Exercise Science B.S.

Outcomes

A Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science provides graduates with a wide array of career opportunities in the health and fitness industry. Graduates can pursue roles such as exercise physiologists, designing and implementing tailored exercise programs for individuals with diverse health goals or conditions. 

They may also work as personal trainers, guiding clients through workouts and offering nutritional advice. Additionally, opportunities exist as fitness instructors, strength and conditioning coaches or cardiac rehabilitation specialists. Other potential career paths include roles in sports performance enhancement, corporate wellness programs or health promotion.

Career Outlook

  • Average Salary: $46,569
  • Job Postings: 453

Average salary is based on a fitness instructor position from Salary.com. Job posting data is for fitness instructor positions and is provided by Lightcast. This number represents unique job postings from companies looking to hire in the last 30 days as of May 2024.

Courses

Required Core Courses

Complete the following courses. Alternatives for the following courses: EXS340 or PSY340, BIO314 or EXS280 or BIO315.

EXS225

Anatomical Kinesiology

(2.0 s.h)

EXS280

Anatomy and Physiology for the Exercise Professional

(4.0 s.h)

EXS325

Biomechanics

(3.0 s.h)

EXS210

Care & Prevention Of Injuries

(2.0 s.h)

EXS310

Exercise Physiology

(4.0 s.h)

EXS400

Exercise Prescription I

(3.0 s.h)
Loading

Exercise Science Track Options

Exercise Science students must choose a Health and Performance, Community Health or Pre-Professional track as part of their degree. In addition to the University's liberal arts core, Exercise Science students must complete the following courses with a "C-" grade or better.

Health and Performance Track

Required Track Core Courses

Complete the following courses.

EXS326

Anaerobic Conditioning

(3.0 s.h)

EXS410

Exer Prescr II:Special Popultns

(3.0 s.h)

EXS305

Facilities & Programs

(3.0 s.h)

Elective(s) For Track

Complete 9 s.h. from the following.

100-level or above Physics courses.

200-level or above courses in Exercise Science, Psychology, Chemistry or Biology.

Alternatives for the following courses: PSY233 or SOC233, SOC302 or SWK302.

PSY305

Abnormal Psychology

(3.0 s.h)

ACC225

Accounting I

(3.0 s.h)

PSY412

Adolescent Psychology

(3.0 s.h)

PSY413

Adult Development & Aging

(3.0 s.h)

EXS420

Advanced Exercise Physiology

(3.0 s.h)

CHE403

Advanced Topics

(3.0 s.h)
Loading

Community Health Track

Required Track Core

Complete the following courses. Alternatives for the following courses: PSY233 or SOC233 or MAT233, PSY250 or SOC250, PSY306 or SOC306.

PSY211

Human Development

(3.0 s.h)

PSY250

Methods of Research

(3.0 s.h)

SOC250

Methods of Research

(3.0 s.h)

PSY422

Motivation and Emotion

(3.0 s.h)

SOC202

Social Problems

(3.0 s.h)

PSY306

Social Psychology

(3.0 s.h)
Loading

Health Admin Requirement

Complete a minimum of 3 s.h. in Health Administration.

HAD300

Basic Health System

(3.0 s.h)

HAD203

Critical Thinking and Decision Making

(1.0 s.h)

HAD214

Ethics of Healthcare Technology

(1.0 s.h)

HAD211

Gerontology

(1.0 s.h)

HAD215

Global Systems

(1.0 s.h)

HAD400

Health Finance and Managerial Economics

(3.0 s.h)
Loading

The following courses are recommended, but not required.

PSY305

Abnormal Psychology

(3.0 s.h)

SWK201

Addiction and Recovery

(3.0 s.h)

PSY407

Counseling

(3.0 s.h)

PSY405

Experimental Psychology

(3.0 s.h)

SOC301

Family

(3.0 s.h)

PSY341

Learning and Behavior

(3.0 s.h)
Loading

Pre-Professional Track

Required Track Core

Complete the following courses. Alternatives for the following courses: CHE111 or CHE121, CHE112 or CHE122, PHY101 or BIO302, MAT233 or PSY233.

BIO302

Biology of Microorganisms

(4.0 s.h)

CHE111

General Chemistry I

(4.0 s.h)

CHE112

General Chemistry II

(4.0 s.h)

CHE122

Intro to Organic & Biochemistry

(4.0 s.h)

CHE121

Introduction to Chemistry

(4.0 s.h)

PHY101

Introductory College Physics

(4.0 s.h)
Loading

Elective(s) for Track

Complete two of the following courses.

PSY305

Abnormal Psychology

(3.0 s.h)

SWK201

Addiction and Recovery

(3.0 s.h)

BIO490

Advanced Topics/Biology

(3.0 s.h)

CHE305

Biochemistry

(4.0 s.h)

PSY408

Biological Psychology

(3.0 s.h)

BIO302

Biology of Microorganisms

(4.0 s.h)
Loading

Visit Campus

The best way to get to know USF is through a visit! Take a virtual tour or sign up for an in-person visit to understand what it's like to be a University of Sioux Falls student.

Visit Options
A group of six young adults, dressed casually, walks outside on a sunny day. They laugh and chat amongst themselves. Trees with sparse autumn leaves and campus buildings are visible in the background.