Popular Accredited Exercise Science Programs and Schools in Missouri [2026 Guide]

Exercise science programs in Missouri give you access to strong science based preparation for careers in fitness, clinical exercise, wellness, rehabilitation, sport performance, and allied health pathways.

You can study at well known institutions such as the University of Missouri, Missouri State University, Southeast Missouri State University, and Lindenwood University. For students seeking a flexible format, the online Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Franklin University provides an option that can be completed from anywhere in Missouri.

This guide explores some of the popular exercise science programs in Missouri, each of which offers unique benefits for you as a student. Compare and contrast them to see which one is the best fit for your future goals!

Best Exercise Science Programs in Missouri

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

• University of Missouri – Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
• Missouri State University – Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Movement Science
• Southeast Missouri State University – Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
• Lindenwood University – Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
• Northwest Missouri State University – Bachelor of Science in Health & Exercise Science
• Franklin University (Online) – Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

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

University of Missouri

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at University of Missouri is a 120 credit hour program housed in the School of Health Professions. It prepares you for careers in fitness and clinical exercise settings, strength and conditioning, health coaching, and for pre professional training in physical therapy, athletic training, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, and related health programs. The curriculum includes general education, foundational science courses, advanced kinesiology coursework, and hands on practicum experiences.

Early in the program you complete foundational courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and introductory movement science. These establish the scientific base for understanding how the human body performs, adapts, and responds to stress, exercise, and training. These requirements also support preparation for many allied health graduate programs.

As you progress you take specialized kinesiology courses in biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor behavior, strength and conditioning, and movement analysis. These classes explore mechanical, metabolic, and neuromuscular aspects of physical activity and teach you how to assess performance and health variables across populations.

The University of Missouri offers elective options that allow you to tailor the major toward clinical exercise, applied performance, health promotion, or a pre professional track. This flexibility helps you fit prerequisites for graduate study while meeting the 120 credit program requirements.

Applied learning is emphasized through labs, hands on testing sessions, skill based coursework, and practicums in fitness, wellness, or clinical environments. You gain experience administering exercise tests, analyzing movement patterns, interpreting physiological data, and designing programs for clients with varied needs.

You complete the degree when you finish all general education, major core classes, electives, and practicum experiences. Graduates leave with the scientific knowledge and practical preparation required for professional roles or competitive graduate school applications.

Courses and Curriculum

Your first semesters include general education classes along with key science prerequisites. Courses in biology, human physiology, general chemistry, and introductory health or movement science help you understand foundational concepts before approaching advanced exercise science work.

In your middle semesters you move into core kinesiology topics. This includes biomechanics, exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, and movement analysis. Laboratory components help you practice cardiorespiratory testing, muscular fitness evaluation, motion analysis, and metabolic assessments.

Upper division requirements include advanced kinesiology electives, practicum placements, applied research or seminar courses, and program specific electives that allow you to develop a focused area of study. This stage of the program builds your professional readiness and prepares you for certification or graduate study.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

• Introduction to Kinesiology: Introduces the scientific study of movement and physical activity, covering subfields like biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor learning, and health behavior. Helps you understand the scope of exercise science careers.
• Human Anatomy with Lab: Covers structural components of major body systems and their roles in movement and function. Lab sessions include anatomical models and movement focused demonstrations.
• Human Physiology: Explores how cardiovascular, muscular, metabolic, and respiratory systems function and respond to physical activity. Provides essential groundwork for exercise physiology courses.
• Biomechanics of Human Movement: Examines mechanical principles such as force, torque, momentum, and energy as applied to human movement. Movement analysis activities show how biomechanics explains performance and injury risk.
• Exercise Physiology: Studies acute and chronic responses of major body systems to exercise and training. Labs include cardiorespiratory testing, metabolic assessments, and data interpretation.
• Strength and Conditioning Principles: Applies resistance training science, program design, progression, and movement technique coaching. Prepares you for work with athletes and general populations.
• Motor Control and Learning: Explores neurological and behavioral processes involved in movement acquisition, skill development, and coordination.
• Kinesiology Practicum: A supervised field placement where you work in wellness centers, fitness programs, clinical exercise settings, or sport performance environments. You apply assessment, coaching, and client management skills under supervision.

Practical Experience

Practical learning occurs throughout the Exercise Science program. Laboratory courses allow you to work with metabolic testing equipment, strength testing tools, cardiorespiratory assessment devices, and movement analysis software. These experiences help you build technical competence in evaluating fitness and performance variables.

The practicum experience places you in a supervised professional setting such as a hospital wellness program, outpatient rehabilitation center, strength and conditioning facility, or corporate wellness environment. You gain applied experience in exercise testing, program design, coaching, communication, and health promotion.

Many students also assist faculty with research, volunteer in health outreach projects, or pursue additional internships to expand their portfolios before graduation.

Learning Outcomes

• Explain anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical principles as they relate to exercise, movement, health, and human performance.
• Conduct fitness, performance, and clinical exercise assessments using appropriate tools and protocols.
• Interpret physiological, mechanical, and behavioral data to design evidence based exercise and training programs.
• Use movement analysis and biomechanical principles to improve performance and minimize injury risk.
• Integrate nutrition, health behavior, and psychological considerations into wellness and performance programming.
• Communicate scientific information clearly to clients, health professionals, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Apply ethical and professional standards in fitness, wellness, clinical, and performance environments.
• Demonstrate readiness for national certification exams or for graduate study in allied health or performance science.

Career Preparation & Outcomes

Graduates from the University of Missouri Exercise Science program enter roles such as exercise specialist, personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, wellness coordinator, cardiac rehabilitation assistant, or health educator. Others pursue graduate study in physical therapy, athletic training, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, or public health.

Internships, laboratories, and practicum experiences help you develop hands on skills employers seek. Advising and career support prepare you for certification pathways and graduate applications. The University of Missouri reports a six year graduation rate of about 70%, reflecting strong student support and steady degree completion outcomes.

Admissions Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent with college preparatory coursework in math, science, English, and social science.
• Submission of a completed application with official transcripts and required materials.
• Completion of foundational science prerequisites such as biology, chemistry, and introductory health or movement science.
• Minimum GPA of 2.7 for progression into upper division kinesiology coursework.
• For transfer students, submission of official transcripts for evaluation of transferable credits.
• Eligibility and clearance for practicum or internship experiences as required by placement sites.

Application Deadlines

The University of Missouri offers rolling admission with priority dates for fall entry. Applying early helps ensure access to academic advising, scholarships, course scheduling, and practicum planning.

Missouri State University

Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Movement Science

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Movement Science at Missouri State University is administered by the School of Health Sciences. The degree combines general education courses, foundational sciences, and a structured major core in exercise science and movement studies. Students select one of two tracks – Health Studies or Pre-Professional – depending on their long-term goals in wellness, fitness, or preparation for allied health graduate programs.

The program requires completion of general education and core prerequisite courses (biology, chemistry or physics, mathematics, and foundational health or movement classes), followed by specialized kinesiology and exercise science coursework. As you advance, you take classes in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, health and wellness promotion, exercise prescription, and movement science theory.

Missouri State emphasizes active learning. Students undergo more than 300 hours of clinical and practical experience – working with children, adults, and athletes through internships, labs, and supervised placements. This hands-on requirement gives real-world exposure that complements theory and builds readiness for professional roles.

The program spans a typical four-year plan for full-time students, with a total credit-hour count that depends on general education load plus major requirements and electives. Students may also use electives toward a minor if they wish, giving flexibility to tailor the degree to personal or career interests.

The Pre-Professional track is structured to meet prerequisites for graduate-level health programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, or other allied health fields. The Health Studies track is geared toward careers in wellness, fitness, coaching, health promotion, or community health.

At graduation you will have completed foundational sciences, core and specialized exercise science coursework, practical hours, and electives (or optional minor), providing a solid knowledge base, applied experience, and professional readiness for a variety of paths.

Courses and Curriculum

The early portion of the degree involves general education and prerequisite science courses required for the major. This includes foundational anatomy and physiology, introductory biology or chemistry, mathematics or statistics, and basic movement or health-related classes. These courses prepare you scientifically and academically for rigorous exercise science study.

Once prerequisites are completed, you begin core and major-specific exercise science and movement courses. Coursework includes structural anatomy and kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, health and wellness promotion, introductory exercise science, and foundational movement science classes. You also engage in labs and supervised practical sessions where you learn to perform fitness and movement assessments, physiological testing, wellness evaluations, and design exercise and health programs.

Toward the final semesters, the program offers advanced electives, track-specific courses, and required real-world practicum or internship placements for professional experience. The Pre-Professional track covers courses to meet graduate-school prerequisites, while the Health Studies track emphasizes wellness, fitness promotion, community health, and health behavior strategies. Electives and optional minors allow personal tailoring of your degree.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

• Introduction to Exercise Science: Introduces the scope of exercise and movement science, major subdisciplines, career pathways, and expectations for applied practice or further study. This course helps you orient your academic plan and career goals
• Human Anatomy and Kinesiology: Covers musculoskeletal and joint structure, muscle function, skeletal anatomy, movement basics, and functional mechanics relevant to exercise, training, rehabilitation, and movement analysis.
• Exercise Physiology: Studies how the body responds to acute exercise and adapts over time. Topics include cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic and neuromuscular responses and adaptations. Lab or practical components enable measurement and interpretation of physiological data related to performance, health, and fitness.
• Biomechanics and Movement Analysis: Applies mechanical and biomechanical principles to human movement. Coursework includes analysis of force, motion, leverage, joint loading, posture, gait, and movement efficiency – useful for athletic performance, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and movement optimization.
• Health and Wellness Promotion: Focuses on designing and implementing wellness programs, behavior change strategies, health promotion, and community or population-level physical activity initiatives. Prepares you to work in wellness, preventive health, corporate fitness, or community health settings.
• Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription: Teaches students how to assess fitness, body composition, movement, strength, cardiovascular fitness, and flexibility; interpret assessment data; and design individualized exercise or wellness plans based on client needs, goals, and health status.
• Practicum / Internship in Exercise and Movement Science: Provides more than 300 hours of supervised clinical or applied experience, allowing you to work with individuals of various ages and health status, conduct assessments, lead wellness or exercise programs, and gain real-world experience in clinics, gyms, community health organizations, sports performance centers, or wellness facilities.

Practical Experience

Missouri State University ensures that applied experience is a required component of the degree. Students complete more than 300 contact hours through internships, field placements, or practicum courses. Placements span clinical settings, wellness centers, corporate fitness programs, community health organizations, rehabilitation or physiotherapy clinics, sports performance facilities, or strength and conditioning centers.

During these placements you learn to assess clients’ physiological and biomechanical status, plan and deliver exercise or wellness programs, monitor progress, adapt programming for special populations, and communicate professionally with clients and health care providers. This experiential training helps bridge classroom knowledge and real-world application.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and movement science as it relates to exercise, health, and functional capacity across the lifespan.
• Perform valid and reliable fitness, movement, and health assessments including cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, body composition, and functional movement using standardized protocols and tools.
• Interpret physiological and biomechanical data and apply evidence-based principles to design individualized exercise, wellness, or rehabilitation programs tailored to client needs, health status, and goals.
• Incorporate nutritional, behavioral, and wellness-promotion strategies into exercise planning for health, performance, and rehabilitation contexts.
• Communicate professionally and ethically with clients, patients, athletes, interdisciplinary teams, and community stakeholders about assessments, program plans, and outcomes.
• Adapt exercise and wellness programs for diverse and special populations, considering age, health conditions, and performance goals – promoting inclusion and safety.
• Demonstrate readiness for entry-level roles in fitness, wellness, corporate or community health, strength and conditioning, clinical support, or for further study in allied health, rehabilitation, or performance science.
• Apply critical thinking and research literacy to evaluate scientific literature, track progress, monitor outcomes, and inform best practices in exercise science and health promotion.

Career Preparation & Outcomes

Graduates of the Exercise and Movement Science program at Missouri State University are prepared for roles in wellness and fitness centers, corporate and community wellness programs, strength and conditioning, health promotion, rehabilitation support, clinical exercise settings, or as exercise specialists and wellness coaches. The program’s structure also meets prerequisites for graduate study in fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, athletic training, public health, or exercise physiology.

The program’s emphasis on over 300 hours of clinical and practical experience, along with access to dedicated labs and professional resources, gives you applied skills and exposure that help with certification readiness and employer confidence.

Missouri State University reports a six year undergraduate graduation rate of about 48%, which gives insight into overall completion outcomes under institutional conditions.

Admissions Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent with completion of college preparatory coursework including mathematics, science, English, and social studies to meet general admissions standards.
• Submission of a completed undergraduate application to Missouri State University, with official high school transcripts and any required application fee.
• Successful completion of required general education and foundational science prerequisites (biology, chemistry/physics, mathematics) before or during the early semesters.
• For progression in the major, a combined Missouri State and transfer GPA of at least 2.50 and a grade of C or better in all kinesiology (KIN) courses.
• Consent to complete required practical experience and supervised field placements or internships as part of the degree.
• For transfer students, submission of all prior college transcripts for evaluation to ensure prerequisites and general education requirements are met.

Application Deadlines

Missouri State University follows typical undergraduate admissions cycles for fall and spring entry. Admissions and course advising are recommended early because of sequencing of general education, science prerequisites, and major courses.

Southeast Missouri State University

Bachelor of Science in Health Management – Exercise Science Option

The Health Management – Exercise Science option at Southeast Missouri State University is a 120 credit hour bachelor’s degree that prepares you to work in fitness, strength and conditioning, corporate wellness, community health, and clinical exercise settings. Within the 120 total credits, the exercise science option requires about 65 credit hours in the major, and no minor is required, which allows you to focus deeply on applied exercise science and health management content.

From the beginning of the program you build a solid foundation in human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, mathematics, and introductory health management and exercise science. These support courses provide the scientific background needed to understand how the body responds to physical activity, how risk factors are assessed, and how exercise can be used to prevent or manage chronic disease.

As you progress, core courses move into exercise physiology, kinesiology, strength and conditioning, sport and exercise pharmacology, fitness assessment, and programming for special populations. The option is intentionally aligned with competencies recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine so that your coursework matches expectations for national certifications and professional practice.

Health management content is integrated throughout the curriculum so you learn not only how the body works, but also how to run programs, manage facilities, and lead teams in fitness and wellness environments. Courses in research methods, health perspectives, lifestyle disease risk reduction, and fitness facility administration help you understand operations, outcomes, and leadership in health oriented organizations.

Another hallmark of the program is its strong applied focus. You complete a practicum, multiple applied courses, and a 12 credit field experience that together provide several hundred hours of real world exposure. These experiences help you practice working with clients of different ages and health status, while receiving mentorship from professionals in the field.

By the time you finish the 120 credit degree, including the 65 hour major core, you will have a blend of scientific knowledge, hands on experience, health management skills, and preparation for entry level roles or graduate study in exercise science and allied health fields.

Courses and Curriculum

The curriculum starts with prerequisite and support courses that build your scientific base. You take Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs, a chemistry course with lab, and a college level mathematics course such as Mathematical Reasoning and Modeling. Alongside these, you complete introductory classes like Health Perspectives and Introduction to Exercise Science or Health Management, which introduce terminology, professional roles, and current issues in the field.

Once you have met the support course requirements, you move into the exercise science core. You study topics such as fitness conditioning, exercise physiology with lab, sport and exercise pharmacology, lifestyle disease risk reduction, concepts of injury management, essentials of strength and conditioning, and kinesiology. Courses are sequenced so that knowledge from anatomy, physiology, and chemistry feeds directly into how you interpret exercise responses and design programs.

In your final semesters, the focus shifts to advanced application and professional preparation. You take courses in fitness assessment, exercise leadership, fitness facility administration, and exercise programming for special populations, as well as a nutrition course that supports your work with clients. The program culminates in a substantial field experience where you work in an approved site under supervision. This capstone integrates everything you have learned and helps you transition into the workforce or graduate education.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

• FN235 – Nutrition for Health: Introduces principles of human nutrition and examines how food choices affect health, body composition, performance, and chronic disease risk. You learn to apply basic nutrition concepts when giving general guidance to physically active individuals and wellness clients.
• HL111 – Introduction to Exercise Science: Provides an overview of the exercise science profession, including career paths, professional organizations, scope of practice, and ethical considerations. The course also introduces key concepts you will encounter in later classes, such as energy systems, training principles, and risk stratification.
• HL231 – Fitness Conditioning: Focuses on principles of cardiorespiratory, muscular, and flexibility training. You explore program design variables, progression strategies, and practical methods for improving fitness in a variety of populations, while gaining experience leading and evaluating conditioning sessions.
• HL331 – Exercise Physiology (with Lab): Examines acute responses and chronic adaptations of cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, and neuromuscular systems to exercise. The lab component gives you experience measuring variables such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption, and work output, and interpreting data for health and performance.
• HL345 – Essentials of Strength and Conditioning: Covers resistance training theory, exercise technique, periodization models, and program design for athletes and general fitness clients. Emphasis is placed on safety, spotting, progression, and integrating strength and conditioning into overall performance or wellness plans.
• HL431 – Fitness Assessment: Teaches standardized protocols for assessing aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, body composition, and functional movement. You learn to select appropriate tests, administer them correctly, interpret results, and communicate findings to clients.
• HL471 – Fitness Facility Administration: Introduces management concepts relevant to fitness centers and wellness programs, including budgeting, staffing, risk management, marketing, equipment selection, and policy development. This course helps you understand how to operate and lead health and fitness facilities.
• HL498 – Field Experience: A capstone, 12 credit internship where you complete an extended supervised placement in a setting such as a wellness center, hospital based program, corporate fitness facility, strength and conditioning center, or community health organization. You practice assessment, program design, leadership, and professional communication in real conditions.

Popular Elective Courses

• FN255 – Nutrition for the Health Professions
• FN355 – Nutrition for the Physically Active
• FN370 – Sports Nutrition
• FN401 – Community Nutrition
• HL320 – Health Behavior and Promotion
• HL350 – Worksite Health and Wellness

Practical Experience

Applied learning is a central focus of the Health Management – Exercise Science option. Early on, you take a practicum course where you begin gaining contact hours with real participants under supervision. You might assist with group exercise, basic fitness instruction, or simple assessments while observing how professionals interact with clients in different settings.

As you advance, lab courses in exercise physiology, essentials of strength and conditioning, kinesiology, and fitness assessment give you time in performance and assessment spaces using equipment such as treadmills, cycle ergometers, heart rate monitors, blood pressure devices, and body composition tools. These labs help you become comfortable with testing procedures, safety considerations, data collection, and interpretation.

The required HL498 Field Experience is the capstone of your practical training. Over this extended internship you log substantial contact hours working directly with clients or patients. Depending on your placement, you may design exercise programs, lead group sessions, conduct assessments, implement health promotion activities, and collaborate with multidisciplinary staff. This experience bridges classroom learning and professional practice and often leads to strong references or job opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

• Explain how anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical principles relate to exercise, physical fitness, and functional movement across the lifespan.
• Conduct safe and valid assessments of health, fitness, and performance, including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, flexibility, body composition, and functional movement.
• Interpret assessment results and use evidence based guidelines to design individualized exercise and health management programs for healthy individuals and for people with common risk factors or stable chronic conditions.
• Apply knowledge of nutrition, behavior change, and lifestyle modification to support improvements in health, performance, and disease risk reduction.
• Demonstrate effective leadership and communication skills when instructing exercise, providing feedback, educating clients, and collaborating with other professionals.
• Recognize risk factors, contraindications, and safety considerations in exercise settings, and apply appropriate screening, monitoring, and emergency procedures.
• Utilize principles of facility administration, program planning, and evaluation to support effective operation of fitness and wellness programs.
• Exhibit professional and ethical behavior consistent with the expectations of health and fitness organizations and national certification bodies.

Career Preparation & Outcomes

The Health Management – Exercise Science option prepares you for a variety of entry level roles in health and fitness centers, strength and conditioning facilities, hospital based wellness programs, cardiac rehabilitation support, corporate wellness, community health organizations, and personal training. The curriculum is aligned with knowledge and skills recommended by leading professional organizations, which supports preparation for certifications in personal training, group exercise, or strength and conditioning.

The pre professional nature of the coursework, especially in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and advanced exercise science, also makes this program a strong starting point if you plan to pursue graduate study in fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, physician assistant studies, exercise physiology, or nutrition and exercise science. Advisors can help you select electives that align with specific graduate program prerequisites.

Southeast Missouri State University reports a six year graduation rate of about 61%, which reflects increased student success and continuous institutional support. When combined with the program’s extensive field experience requirement, this environment can give you both the academic preparation and applied practice needed to move confidently into the job market or advanced study.

Admissions Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent that meets Southeast Missouri State University admission standards, including college preparatory coursework in English, mathematics, science, and social studies.
• Submission of an application for undergraduate admission, along with official high school transcripts and any required standardized test scores if applicable under current policies.
• Completion of prerequisite support courses such as Anatomy and Physiology I and II, basic chemistry with lab, and a college level mathematics course with a grade of C or better before enrolling in upper level major courses.
• Ability to participate in practicum and internship placements, which may include meeting site specific health, background, or training requirements.
• For transfer students, submission of official transcripts from all previous colleges so that prior coursework can be evaluated and applied toward general education and major requirements where appropriate.

Application Deadlines

Southeast Missouri State University admits students for fall, spring, and often summer terms. Because some exercise science courses and labs follow specific sequencing, applying well before the intended start term helps you register for the correct classes and plan for practicum and field experience.

Lindenwood University

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Lindenwood University is a science-based 120-credit degree built around a 72-73 credit major core. The program is offered by the Department of Kinesiology within the College of Science, Technology, and Health. It is structured to cover human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, movement science, and applied exercise prescription for healthy and special populations.

From early semesters students progress through foundational coursework in biology, chemistry (or equivalent), statistics, anatomy and physiology, and introductory movement science. This establishes a strong scientific basis for advanced study in exercise physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, and exercise program design.

As you move into upper-division coursework, core classes like Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Exercise Testing and Prescription, and Nutrition Throughout the Lifecycle deepen your understanding of how the body responds to exercise, adapts over time, and how to implement safe and effective training or rehabilitation programs.

The program also emphasizes real-world application through required practicum and internship opportunities. Students gain hands-on experience in fitness centers, strength & conditioning facilities, corporate wellness, clinical settings, or community health organizations. These practicums help bridge classroom theory with actual professional practice.

The curriculum allows flexibility with electives and optional research or administrative course work. Whether your aim is strength and conditioning, personal training, health promotion, clinical exercise, or preparation for graduate-level allied health education, the structure supports a variety of career paths.

By the time you complete all general education, major core, electives, and experiential requirements, you will have a well-rounded scientific, practical, and behavioral understanding of exercise science – positioning you for entry-level roles or further specialized study.

Courses and Curriculum

The program begins with foundational science and general education courses, including human anatomy and physiology I and II (with labs), basic biology or cellular biology, chemistry or chemical concepts, mathematics or statistics, and introductory psychology. These courses ensure you have a robust understanding of the biological and physiological underpinnings of exercise and human movement. Students also take a lower-division course such as “Foundations of Sport and Exercise Science” that introduces the scope and history of the field, its sub-disciplines, professional roles, and research fundamentals.

Once prerequisites are completed, you enter the heart of the exercise science major. Core courses include Exercise Physiology (lecture and lab), Advanced Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Exercise Testing (with lab), Exercise Prescription and Implementation, Physical Activity for Special Populations, and Nutrition throughout the Lifecycle. These courses combine lecture, lab, and applied learning to teach you how to assess fitness, movement, and health, interpret physiological and biomechanical data, and design training or wellness programs tailored to client needs.

In final semesters you complete experiential learning through practicum and internship courses (or optionally independent research), plus elective courses that support specialization – such as facility administration, sport and fitness management, or additional health sciences electives. This allows you to gain real-world experience and prepare for employment or further graduate-level study.

• Human Anatomy & Physiology I + II (with Labs): Covers musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and related body systems. Lab sessions reinforce structural and functional understanding necessary for movement, exercise, and health science applications.
• Exercise Physiology: Explores acute and chronic responses of the body to exercise – cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, neuromuscular systems – helping you understand how training or rehabilitation affects health, performance, and adaptation.
• Advanced Exercise Physiology: Builds on basic physiology to examine complex interactions among systems during training, recovery, adaptation, and performance enhancement. Emphasis on evidence-based practice and scientific reasoning for program design.
• Biomechanics of Human Movement: Applies mechanical and anatomical principles to analyze human movement. Topics include joint mechanics, force production, leverage, movement efficiency, gait, posture, and their relevance to performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.
• Exercise Testing and Exercise Testing Lab: Teaches standardized assessment protocols for aerobic capacity, strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, body composition, and functional movement. Students learn test administration, data collection, interpretation, and use results to guide exercise prescription.
• Exercise Prescription and Implementation: Focuses on designing and implementing individualized exercise and wellness programs for healthy individuals, athletes, older adults, and special populations. Teaches progression, monitoring, periodization, safety, and adaptation strategies.
• Nutrition Throughout the Lifecycle: Covers nutritional concepts across lifespan, energy balance, macronutrients, hydration, recovery, and how dietary habits interact with exercise, performance, health, body composition, and rehabilitation.
• Physical Activity for Specific Populations: Examines exercise design and health promotion for populations with special needs, chronic disease, age related changes, or rehabilitative requirements. Teaches modifications, risk assessment, and safe programming for diverse clients.

Practical Experience

Students in the Exercise Science program at Lindenwood University complete at least 300 hours of supervised practicum and internship experience – equivalent to 6 credit hours – before graduation. Placements may include strength and conditioning centers, athletic performance facilities, corporate or community wellness centers, personal training gyms, rehabilitation clinics, or senior fitness settings. This hands-on requirement ensures that every student graduates with real-world experience and a professional portfolio.

Additionally, the program encourages independent research and participation in the university’s Exercise Performance Nutrition Laboratory. Students may assist in ongoing projects, collect data, design exercise or nutrition interventions, and gain exposure to research methodology, scientific writing, and critical thinking – valuable skills whether entering the workforce or continuing to graduate-level study.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical knowledge to assess and understand human movement, exercise responses, and health-related fitness across different populations.
• Perform valid and reliable fitness, movement, and health assessments – including cardiovascular, metabolic, strength, flexibility, and body composition testing – using appropriate lab and field protocols.
• Design evidence-based exercise and wellness programs tailored to client needs, goals, and health or performance status for healthy individuals and special populations.
• Integrate nutrition and lifestyle knowledge into exercise prescriptions to support performance, recovery, rehabilitation, and long-term health outcomes.
• Interpret and critique scientific research in exercise, health, and human movement, and apply findings to program design, wellness planning, or further study.
• Demonstrate professional, ethical, and culturally sensitive communication when working with clients, patients, teammates, or interdisciplinary health professionals.
• Show readiness for entry-level roles in fitness, wellness, strength and conditioning, corporate or community health, clinical exercise, or for graduate and allied health professional programs.
• Use technology and modern assessment tools confidently for movement analysis, fitness testing, data collection, and program monitoring in applied settings.

Career Preparation & Outcomes

Graduates from Lindenwood University’s BS in Exercise Science often enter roles such as personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, wellness coordinator, corporate or community wellness specialist, exercise specialist in rehabilitation or cardiac rehab settings, group fitness leader, or fitness facility administrator.

Others pursue graduate or professional paths such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, chiropractic, exercise physiology, athletic training, or sport performance science. The program’s broad scope supports many potential tracks in fitness, health, performance, rehabilitation, and allied health.

The required 300-hour practicum/internship, optional independent research opportunities, and coursework recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Recognized Program for Strength and Conditioning provide strong preparation for certification, professional readiness, and employability in competitive health and fitness environments. The university reports a six-year graduation rate of about 50%, indicating institutional support for degree completion and a foundation for career or further education.

Admissions Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent with a college preparatory curriculum including mathematics, science (biology or chemistry), English, and social studies or humanities.
• Submission of a completed undergraduate application to Lindenwood University with official high school transcripts and required application materials or fee.
• Completion of foundational courses required for the major (biology, chemistry or equivalent, mathematics/statistics) with satisfactory grades before enrolling in major core coursework.
• For progression in the Exercise Science major, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA and meet the department’s grade standards in prerequisite and core courses (typically C or better for prerequisites and major courses).
• Be within 12 credit hours of graduation before enrolling in internship-level courses, and complete any required pre-internship course (e.g. Exercise Prescription) prior to internship or practicum enrollment.
• For transfer students, submission of all prior college transcripts for evaluation and satisfaction of general education and prerequisite requirements as per university transfer policy.

Application Deadlines

Lindenwood University accepts undergraduate applications on a rolling basis. Because required science, core, and practicum courses may have limited capacity and sequencing constraints, it is recommended to apply early to ensure access to labs, internships, and timely graduation.

Northwest Missouri State University

Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science – Exercise Science

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science – Exercise Science at Northwest Missouri State University is a comprehensive, no-minor-required program designed for students who want a focused pathway in exercise science, health, wellness, and sports performance. The program follows a 120 credit, four year structure built around a clearly sequenced eight term plan for the Exercise Science track, with major coursework concentrated in the School of Health Science and Wellness.

From the first year you take university seminar, composition, general biology with lab, general chemistry with lab, a wellness course, and introductory health science classes. This early combination of science, writing, and foundational health content gives you the background needed to understand later material in physiology, biomechanics, and health promotion while helping you adjust to university level study.

By the second year you are into key major prerequisites such as anatomy and physiology (either a combined course or allied health anatomy with lab), statistics, introductory psychology and sociology, and your first dedicated exercise physiology course. These classes build a solid framework for analyzing how physical activity affects different body systems and how to interpret basic health and fitness data.

As you move into the middle of the degree, the curriculum shifts toward applications in exercise and movement science. You study sport and exercise nutrition, basic biomechanics, community health, adapted physical education or motor development, and biomedical ethics. This stage brings together scientific content, human behavior, ethics, and community perspectives, preparing you for work with diverse clients and populations.

In your final two years, the program emphasizes advanced application and professional preparation. Courses such as care and prevention of athletic injuries, mechanical analysis of sport, evidence based practice in health science and wellness, advanced strength and conditioning, health promotion, human pathophysiology, and health behavior change help you refine expertise in assessment, program design, leadership, and critical appraisal of research.

The Exercise Science track culminates in a profession based experience course that functions as an internship, along with a senior seminar and additional electives. By the time you graduate you will have completed a structured 120 credit program, including substantial profession based hours, that prepares you for immediate work in health and fitness fields or for graduate study in allied health disciplines such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, sports medicine, or exercise physiology.

Courses and Curriculum

The first year of the degree introduces you to college learning and core sciences. You take University Seminar, General Biology and Lab, General Chemistry and Lab, Composition I and II, a wellness course, oral communication, and an introductory health science and wellness course. These subjects develop your scientific literacy, written and oral communication skills, and basic understanding of health and wellness.

In the second year you complete Anatomy and Physiology or Allied Health Anatomy with lab, General Statistics, introductory psychology and sociology, nutrition and diet behavior, sport and exercise nutrition, and basic biomechanics. This combination gives you a strong grasp of human structure and function, statistics relevant to health data, and the mechanical basis of movement. Many of these courses require minimum grades for graduation, underscoring their importance in the major.

Years three and four focus on higher level professional and scientific content. You study community health, care and prevention of athletic injuries, mechanical analysis of sport, evidence based practice in health science and wellness, health promotion, senior seminar, advanced strength and conditioning, human pathophysiology, interventions for health behavior change, exercise testing and prescription, and a profession based experience. Along the way you complete history, humanities, and elective requirements that round out the 120 credit bachelor’s degree.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

• 22-223 Introduction to Health Science & Wellness: Provides an overview of the health science and wellness fields, introduces key concepts in health promotion, behavior change, and wellness programming, and helps you understand professional roles and expectations in health, fitness, and allied health settings.
• 22-254 Anatomy and Physiology: Covers structural and functional aspects of major body systems, including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems, with a focus on their relevance to physical activity, exercise, injury, and rehabilitation. A minimum grade is required for graduation, highlighting its central role in later coursework.
• 22-332 Physiology of Exercise: Examines how the body responds acutely to exercise and adapts chronically to training. Topics include energy systems, cardiovascular and respiratory responses, neuromuscular adaptation, fatigue, and recovery, building a foundation for advanced training and testing courses.
• 22-336 Basic Biomechanics: Introduces mechanical principles of human movement such as force, torque, levers, and motion analysis. You learn to apply biomechanical concepts to analyze technique, improve performance, and reduce injury risk, and this course serves as a prerequisite for more advanced mechanical analysis work.
• 22-382 Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries: Focuses on recognizing common sports and activity related injuries, understanding basic injury mechanisms, and learning foundational strategies for immediate care, risk management, taping, bracing, and referral. This course is especially valuable if you plan to work in athletic, coaching, or rehabilitative environments.
• 22-536 Mechanical Analysis of Sport: Builds on biomechanics to analyze sport skills and high level movement tasks. You examine segmental motion, joint loading, and force production in specific sports, using mechanical principles to improve technique, efficiency, and safety in athletic performance.
• 22-529 Advanced Strength and Conditioning: Expands your understanding of resistance training and performance programming. You learn advanced periodization, speed and agility development, power training, recovery strategies, and program evaluation for athletes and active populations, preparing you for roles in performance settings and for national strength and conditioning certifications.
• 22-532 Exercise Testing and Prescription: Serves as a capstone methods course in which you apply exercise physiology and assessment skills. You conduct tests of aerobic capacity, muscular fitness, flexibility, and body composition, interpret results, and design individualized exercise prescriptions that address health status, risk factors, and performance goals.

Practical Experience

Northwest Missouri State University integrates profession based experience directly into the Applied Health Science – Exercise Science track. Throughout your progression you complete laboratory courses and applied classes that develop technical skills in exercise testing, biomechanics, nutrition, and injury care, using tools such as metabolic carts, heart rate and blood pressure monitors, and movement analysis methods.

The required 22-470 Profession Based Experience course provides a structured internship in a setting such as a fitness center, cardiac rehabilitation or clinical exercise program, corporate wellness site, community health agency, or sports performance facility. Depending on how many credits you take, this course can involve a significant number of supervised hours where you conduct assessments, design and lead exercise sessions, assist with health promotion activities, and collaborate with allied health professionals.

Additional experiential learning happens through volunteer opportunities and campus facilities like the Robert and Virginia Foster Fitness Center and the Mozingo Outdoor Recreation Area. These settings provide spaces for students to gain experience in facility operations, programming, outdoor and adventure based activities, youth programs, and community initiatives linked to health and wellness.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate understanding of the structure and function of human body systems and explain how they respond and adapt to physical activity, exercise, and training across the lifespan.
• Conduct valid and reliable assessments of health and fitness, including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, body composition, and functional movement, using appropriate protocols and equipment.
• Interpret physiological, biomechanical, and behavioral data and apply evidence based guidelines to design individualized exercise and wellness programs for healthy individuals and those with controlled risk factors or chronic conditions.
• Apply principles of biomechanics and mechanical analysis to evaluate movement and sport skills, improve performance, and help minimize risk of injury in recreation, sport, and work settings.
• Integrate knowledge of nutrition, health behavior, lifestyle modification, and community health into exercise and wellness programming to support disease prevention and long term behavior change.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with clients, athletes, patients, and interdisciplinary health teams, demonstrating ethical practice, cultural sensitivity, and respect for diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Use research literacy and critical thinking to evaluate scientific literature in exercise science and related fields and translate findings into practical strategies for assessment, training, and health promotion.
• Demonstrate professional readiness for entry level roles in fitness, wellness, strength and conditioning, health promotion, or clinical exercise support, and for further study in allied health or graduate exercise science programs.

Career Preparation & Outcomes

Graduates of the Applied Health Science – Exercise Science program at Northwest Missouri State University are prepared for careers such as exercise specialist, personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, wellness coordinator, corporate wellness specialist, health coach, community health educator, or support staff in clinical or cardiac rehabilitation programs.

The curriculum’s emphasis on anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, behavior change, and extensive profession based experience provides a strong base for certifications and immediate employment in health and fitness settings.

The program is also designed as a solid pre professional pathway for graduate study in fields like physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, athletic training, sports medicine, and exercise physiology. Courses in pathophysiology, evidence based practice, advanced strength and conditioning, and exercise testing and prescription help you meet common prerequisites while building the analytical and clinical reasoning skills valued by graduate programs and professional schools. :

Northwest Missouri State University reports a six year graduation rate of about 57.5%, placing it high among its peer institutions and reflecting strong support for student success and degree completion. Combined with profession based experience requirements and high rates of employment or continued education after graduation, this environment supports positive career and further study outcomes for exercise science students. :

Admissions Requirements

• Completion of a high school diploma or equivalent that meets Northwest Missouri State University general admission standards, including college preparatory coursework in English, mathematics, science, and social studies.
• Submission of an application for undergraduate admission, along with official high school transcripts and any required standardized test scores or placement documentation, following current Northwest admissions policies.
• Placement into, and successful completion of, foundational courses such as general biology with lab, general chemistry with lab, anatomy and physiology or allied health anatomy with lab, and general statistics, typically with minimum grade requirements for courses identified as milestones in the four year plan.
• For transfer students, submission of official transcripts from all previous colleges so that prior coursework can be evaluated against general education and applied health science requirements, including biology, chemistry, anatomy, and statistics. Transfer guides are available to outline recommended pathways.

Application Deadlines

Northwest Missouri State University follows standard undergraduate application cycles with intakes typically available for the fall and spring semesters. While applications may be considered on a rolling basis, applying early improves access to advising, housing, scholarships, and course scheduling, especially for sequenced science and exercise science classes.

Prospective students should check the current deadlines, priority dates, and specific requirements for first year and transfer applicants on the Northwest Missouri State University admissions website and plan to submit all materials well in advance of their intended start term.