What Can I Do with a Major in Exercise Science?

The Exercise Science concentration prepares for work in clinical exercise physiology (cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic disease rehab) in a hospital/clinical setting, as well as graduate school allied health programs such as occupational or physical therapy, exercise science or biomedical sciences.  Students gain basic and advanced knowledge of the structure and function of the human body, nutrition and health and clinical exercise physiology.  They also learn about teaching, leadership, organization and administration, and safety and emergency response skills.

Certifications and practical experiences are provided through internship.  Students are strongly encouraged to earn American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification.  Exercise Science majors can minor in Sports Management, Health (Liberal Arts), Coaching, or Biology to enhance career opportunities.  Exercise Science majors can also double major in Physical Education K-12, although student teaching and an internship would be required.

The Health & Human Performance Department houses the Kessler Exercise Physiology Laboratory, a state-of-the-art, multifunctional exercise physiology facility, in which students perform research and practice techniques related to their coursework.  Under the supervision of the Exercise Physiology Lab Director, HHP Exercise Science students also perform fitness assessments for all incoming UW-Superior incoming freshmen and Health & Wellness Center facility members.

The Exercise Science major leads to many health fields such as:

• Clinical Exercise Physiology
• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
• Dietetics/Sports Nutrition
• Medicine
• Physical/Occupational Therapy
• Health & Fitness Educator
• Wellness Director
• Clinical Research Scientist
• Sports Psychology

Work Activities in Exercise Science might be:

• Educate individuals and organizations about exercise and lifestyle modification to control disease
• Study acute and chronic physiological adaptation to physical activity
• Help athletes develop programs to enhance their level of performance
• Conduct exercise programs for health maintenance
• Provide health and fitness evaluation
• Design personalized exercise prescriptions for individuals or groups
• Conduct stress tests in private cardiology clinics and hospitals

Employment Settings

• Hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• Medically supervised fitness centers
• Sports complexes
• School systems
• Public health facilities
• Workplace fitness centers
• Government agencies (Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health)
• Athletic programs
• Country clubs and resorts