exercise Science and choose a track: pre-professional, community health or health and performance.
Concentrations
The sports medicine concentration is intended to provide a theoretical and practical foundation for students interested in athletic training, physical therapy, or medicine. The sports medicine concentration does not fulfill the degree requirements for any major at USF. It is intended to expose students to the acute injury and rehab environments as well as enhance students' resumes and employability. Students will gain experience identifying, treating, and rehabilitating injuries as well as assist with the daily operations of the training room. Students can pursue the sports medicine concentration in combination with any major.
Requirements: Candidates for a sports medicine concentration must complete both the content and practical components of the program.
Required Concentration
Complete the following courses.
- EXS210 - Care & Prevention Of Injuries (2 s.h.)
- EXS225 - Anatomical Kinesiology (2 s.h.) or
- BIO314 - Human Anatomy (4 s.h.)
- EXS217 - Science of Coaching (3 s.h.) or
- EXS310 - Exercise Physiology (4 s.h.)
- ENT225 - Entrepreneurial Mindset (3 s.h.)
Practical Requirement
Complete a minimum of four semesters or eight credits of practicum. Students may register for a maximum of three credit hours per semester. 1 credit hour = 40 contact hours
- EXS160 - Practicum in Sports Medicine I (0-3 s.h.)
- EXS260 - Practicum in Sports Medicine II (0-3 s.h.)
- EXS360 - Practicum in Sports Medicine III (0-3 s.h.)
- EXS460 - Practicum in Sports Medicine IV (0-3 s.h.)
The coaching concentration is intended to provide a theoretical and practical foundation for students interested in coaching in a school, club or recreational setting. The coaching concentration does not fulfill the degree requirements for any major at USF. It is intended to enhance students' resumes and employability. Students can pursue the coaching concentration in combination with any major. Each state and sport organization establishes its own specific coaching endorsement criteria, which may differ from this program. Therefore, students should investigate individual state and organizational requirements.
Required Courses
Complete the following courses.
- EXS205 - First Aid/CPR (1 s.h.)
- EXS210 - Care & Prevention Of Injuries (2 s.h.)
- EXS215 - Ethical Issues in Sports (3 s.h.)
- EXS217 - Science of Coaching (3 s.h.)
- EXS340 - Psychology of Sport & Exercise (3 s.h.) or
- PSY340 - Psychology of Sport & Exercise (3 s.h.)
- EXS301 - Practicum in Sport (2 s.h.)
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