Popular Accredited Exercise Science Degree Programs in Tennessee [2026 Guide]

If you are interested in helping people move better, perform at a higher level, or manage chronic health conditions through physical activity, exercise science programs in Tennessee give you many options.

From large public universities like University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Middle Tennessee State University to private institutions such as Belmont University and Tennessee State University, you can choose from degrees focused on fitness, rehabilitation, performance, and pre-professional health careers.

Tennessee students who need more flexibility can also pursue a fully online exercise science bachelor’s degree through Franklin University, which welcomes students from across the state.

Best Exercise Science Programs in Tennessee

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering exercise programs in Tennessee:

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville – Exercise Science major (Kinesiology, BS in Education)
• Middle Tennessee State University – Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
• East Tennessee State University – BS in Kinesiology, Exercise Science concentration
• Belmont University – Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
• Tennessee State University – Bachelor of Science in Human Performance and Sport Sciences, Exercise Science Concentration
• Franklin University (Online) – Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Exercise Science Major, BS in Education (Kinesiology)

The Exercise Science major in the Kinesiology program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is built for students who want a strong scientific foundation in human movement, health, and performance. You study how the body responds to physical activity across the lifespan, with coursework that prepares you for roles in fitness, strength and conditioning, cardiac rehabilitation, wellness coaching, and pre-professional health fields.

The curriculum blends lecture-based learning with laboratory experiences so you can connect concepts in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics to real testing and training situations. You investigate how exercise influences cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, and metabolic systems, and you learn how to interpret fitness data to design safe and effective programs for different populations.

Advising within the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies helps you shape your course plan around your goals, whether you want to move directly into the workforce or apply to graduate programs in physical therapy, athletic training, exercise physiology, or other allied health professions. You also learn how to read research and apply evidence in practice.

Across your upper division courses, you focus on topics such as exercise testing, program design, strength and conditioning, and physical activity for special populations. You also gain experience with advanced tools like metabolic carts, ECG monitors, and body composition assessment methods used in performance and clinical settings.

The degree typically requires about 120 credit hours, including general education, kinesiology core courses, exercise science requirements, and supporting science coursework in chemistry, biology, and statistics. Most full-time students complete the program in approximately four years, though timelines can vary based on transfer credits and course load.

By graduation, you will have a strong academic record, applied laboratory experience, and exposure to real-world settings that together support both immediate employment and competitive applications to graduate or professional programs.

Courses and Curriculum

The curriculum begins with foundational coursework in general education and basic sciences, followed by an introduction to kinesiology and exercise science. Early classes help you build a base in chemistry, biology, and mathematical reasoning so you can succeed in more advanced exercise science courses.

As you move into the major, you complete a sequence of kinesiology and exercise science classes that emphasize human anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor behavior, and the psychology of physical activity. Laboratory components require you to collect and analyze data, write reports, and practice professional communication.

In your final years, you take advanced courses that focus on exercise testing and prescription, strength and conditioning, and interventions for diverse populations. You may also complete practica or field experiences where you apply classroom knowledge in supervised settings such as fitness centers, clinics, wellness programs, or athletic facilities.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology for Kinesiology – Provides an in-depth study of musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, with a focus on structures that support movement and exercise performance. You learn terminology, anatomical relationships, and functional implications for training and rehabilitation.
• Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology – Examines how the body responds and adapts to acute and chronic exercise, including energy systems, cardiovascular responses, thermoregulation, and endocrine changes. Laboratory experiences reinforce concepts through VO₂ testing, heart rate monitoring, and workload analysis.
• Biomechanics of Human Movement – Introduces mechanical principles that govern motion, such as force, torque, leverage, and momentum. You analyze gait, lifting, and sport skills using qualitative and quantitative approaches to improve performance and reduce injury risk.
• Motor Learning and Control – Focuses on how people acquire, refine, and retain movement skills. You explore feedback, practice scheduling, and skill progression strategies useful for strength and conditioning, coaching, and rehabilitation contexts.
• Strength and Conditioning Principles – Covers resistance training theory and practical program design, including periodization, exercise selection, progression, and safety. You learn how to construct programs for athletes, clinical populations, and general fitness clients while aligning with professional certification standards.
• Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription – Trains you to perform standardized assessments of body composition, aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility. You interpret results to create individualized exercise prescriptions that address health, performance, and risk factors.
• Clinical Exercise Physiology – Emphasizes applying exercise science in medical and rehabilitation settings, including working with clients who have cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary, or musculoskeletal conditions. You learn safety guidelines, monitoring techniques, and interprofessional communication.
• Physical Activity for Special Populations – Examines how to adapt assessment and programming for children, older adults, and individuals with chronic diseases or disabilities. You explore inclusive practices, risk management, and evidence-based modifications for diverse participants.

Practical Experience

Practical learning is a central part of the Exercise Science major at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. You complete laboratory courses where you conduct graded exercise tests, measure body composition, evaluate movement patterns, and interpret physiological data under faculty supervision.

Through practicum and field experience opportunities, you can gain on-site exposure in settings such as campus fitness facilities, community wellness programs, cardiac rehabilitation centers, physical therapy clinics, and strength and conditioning environments. These placements help you build professional skills, network with practitioners, and test different career paths.

Students are also encouraged to engage in undergraduate research, assist in faculty-led projects, or participate in departmental initiatives related to exercise and health. These activities can strengthen your resume and provide additional preparation if you plan to apply for graduate study.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics as they relate to exercise and physical activity.
• Interpret fitness and health assessment data to design safe, effective exercise programs for diverse populations.
• Explain acute and chronic physiological responses to exercise and use this knowledge to support health and performance goals.
• Apply evidence-based principles in strength and conditioning, exercise prescription, and health promotion.
• Communicate professionally with clients, patients, and interdisciplinary teams in oral and written formats.
• Recognize risk factors, contraindications, and safety considerations when supervising physical activity and testing.
• Demonstrate readiness for entry-level positions in fitness, wellness, or allied health settings, or for admission to graduate and professional programs.

Career Preparation & Outcomes

The Exercise Science program prepares you for roles in fitness and wellness centers, corporate or community health promotion, strength and conditioning, and entry-level positions in cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation settings. The curriculum also supports common pre-professional pathways, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, and exercise physiology.

Graduates benefit from the university’s strong student success profile, including an overall six year graduation rate of around 73%, which reflects a campus environment focused on retention, academic support, and timely degree completion.

With practical experience, strong scientific training, and professional networking opportunities in Knoxville’s health and sports communities, many students move directly into fitness and health roles after graduation, while others successfully transition into competitive graduate and professional programs.

Admissions Requirements

• Submit the Common Application or Go Vols application to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
• Provide a completed self-reported high school academic record, including coursework and grades.
• Submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) as required by current university policies, unless applying under a test-optional pathway.
• Demonstrate successful completion of college-preparatory courses in English, mathematics, laboratory science, and social studies.
• For transfer students, submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended and meet departmental progression standards.

Application Deadlines

For summer and fall entry, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville uses an Early Action timeline with a November 1 application submission deadline and a November 15 completion deadline. The regular decision application submission deadline is typically December 15, with a completion deadline around January 15.

For spring entry, first year and transfer applicants generally must complete their applications by mid December. Transfer admission for fall often has a later completion date, around July 1, though you are encouraged to apply earlier to secure advising and course registration.

Middle Tennessee State University

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Middle Tennessee State University is designed for students who want a strong, hands on foundation in human movement, health, and performance. Housed in the Department of Health and Human Performance, the degree emphasizes how physical activity influences fitness, wellness, and chronic disease risk in a variety of populations.

This on campus program follows a traditional four year plan and requires approximately 120 credit hours, including the university general education core, supporting science courses, and the full set of exercise science requirements. As you progress, the balance gradually shifts from broad liberal arts and basic science toward specialized courses in physiology, biomechanics, and exercise testing that define the major.

From the beginning, you build a scientific base through biology, chemistry, and anatomy related coursework, which supports later classes in exercise physiology, movement analysis, and clinical applications. This layered structure helps you understand not only how the body moves, but also why specific training or rehabilitation approaches work at cellular, system, and whole body levels.

The exercise science curriculum integrates lecture and laboratory experiences so you can apply theory with practical skills. In dedicated labs, you work with equipment such as metabolic carts, treadmills, ECG monitors, and strength assessment tools to collect and interpret data on fitness, performance, and health status.

Upper division options, including research focused and applied courses, allow you to align part of your plan with your goals, whether you are interested in corporate wellness, cardiac rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, or preparation for graduate study in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, or exercise physiology.

By the time you complete the degree requirements, you will have a blend of classroom learning, laboratory training, and field based experience that supports both entry level employment in health and fitness settings and a competitive application to professional or graduate programs.

Courses and Curriculum

The curriculum begins with the True Blue Core general education requirements alongside foundational science and introductory health courses. In your first year you typically complete composition, mathematics or statistics, social and behavioral science electives, and an initial exposure to health or physical activity related content while also adjusting to university expectations.

In the second and third years you move into the core of the major with courses focused on human anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor behavior, and fitness assessment. These courses introduce the tools and concepts used in the exercise profession and train you to collect measurements, analyze results, and communicate findings in written and oral formats.

During your final semesters you complete advanced exercise science requirements and approved electives that may include clinical exercise content, strength and conditioning, health promotion, or research and internship experiences. This part of the program emphasizes integration of knowledge and prepares you to transition into professional roles or advanced study.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

• EXSC Introduction to Exercise Science: An overview of the exercise science field, including major subdisciplines, common career paths, professional organizations, and basic terminology. You learn how scientific principles support work in fitness, performance, rehabilitation, and public health.
• EXSC Applied Anatomy for Human Movement: Focuses on skeletal, muscular, and nervous system structures that are most relevant to physical activity. You study joint function, muscle actions, and movement patterns that underlie gait, lifting, sport skills, and rehabilitation exercises.
• EXSC Exercise Physiology: Explores acute and chronic responses of the body to exercise, including energy systems, cardiovascular and respiratory function, and temperature regulation. Lab sessions provide experience in measuring heart rate, oxygen consumption, blood pressure, and workload responses.
• EXSC Biomechanics: Introduces mechanical principles such as force, torque, levers, and momentum as they apply to human movement. You analyze lifting techniques, running mechanics, and sport skills to understand how technique influences performance and injury risk.
• EXSC Fitness Assessment and Prescription: Covers standardized testing protocols for aerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. You learn how to interpret results and use them to design safe, individualized exercise prescriptions for different age groups and health conditions.
• EXSC Motor Learning and Control: Examines how individuals acquire and refine movement skills over time. Topics include feedback, practice structure, motor development, and retention, with direct application to coaching, instruction, and rehabilitation.
• EXSC Clinical Exercise Applications: Applies exercise science principles in clinical and medically supervised environments. You study exercise considerations for clients with cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, and orthopedic conditions and practice modifying programs for safety and effectiveness.
• EXSC Internship or Field Experience in Exercise Science: Provides supervised experience in an approved setting such as a hospital based wellness program, corporate fitness center, community health organization, or strength and conditioning facility. You apply assessment, program design, and communication skills with real clients or patients.

Practical Experience

The Exercise Science program at Middle Tennessee State University strongly emphasizes applied learning. Many core courses include laboratory components where you conduct graded exercise tests, muscular fitness assessments, flexibility evaluations, and movement analyses using industry standard tools and software.

Beyond the lab, you can complete an internship or field experience where you work directly with clients in sites such as hospital wellness programs, cardiac rehabilitation centers, community fitness facilities, and university or corporate strength and conditioning units. These placements help you practice professional communication, refine coaching and instruction skills, and experience day to day operations in health and fitness environments.

Students also have opportunities to engage with faculty research projects or community outreach initiatives, such as exercise testing events or health promotion campaigns. These experiences add depth to your resume and can be especially valuable if you plan to apply to graduate or professional programs that value research and service.

Learning Outcomes

• Explain how anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical principles relate to human movement, fitness, and health across the lifespan.
• Conduct valid and reliable assessments of aerobic capacity, muscular fitness, body composition, and flexibility using accepted exercise science protocols.
• Design safe, effective, and evidence based exercise programs for healthy individuals and for clients with common risk factors or stable chronic conditions.
• Interpret assessment data and scientific research to make informed decisions about training progression, program modification, and risk management.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal and professional communication skills in interactions with clients, patients, colleagues, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Recognize ethical and legal responsibilities related to client confidentiality, informed consent, and professional scope of practice in exercise settings.
• Apply behavior change and health promotion strategies that support long term adherence to physical activity and healthy lifestyle patterns.
• Demonstrate readiness for entry level positions in fitness, wellness, and related fields or for admission to graduate and professional programs in allied health.

Career Preparation & Outcomes

A degree in Exercise Science from Middle Tennessee State University helps prepare you for positions in corporate and hospital based wellness programs, public and private fitness centers, community health organizations, strength and conditioning settings, and entry level roles in cardiac rehabilitation or clinical exercise environments. The program also provides a strong academic foundation for further study in exercise physiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, and other allied health professions.

Dedicated advising, access to the MTSU Career Development Center, and structured internship experiences support your transition from the classroom to the workplace. You learn how to build a professional resume, prepare for certification exams, and connect with employers or graduate programs interested in exercise science graduates.

Middle Tennessee State University reports a six year graduation rate of about 54%, which reflects institutional support for student success and timely degree completion. Combined with applied coursework and hands on experience, this environment helps many exercise science majors move smoothly into their chosen careers or advanced study.

Admissions Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent that meets Middle Tennessee State University undergraduate admission standards, including a college preparatory curriculum in English, mathematics, science, and social studies.
• Submission of the online undergraduate application for admission and payment of the nonrefundable application fee.
• Official high school transcripts and, when required by current policy, official ACT or SAT scores sent directly to MTSU.
• For transfer students, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended and a minimum cumulative college GPA that meets MTSU transfer admission guidelines.
• Satisfactory completion of foundational courses in areas such as biology, chemistry, and mathematics as you progress into upper division exercise science coursework.

Application Deadlines

Middle Tennessee State University encourages students to apply early. For first time freshmen, the priority date for fall admission decisions is July 1, with December 1 commonly used as the priority date for fall scholarship consideration. For spring entry, the priority admission date is typically December 15.

Transfer, former, non degree, and post baccalaureate students follow similar priority dates, with July 1 usually serving as the key deadline for fall admission decisions and December 15 for spring.

East Tennessee State University

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (Kinesiology – Exercise Science Concentration)

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is a 120-credit hour program typically completed in four years of full time study. The program is offered under the School of Human Performance and Sport Science and is structured to provide a comprehensive education in human movement, physiology, biomechanics, fitness assessment, and applied exercise science.

From the first semesters you build foundational scientific knowledge through courses in anatomy and physiology, chemistry or biology, biomechanics and kinesiology fundamentals. This provides a strong basis for later coursework focused on how physical activity, exercise, and movement influence fitness, wellness, rehabilitation, and human performance across lifespan and populations.

As you advance, core exercise science courses integrate lecture and laboratory work, giving you hands-on experience in fitness testing, movement analysis, and exercise prescription. This combination helps bridge theoretical concepts with real-world application, preparing students for careers or graduate study in health, fitness, and allied-health fields.

The program also includes community-engaged and service-oriented learning experiences, aligning with ETSU’s commitment to health promotion and public wellness. Through labs and applied classes you are encouraged to explore the role of exercise in wellness, prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement for diverse populations.

With flexibility built in via elective choices, the Exercise Science concentration supports career goals ranging from strength and conditioning, corporate wellness, clinical exercise physiology, health promotion, to preparation for graduate or professional programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, physician assistant studies, and medicine.

By graduation you will complete roughly 120 credits combining general education, foundational sciences, kinesiology and exercise science courses, labs, and internship or field experience-producing well-rounded graduates ready for entry-level roles or further study.

Courses and Curriculum

The curriculum begins with foundational science and general education courses including anatomy and physiology, introductory movement/kinesiology classes, basic biology or chemistry, and supporting courses. These early courses help you develop understanding of human body structure and function, scientific reasoning, and preparatory knowledge for more advanced exercise science topics.

Once foundational courses are completed, you start core exercise science coursework such as structural kinesiology, exercise physiology, conditioning, biomechanics, and fitness assessment. Many of these courses include laboratory components where you practice movement analysis, body composition testing, exercise testing, and compile data for interpretation. These hands-on labs help you gain practical skills in measurement and exercise prescription.

In later semesters you take advanced courses like exercise testing and prescription, Sport and Exercise Psychology, and other electives aligned to your interests. The program concludes with a required internship sequence, giving you supervised experience working in fitness, wellness, clinical, or sport performance environments and integrating classroom learning with professional practice.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

• PEXS 1100 – Introduction to Exercise Science: Introduces the discipline of exercise science, reviews professional pathways, and explores how human movement, health, and fitness interact. Students begin planning their academic and career trajectory in fitness, wellness, clinical exercise, or allied health fields.
• PEXS 2130 – Human Anatomy and Kinesiology: Focuses on musculoskeletal anatomy, joint structure and function, muscle actions, and movement mechanics. Provides the anatomical basis necessary for understanding movement, exercise modality selection, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.
• PEXS 2350 – Exercise Physiology: Explores physiological responses to acute exercise and long-term training adaptations in cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, and neuromuscular systems. Includes lab work to assess fitness, measure physiological variables, and interpret data relevant to health and performance.
• PEXS 3100 – Conditioning and Fitness Concepts: Covers training principles for strength, endurance, flexibility, and overall fitness. Students learn program design, progression strategies, and how to tailor exercise plans based on individual goals, health status, and performance needs.
• PEXS 3200 – Biomechanics and Movement Analysis: Applies mechanical principles to human movement. Topics include force production, lever systems, joint loading, movement efficiency, posture, gait, and techniques to analyze motion to optimize performance or reduce injury risk.
• PEXS 3300 – Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription: Teaches standardized protocols for testing aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility, functional movement, and body composition. Students learn to interpret test data and design individualized exercise programs for health, fitness, rehabilitation, or performance.
• PEXS 4370 – Exercise and Sport Psychology: Explores psychological and behavioral aspects of physical activity, motivation, adherence, stress, and wellness. Prepares students to support clients’ lifestyle changes, coach motivation, and maintain long term engagement in fitness behaviors.
• PEXS 4630 – Exercise Science Internship I: Provides supervised field experience in approved settings such as fitness centers, wellness programs, rehabilitation clinics, strength and conditioning facilities, or community health organizations. You apply assessment, programming, communication, and professional skills under mentorship.

Practical Experience

Laboratory-based courses such as Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, and Fitness Assessment offer hands-on practice in measuring physiological responses to exercise, conducting movement analysis, and assessing body composition and functional capacity. These practical labs build technical competence and familiarity with fitness and health assessment equipment and protocols.

The program requires a supervised internship. During this internship, you work in real-world settings like fitness centers, rehabilitation clinics, community wellness organizations, or strength and conditioning facilities. Under supervision you conduct assessments, lead exercise sessions or wellness classes, design training plans, monitor progress, and interact with clients or patients – preparing you for professional roles and building a portfolio of applied experience before graduation.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics as they relate to exercise, movement, and health across the lifespan.
• Conduct valid and reliable fitness and movement assessments including aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, body composition, and functional movement.
• Interpret assessment and physiological data and use evidence based principles to design individualized exercise and wellness programs for healthy and special populations.
• Apply biomechanical and movement analysis to optimize performance, improve movement efficiency, and reduce risk of injury.
• Incorporate psychological and behavioral strategies to support long term adherence to physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Communicate professionally and ethically with clients, patients, peers, and other health professionals in both written and oral formats.
• Demonstrate readiness for entry level positions in fitness, wellness, rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, or allied health support roles, or for acceptance to graduate and professional programs in allied health fields.
• Understand and apply community and population-level health and wellness principles through education, promotion, and preventive programming.

Career Preparation & Outcomes

The Exercise Science program at East Tennessee State University prepares graduates for careers in fitness and wellness centers, sport performance facilities, corporate or community wellness programs, rehabilitation clinics, strength and conditioning coaching, and health promotion roles. It also provides a solid foundation for graduate or professional study in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, clinical exercise physiology, physician assistant studies, medicine, and allied health disciplines.

The 4-year graduation rate for ETSU undergraduates in the Exercise Science program is approximately 76%, reflecting the program’s emphasis on retention, academic advising, and career preparation. Internship and community-engaged learning experiences combined with rigorous academic training give students a competitive advantage in employment or further study upon graduation.

Admissions Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent that meets ETSU general admission standards including college preparatory coursework in mathematics, science, English, and social science.
• Submission of undergraduate application with official transcripts and any required documentation or application fee in accordance with ETSU admissions policy.
• Completion of general education and foundational science prerequisites (such as biology or chemistry) before beginning upper division exercise science courses.
• Consent and ability to participate in laboratory work and a supervised internship or field experience under university guidance and site-specific requirements.
• For transfer students, submission of all prior college transcripts for evaluation and meeting department standards for admission into the Exercise Science major concentration.

Application Deadlines

East Tennessee State University follows a standard undergraduate admissions calendar with fall, spring, and summer entry possibilities.

Belmont University

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Belmont University is a 128 credit hour program designed to prepare you for health, fitness, rehabilitation, and sport performance careers. The program is housed in the College of Health Sciences and Public Health, giving you access to applied labs, professional faculty, and modern training environments on campus in Nashville, Tennessee.

The curriculum introduces you to the scientific foundations of movement, including anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, motor behavior, and exercise testing. You also learn how exercise can be used to enhance performance, prevent disease, improve health outcomes, and support rehabilitation across a range of populations.

Belmont integrates classroom learning with hands on laboratory experiences and supervised fieldwork. Students work with equipment commonly used in exercise testing and performance environments such as metabolic carts, motion analysis systems, ECG monitors, strength measurement devices, and body composition tools.

Elective pathways allow you to focus on performance, clinical exercise science, strength and conditioning, health promotion, or preparation for graduate study in allied health fields. Many graduates choose to pursue advanced degrees in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, exercise physiology, or athletic training.

Students also take classes in behavior change, coaching strategies, and health communication, helping you work effectively with clients and teams in real wellness, sport, and clinical environments. Belmont emphasizes ethical practice and professionalism alongside technical competence.

You complete the degree through a capstone or internship, where you work in a supervised placement in a wellness center, rehabilitation clinic, sport performance facility, or health promotion organization. Graduation typically occurs after fulfilling 128 credit hours, including general education, major requirements, and electives.

Courses and Curriculum

The first stages of the program focus on general education requirements and foundational science. You complete coursework in biology, chemistry, composition, statistics, and introductory kinesiology or fitness concepts. These courses prepare you for applied topics later in the degree.

In the exercise science core, you learn how to explain movement from anatomical, physiological, and mechanical perspectives. Laboratory sessions help you measure physical fitness variables, monitor training responses, and interpret results for individuals or teams.

In the final portion of the degree, you take advanced courses in exercise prescription, clinical exercise science, strength and conditioning, and research methods. A required internship provides real world experience and professional mentoring.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II: Covers anatomical structures and physiological functions across major body systems including muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, and skeletal systems. Provides foundational knowledge required for exercise testing and program design.
• Exercise Physiology: Studies acute and chronic responses to exercise such as cardiovascular output, metabolic adaptations, thermoregulation, and neuromuscular response. Laboratory sessions include graded exercise tests and metabolic analysis.
• Biomechanics: Focuses on mechanical laws of motion and force application within human movement. Students evaluate joint angles, force production, gait patterns, and performance strategies to optimize movement and reduce injury risk.
• Motor Development and Skill Acquisition: Examines how movement skills develop and how practice structure, feedback, and individual differences influence learning and retention of physical activity skills.
• Strength and Conditioning Principles: Teaches periodization, training variables, movement technique, resistance training safety, and program planning for athletes and active populations.
• Clinical Exercise Assessment: Introduces assessment procedures for individuals with cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, or musculoskeletal conditions. Students learn safety, monitoring, and exercise modification techniques.
• Research Methods in Exercise Science: Covers data collection, study design, statistical interpretation, and scientific writing relevant to movement science and physical activity research.
• Exercise Science Internship: Provides supervised work experience in corporate wellness, athletic performance, strength and conditioning, cardiac rehabilitation, or clinical exercise environments.

Practical Experience

Belmont University emphasizes applied learning throughout the degree. Most upper division courses include laboratory components, where you practice assessment techniques such as VO₂ measurement, ECG monitoring, anthropometric testing, movement screening, and flexibility evaluation.

Internship placements provide real world experience. Students complete supervised fieldwork in healthcare organizations, community wellness agencies, college athletic programs, commercial gyms, or rehabilitation settings. Professional networking opportunities are also supported through faculty advising and connections within the Nashville health and fitness community.

Capstone experiences often involve project based learning where you design and implement exercise programs, analyze performance data, or assist with wellness initiatives for special populations.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate understanding of anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical concepts related to human movement and exercise.
• Conduct valid fitness assessments for cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, flexibility, and body composition using standardized protocols.
• Design evidence based exercise programs tailored to client goals, fitness levels, risk factors, and performance needs.
• Apply behavioral and motivational techniques that support long term physical activity adherence.
• Use research literature to interpret findings, support exercise planning, and communicate with professional audiences.
• Demonstrate professionalism, ethical practice, and effective communication in health, fitness, sport, and rehabilitation environments.
• Prepare for national certifications in strength and conditioning, personal training, or clinical exercise roles.
• Show readiness for graduate study in physical therapy, athletic training, exercise physiology, or allied health fields.

Career Preparation & Outcomes

Graduates of the Belmont University BS in Exercise Science pursue careers in corporate wellness, personal training, athletic performance coaching, cardiac rehabilitation support, community fitness leadership, and health promotion. Many also pursue graduate study in allied health professions.

The university provides professional development support through advising, internship placement assistance, resume preparation, and mentoring relationships with local sport and health organizations.

Belmont University reports a six year graduation rate of about 70%, demonstrating strong institutional support and student success outcomes that contribute to workforce readiness and timely degree completion.

Admissions Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent that meets Belmont University admission standards.
• Submission of the Belmont undergraduate application plus official high school transcripts.
• Standardized test scores unless applying under current test flexible or test optional guidelines.
• Completion of prerequisite science and general education coursework prior to upper division exercise science classes.
• For transfer students, submission of official transcripts from all prior institutions and evaluation of transferable credits.

Application Deadlines

Belmont University operates with rolling admission but encourages applicants to submit materials early for best consideration, especially for fall and spring start dates. Scholarship priority deadlines are typically in early December.
Tennessee State University

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (Human Performance & Sport Sciences)

The B.S. in Exercise Science at Tennessee State University is offered by the Department of Human Performance and Sport Sciences (HPSS). The degree is built around a standard 120-credit hour plan combining general education, foundational sciences, and major-specific courses in human movement, physiology, biomechanics, and health sciences. The program is structured for completion in roughly four years for full-time students.

Students start with core coursework including biology, chemistry or related sciences, mathematics, and general education classes. These fundamentals prepare you for understanding human structure and system functioning. Alongside, early HPSS-level courses introduce you to exercise science concepts, first-aid/CPR, basic health, and orientation to the profession.

As you advance, structured major courses delve deeper into anatomy and kinesiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, fitness assessment, movement analysis, and clinical or public-health oriented aspects of exercise science. The curriculum prepares you to understand how physical activity influences health, performance, rehabilitation, and wellness across lifespan and populations.

The program also emphasizes applied learning through laboratory, practical courses, and required field experiences or internships. These experiences help you translate theoretical knowledge into practice – working in fitness centers, clinics, community wellness settings, or sport and performance environments under supervision.

Electives and concentration options allow you to steer your degree toward clinical exercise, health promotion, athletic performance, rehabilitation support, or preparation for graduate and professional programs like physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, or exercise physiology.

Upon fulfilling all degree requirements, including required general education, major core, labs, electives, and field-experience or internship components, students graduate with a comprehensive foundation in exercise science, ready for entry-level roles or further study.

Courses and Curriculum

The first semesters include general education (English composition, mathematics, humanities/social sciences) along with introductory HPSS courses. One required early class is HPSS 2060 – First Aid/CPR, which ensures students have basic emergency response and safety training foundational for work in fitness, health, or rehabilitation settings. Other foundational courses give exposure to human biology, health, and basic movement concepts that support later specialised work.

Once foundational and general courses are complete, students enter structured major coursework. Core classes include Human Anatomy and Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics and Movement Analysis, Conditioning and Fitness Concepts, Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription, and Sport & Exercise Psychology. Many courses include lab or practical components to practice assessment protocols, analyze movement, monitor fitness or physiological data, and understand how to design exercise programs for various populations.

In the final years, advanced courses and elective options allow specialization. Students may take classes relevant to clinical populations, rehabilitation, health promotion, or performance-based training. A required internship or field-experience course links academic learning with real-world practice under supervision, giving hands-on exposure in community fitness centers, wellness programs, clinical or rehab environments, or sport performance facilities.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

• PEXS 1100 – Introduction to Exercise Science: Offers an overview of the discipline, key sub-fields such as physiology, biomechanics, health promotion, and introduces career pathways in fitness, health, rehabilitation, and allied health professions.
• PEXS 2130 – Human Anatomy and Kinesiology: Focuses on musculoskeletal anatomy, joint mechanics, muscle action, and movement mechanics. Provides the anatomical basis needed for movement analysis, exercise prescription, injury prevention, and rehabilitation programming.
• PEXS 2350 – Exercise Physiology: Covers how body systems respond and adapt to exercise stress. Topics include cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic and neuromuscular responses to acute exercise and long-term training adaptations. Lab work helps students measure physiological variables and interpret data relevant to performance, health and rehabilitation.
• PEXS 3200 – Biomechanics and Movement Analysis: Applies mechanical and kinematic principles to human movement. Students analyze gait, joint loading, force production, posture, and movement patterns to understand performance mechanics and risk of injury, informing exercise technique and program design.
• PEXS 3100 – Conditioning and Fitness Concepts: Teaches principles of strength, endurance, flexibility, and overall fitness. Emphasis on program design, training variables, progression, and adaptation – for athletic, general population, or rehabilitative contexts.
• PEXS 3300 – Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription: Teaches assessment of aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, body composition, and functional movement. Students learn to interpret assessment data and create individualized exercise prescriptions for various health and performance goals.
• PEXS 4370 – Sport and Exercise Psychology: Explores psychological and behavioral factors that influence physical activity, motivation, adherence, stress, and wellness. Prepares students to support clients’ long-term engagement and mental well-being in fitness or rehabilitation settings.
• PEXS 4630 – Exercise Science Internship I: A supervised field-experience placing students in approved wellness centers, gyms, clinical or rehab facilities, community health programs or athletic training settings. You apply assessment, programming, coaching or rehabilitation support under supervision, gaining real-world experience before graduation.

Practical Experience

Laboratory-based courses throughout the major give students hands-on exposure to movement analysis, physiological testing, fitness assessment, and data interpretation. You practice using equipment for body composition, strength testing, aerobic testing, and observe or measure responses to exercise under controlled conditions. This helps you build technical competence and familiarity with tools used in real-world fitness, clinical or sport settings.

The required internship course offers field-based professional experience under supervision. Students may work in fitness centers, community wellness programs, rehabilitation clinics, athletic training facilities, or corporate wellness programs depending on placement. During the internship they apply programming, assessment, coaching, rehabilitation or health promotion skills and gain experience interacting with clients or patients, planning programs, monitoring progress, and working with other health or fitness professionals.

These practical components prepare graduates for roles such as fitness trainer, strength and conditioning assistant, wellness coach, exercise specialist, rehabilitation support staff, or community health promoter. They also provide a strong foundation for graduate or professional study in allied health, therapy, clinical exercise science, or sport performance fields.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy and kinesiology as it relates to movement, exercise, and functional capacity across the lifespan.
• Explain physiological responses of body systems to exercise stress and understand adaptations to training, rehabilitation, or conditioning.
• Conduct valid fitness and functional assessments – including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, body composition, and movement patterns – using standardized protocols.
• Design safe, individualized, and evidence-based exercise prescriptions tailored to client health status, goals, and performance needs.
• Use biomechanics and movement analysis to assess technique, optimize performance, and reduce risk of injury.
• Incorporate psychosocial, behavioral, and motivational principles in programming to support long-term adherence and wellness outcomes.
• Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior when working with clients, patients, or populations in clinical, community, or performance contexts.
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form with clients, colleagues, and interdisciplinary teams about assessments, programs, and progress.

Career Preparation & Outcomes

The Exercise Science degree at Tennessee State University prepares you for a variety of health, fitness, wellness, and performance-related careers. Potential roles include fitness trainer, wellness coach, strength and conditioning assistant, rehabilitation support specialist, community health program coordinator, and entry-level staff in corporate or hospital-based wellness or rehabilitation facilities.

For those planning further education, the program provides a solid foundation for graduate or professional programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, clinical exercise physiology, health education, or public health.

Students benefit from applied lab work, supervised internships, and practical exposure to real-world practice environments, which helps build skills, professional behavior, and a portfolio that supports employability or graduate school applications. Tennessee State University reports a six-year graduation rate of about 44% for bachelor degree students. This provides context on completion outcomes and suggests levels of institutional support for student success and persistence.

Admissions Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and completion of a college-preparatory curriculum in mathematics, science, English, and social studies to meet general admission standards at TSU.
• Submission of an undergraduate application to Tennessee State University with official high school transcripts and required application documents or fees.
• Completion of foundational general education and prerequisite courses (biology, chemistry, mathematics, composition) before or during early semesters of the Exercise Science degree path.
• Maintain minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (some departmental policies may require 2.5 for certain allowances) to remain in good standing.
• Consent to participate in required lab courses and supervised internships which may require health or site-specific clearances, compliance with safety guidelines, and background checks if applying to clinical sites.
• For transfer students, submission of official transcripts from all prior institutions for evaluation and fulfillment of any missing prerequisites or general education requirements.

Application Deadlines

Tennessee State University follows a traditional undergraduate admissions calendar with fall and spring entry. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the admissions cycle to secure placement, especially for science and major prerequisite courses and to maximize chances of receiving institutional support and advising.