Pursue a Path as an Exceptional Health and Fitness Professional
If you love fitness and have a passion for helping others improve their health and athletic performance, IUP’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science/Exercise Science is the degree that will prepare you for a fulfilling career in this field.
Prepare to be a Force for Change
Achieving and maintaining good health and well-being through exercise has become a priority for active and health-conscious people. Our BS in Exercise Science prepares you for working in this job market— one of the fastest growing in the country.
As a student, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge to:
- Pursue advanced degrees and certifications in health and fitness organizations, including certifications from The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
- Qualify for a variety of entry-level career opportunities in the health, fitness, and sports industries.
- Work in settings that focus on exercise, fitness, health, and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Imagine Your Future
IUP’s BS in Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science/Exercise Science program is the first step toward building career options in personal training, strength conditioning and coaching, corporate and community fitness, wellness coaching, and cardiac rehabilitation. After you graduate, you may also choose to continue your education and professional possibilities through postgraduate programs in physical and occupational therapy, chiropractic medicine, physician assistant and doctoral degrees, and other allied health profession study.
The demand for exercise science practitioners has been increasing, and the job prospects for professionals in the field are promising. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the need for fitness trainers, exercise physiologists, coaches, and other exercise science professionals will grow from 13 percent to 39 percent between 2020 and 2030—rates much higher than average for other professions.
Industries Looking for You
Exercise science professionals find challenging and fulfilling positions in a variety of settings:
- Cardiac rehabilitation clinics
- Collegiate and professional sports teams
- Fitness facilities
- Hospitals
- Physical therapy facilities
- Wellness centers
- Fitness and wellness
- Healthcare
- Corporate wellness
- Sports organizations
- Education
- Research and academia
- Community health organizations
- Recreational services
Similar Occupations
With a BS in Exercise Science from IUP, you’ll be ready for professional jobs, including those in the following areas. You’ll also be prepared for additional training and education in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant graduate programs.
- Cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation
- Community health
- Exercise physiology
- Health coaching
- Personal training
- Recreation and leisure supervision
- Sports and athletic conditioning
- Health promotion
Exercise Physiologists
Median Pay
Number of jobs
10-year job outlook
(Faster growth than average)
Fitness Trainers and Instructors
Median salary
Number of jobs
10-year job outlook
Much faster growth than average
Classes and Requirements
As a student in the BS in Exercise Science program, you'll take coursework in some of the following areas:
- Aging
- Anatomy and physiology
- Exercise physiology
- Exercise prescription
- Health and fitness assessment
- Professional internship
You will also take various courses related to group exercise training and strength and conditioning.
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
Enhance Your Education with an Exercise Science Minor
If you have an interest in fitness and want a more specialized education and better career options, add to your major area of study at IUP with an Exercise Science Minor. At graduation, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to perform basic fitness tests and conduct individual and small group exercise training. You’ll also be qualified to take a variety of national certification exams at the personal trainer level.
Prior to applying for an Exercise Science Minor, students must successfully complete KHSS 221 or BIOL 150 with at least a "C" letter grade and have a minimum 2.5 overall GPA.
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
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Clubs and Activities
Health and physical education/K-12 Teacher Education majors can engage in activities outside of the classroom, deepening their commitment to an area of expertise.
The Exercise Science Club gathers students engaged in this track to support their studies and help them learn about professional trends.
Health and Physical Education Living-Learning Community
The Health and Physical Education Living-Learning Community is ideal for students who live on campus. By sharing the Suites on Maple East with fellow health and physical education majors, you can form friendships and easily collaborate on projects.
James G. Mill Center for Health and Fitness
Here is where you can keep yourself fit. Enjoy the personal and clean atmosphere, work with accommodating staff, and experience the biomechanically-correct equipment.
Per our accreditation (CAAHEP and CoAES), the Department of Allied and Public Health is required to post the following outcomes data on retention, culminating experience, graduation rate, graduate placement, employer satisfaction, and graduate exit survey results.
Academic Year 2022–23 Retention
Twenty-two students enrolled – 9 students returned = 40.9% retention
Academic Year 2022–23 Graduation Rates
Sixty-two students graduated – Unable to report percentage.
Academic Year 2022–23 Graduate Placement
67.8 percent of students who graduated in 2022–23 were employed.
Employment satisfaction
No report
Graduate Satisfaction Report
Thirty-three surveys returned with satisfactory response. A satisfactory response is when a survey has 75 percent or more responses of 3 or better. The satisfaction rate for 2022–23 was 100 percent.
National Credentialing Exam
Academic Year 2022–23
Twenty-four students sat for the ACSM-EP Exam = 14 students passed = 58.3% pass rate
Culminating Experience
Final experience which is met by students participating in an internship experience.
Academic Year 2022–23
Sixty students participated in an internship experience = 59 students passed the internship experience = 98.3% pass rate
Early Admission to Graduate School
Students who pursue a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science at IUP are eligible to apply as an early admit for the Exercise Science or the Strength and Conditioning master's programs. Students can apply in their junior year and take 12 graduate credits to get an early start on their graduate degree.
