Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Our nationally accredited undergraduate program providing hands-on training in exercise science for diverse careers in health, fitness, and clinical settings.

Become prepared for:

Employment in health, exercise, fitness, and wellness settings with the general population, athletes, and clinical populations
Graduate study in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, and other health-related programs
Advanced study in exercise physiology, public health, exercise science, and related fields

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Program Facts

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science

Credits

120 credits minimum

Term of Enrollment

Fall

Application Deadline

April 15 (cut-off date for applications)

Format

In-person

Program Duration

Students begin program after earning a minimum of 60 credits, which typically occurs by junior year

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science (BS) program in Exercise Science offers students rigorous training in the application of exercise science for prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and conditions, human performance, and health and well-being.

This also prepares students for graduate training or additional training in areas of allied health (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, or other allied health opportunities).

National Accreditation

Our BS in Exercise Science degree is fully accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This national accreditation — considered the gold standard in the industry — is based on a rigorous review of our curriculum, faculty, facilities, and more.

Learn Why Accreditation Matters

Student Achievement Data

PERCENTAGE	CATEGORY
100%	Placement Rate (Graduate school, job, or military service)
100%	Clinical Internship Pass Rate
100%	Student Graduation Rate
100%	Student Satisfaction Rate
98.5%	Student Retention Rate
96%	Acceptance rate into Physical Therapy programs
95%	Acceptance rate into non-Physical Therapy programs (e.g. Public Health, Nursing, Prosthetics and Orthotics)

The data was collected from 2024 graduates, which is the most recent class for which data is available.

Undergraduate Pathways to Careers

Our students have many opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed professionally across a wide variety of pathways.

"My professors are encouraging to all, and I really feel a sense of family with my peers. I believe that both the coursework and hands-on field experience has provided me with the knowledge and experience I need to be successful"
Brianna M. Hennigh - Exercise Science student

"The major truly allows you to “test out” multiple careers in the field so that you can better solidify your own path. The major completely opened my mind to a world of different careers in sports, rehabs, hospitals, clinical practices, and many more settings I did not know would be applicable with my degree."
Morgan Aichcer - Exercise Science student

"I received an excellent education in Exercise Science thus far, and I know I will be well prepared for my future career as a physical therapist after graduating. From being taught by great professors to doing a semester-long internship experience, I am truly grateful to be a part of the Pitt School of Education."
Alexandra Carter - Exercise Science student

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Prerequisites

You must meet several prerequisites to transfer into the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science program:

Minimum GPA of 2.5
Current Official Transcript with a minimum of 60 general education credits earned
Meeting all other University of Pittsburgh and School of Education admission requirements.
It is also preferred that applicants demonstrate completion of the following courses with a grade of “C” or higher at the time of application: biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology.

Curriculum

Degree Requirements

Completion of all exercise science general education courses (see curriculum section below)
Completion of approximately 60 credits specific to the Exercise Science degree program
Completion of Health-Fitness Practicum experiences
Completion of a clinical internship

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Must take between 54 – 57 credits from the School of Education in the following areas:

BIOPHYSICAL FOUNDATIONS (21 CREDITS)

HHD 1033 Human Physiology (3 credits)
HHD 1011-1012 Applied Human Anatomy + Lab (4 credits)
HHD1042 Physiology of Exercise (3 credits)
HHD 1485 Nutrition and Health (3 credits)
HHD 1044 Biomechanics (3 credits)
HHD 1487 Obesity and Chronic Disease (3 credits)
HHD 1030 Applied Physiology Lab (1 credit)
HHD 1232 Principles of Strength and Conditioning Lab (1 credit)

BEHAVIORAL & SOCIOCULTURAL FOUNDATIONS (3 CREDITS)

HHD 1486 Behavior Change Strategies (3 credits)

RESEARCH METHODS & PRACTICUM (3-5 CREDITS)

HHD 1031 Research in Sport Science (3 credits)
HHD1045 Directed Research Practicum* (2 credits)
- only required for research focus

HEALTH & WELLNESS FOUNDATIONS (6 CREDITS)

HHD 0476 Lifetime Activities (2 credits)
HHD 1489 Considerations for Health & Fitness Programming (3 credits)
HHD 0196 First Aid and CPR (1 credit)

EXERCISE SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS (22-23 CREDITS)

HHD 1233 Principles of Strength & Conditioning (2 credits)
HHD 1224 Fitness Assessment & Exercise RX (3 credits)
HHD 1226 Exercise RX for Special Populations (3 credits)
HHD 1035 Exercise Science Seminar 2 (1 credit)
HHD 1996 Clinical Internship (12 credits)
HHD 1169 Health & Fitness Practicum 1 (1 credit)
HHD Health & Fitness Practicum 2* (1 credit)
- only required for applied focus

INSTRUCTOR COURSES (2 CREDITS)*
ONLY REQUIRED FOR APPLIED FOCUS STUDENTS

Must take a total of 2 credits from the following courses:

HHD 1172 Group Fitness Instructor (2 credits)
HHD 1174 Yoga & Pilates Instructor (2 credits)
HHD 1175 Cardio Conditioning Instructor (2 credits)
PEDC 0243 CPR/FA Instructor (2 credits)
HHD 0497 Water Safety Instructor (2 credits)
PEDC 0242 Lifeguard Instructor (2 credits)

Must take 16 credits of natural science courses from the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences:

BIOSC 0160 Biology 2 (3 credits)
CHEM 0120 Chemistry 2 + Lab (4 credits)
Additional Science Electives (9 credits)
- Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Neurology, and Nutrition

Exercise Science follows the guidance of the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences in these General Education requirements:

Writing (6 credits)
- Composition (3 credits)
- Writing-Intensive Course (3 credits)
Quantitative Reasoning (6 credits)
- Algebra (3 credits) – Can be completed based on high school performance
- Statistics (3 credits)
Humanities (12 credits)
- Literature (3 credits)
- Creative Work (3 credits)
- Arts (3 credits)
- Philosophical Thinking and Ethics (3 credits)
Social Science, Historical Analysis & Global Awareness and Cultural Understanding (9 credits)
- Historical Analysis (3 credits)
- Social Sciences (3 credits)
- Global Awareness and Cultural Understanding (3 credits)
  - Can pick a courses from the following categories: Global Issues, Specific Region, and Cross-Cultural Awareness
Introductory Sciences (14 credits)
- BIOSCI 0150 Biology 1 (3 credits)
- BIOSCI 0050/0057/0058 Biology 1 Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 0110 Chemistry 1 and Lab (4 credit)
- PHYS 0110 Physics 1 (3 credits)
- PSYCH 0010 Psychology (3 credits)