Skip to main content

Exercise Science Major

Format: In person on the Statesboro Campus
Credit Hours: 124

Georgia Southern University’s Exercise Science BSK focuses on the study of how exercise relates to the body anatomically, biomechanically, neurologically, physiologically and psychologically.

Complete your degree in as little as 4 years in one of five concentrations!

The Exercise Science program prepares you for employment in fitness centers, research laboratories or as an exercise technician in a cardiac rehabilitation center. Our curriculum provides an excellent foundation for students who are interested in pursuing graduate degrees in movement-based fields as well as for those students who wish to pursue a professional degree in medicine or in the rehabilitation sciences, such as physical or occupational therapy.

Exercise Science Careers

Exercise Science BSK career opportunities can include:

  • Performing fitness evaluations and exercise prescriptions in private or corporate fitness centers
  • Working in industrial fitness settings
  • Assisting with cardiac rehabilitation in hospitals
  • Working as a strength and conditioning (CSCS) assistant with athletic populations
  • Serving as tactical strength and conditioning assistant with the military, local law enforcement and related agencies.

Ready to Apply?

Loading…

Or, you can:

Concentrations

Allied Health and Graduate School

The allied health and graduate school concentration will prepare students to apply for graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, physician’s assistant, medical school or kinesiology.

Inclusive Physical Activity

The inclusive physical activity concentration will prepare students to prescribe safe and effective programming for individuals with disabilities and provide motivational support to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Students will be prepared to work in community and public health settings to improve access to exercise for all individuals as they gain a working knowledge of the American Disability Act (ADA) and policies specific to accessibility.

Certifications:
ACSM/NCPAD – Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer (CIFT)

Fitness and Wellness Management

The fitness and wellness management concentration prepare students for personal trainer, group fitness instructor and wellness coach/health coach certifications. Students will learn to prescribe fitness for both individuals and groups in multiple platforms, to develop and provide exercise programming for facilities and individuals as well as fitness testing and behavior modification counseling within the commercial and corporate fitness industries.

Certifications:
ACSM – Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
ACSM – Group Exercise Instructor (GFI)

Sport Performance

The sport performance concentration prepares students for the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s certification test (CSCS) or USA Weightlifting’s Sport Performance certification, leading to careers designing strength and conditioning programs for athletes in team settings.

Certifications:
NSCA – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
ASEP – Coaching Principles Certified
ASEP – Sport First Aid Certified

Tactical Strength and Conditioning

The tactical strength and conditioning concentration prepares students to work with members of police, fire, SWAT or military organizations in the areas of strength and conditioning.

Certifications:
NSCA – Tactical Strength and Conditioning (TSAC)

Interested in a minor in Exercise Science?

The Exercise Science minor is open to any student interested in exercise science.

Want more information? Contact us!

Justine Coleman
Telephone: 912-478-0775
Email: jbcoleman@georgiasouthern.edu

Becca Collins
Telephone: 912-478-2543
Email: rriggs@georgiasouthern.edu

Professional License Disclosure

The Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology anticipates that graduates of this program will seek the following professional certification by American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as a Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP) plus additional certification based on the concentration areas:  Inclusive Physical Activity Concentration: ACSM/NCPAD – Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer (CIFT); Fitness and Wellness Management Concentration: ACSM – Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), and ACSM Group Fitness Instructor; Sport Performance Concentration:  NSCA – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), USA Weightlifting – Sport Performance Certification, ASEP – Coaching Principles Certified, and or ASEP – Sport First Aid Certified; and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Concentration: NSCA – Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F).

For required disclosures on whether this program satisfies the license requirements of all states and territories, check the requirement of your state or territory for ACSM Exercise Physiologist Certification.

The Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology has determined the required classes and educational activities of this academic program will qualify a graduate of this program to take the exam for the ACSM as a Certified Exercise Physiologist certificate in Georgia. The department has not determined whether this program satisfies the requirements of all states and territories for the ACSM as a Certified Exercise Physiologist certificate. Visit the American College of Sports Medicine to determine the requirements of your state or territory.

Additional required disclosures on whether this program satisfies additional certifications can be found below based on concentration.

Inclusive Physical Activity Concentration

The Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology has not determined whether this program satisfies the license requirements of all states and territories for the ACSM/NCPAD – Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer (CIFT). Visit the American College of Sports Medicine to determine the requirements of your state or territory.

Fitness and Wellness Management Concentration

The Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology has not determined whether this program satisfies the license requirements of all states and territories for the ACSM – Certified Personal Trainer (CPT). Visit the American College of Sports Medicine to determine the requirements of your state or territory.            

The Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology has not determined whether this program satisfies the license requirements of all states and territories for the ACSM Group Exercise Instructor. Visit the American College of Sports Medicine to determine the requirements of your state or territory.  

Sport Performance Concentration 

The Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology has not determined whether this program satisfies the license requirements of all states and territories for the NSCA – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Visit the National Strength and Conditioning Association to determine the requirements for your state or territory.  

The Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology has not determined whether this program satisfies the license requirements of all states and territories for the ASEP – Coaching Principles Certified. Visit the Human Kinetics Coach Education Center to determine the requirements for your state or territory.  

The Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology has not determined whether this program satisfies the license requirements of all states and territories for the ASEP – Sport First Aid Certified. Visit the Human Kinetics Coach Education Center to determine the requirements for your state or territory.  

Tactical Strength and Conditioning Concentration

For required disclosures on whether this program satisfies the license requirements of all states and territories, check The Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology has not determined whether this program satisfies the license requirements of all states and territories for the NSCA – Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F). Visit the National Strength and Conditioning Association to determine the requirements of your state or territory.  

Related Programs

Last updated: 5/18/2023