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Bachelor's in Exercise Science

If you have a passion for helping people heal from injury or achieve new heights in their athletic ability, the BS in Exercise Science at Indiana Wesleyan University should be in your future. With this comprehensive exercise science major, you can benefit from course topics focused on exercise, nutrition, and spiritual health. At our Christian university, you can learn how to integrate biblical principles into your career in this exciting and rewarding field. Upon completion, you can move into a graduate-level program in a specialized area.

Why Pursue My BS in Exercise Science at IWU?

There are several benefits to pursuing your BS in Exercise Science at IWU. This accredited degree program is taught by faculty with experience working as practitioners in this dynamic field. We also provide a full system of student services, including tutoring and tech support, to help you succeed in your education. Students learn from expert faculty who will become mentors in the faith, integrating classroom learning with biblical truths for a Christ-centered environment that encourages spiritual growth.

What Will I Learn in this BS in Exercise Science Program?

The courses in this Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science are designed to help students gain the foundation skills and specialized knowledge to pursue careers in a wide variety of roles. The student experience goes beyond traditional classroom learning and offers hands-on experiences in IWU's Human Performance Lab, which is equipped with a metabolic cart, ECG system, Biopac EMG System, Bod Pod, Monark bikes, Kistler force plate, and other pieces of equipment. This approach helps ensure that our graduates have experience with current laboratory measurement techniques.  

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided education for more than 100 years.

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Rooted in Christ

Faith-integrated curriculum and a commitment to changing the world.

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Superior Support

Center for Student Success for counseling, tutoring, and more!

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What You'll Study

Coursework for this Bachelor of Science in exercise science major covers how to:

  • Understand and communicate the benefits of physical fitness, fitness evaluation, exercise physiology, sport biomechanics, motor integration, exercise epidemiology, athletic training, sport psychology, and nutrition
  • Implement physiology-based testing protocols and fitness evaluations performed in clinical and field settings
  • Create health promotion and wellness programs based on various wellness components including lifestyle, spirituality, nutrition, cardiovascular health, exercise fitness, and mental wholeness.
  • Prepare for post-graduation plans in the field of exercise science and the transition to life after undergraduate studies

...

Courses in this Program

These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence. For a full list of courses required to complete your degree, please visit the course catalog. Click on a course below to view the description.

BIO-112,BIO-112L,CHE-120,CHE-120L,CHE-125,CHE-125L,EXS-170,EXS-264,EXS-286,PHE-352,PHE-365,EXS-370,EXS-370L,EXS-374,EXS-374L,EXS-379,EXS-380,EXS-383,PHE-413,EXS-415,EXS-431,EXS-440,EXS-483,EXS-485,EXS-486,EXS-487

After Graduation
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Potential Careers

  • Personal Trainer
  • Rehab Facilities
  • Researcher
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Fitness
  • Wellness/Health Agencies

Work in Various Industries

  • Industry

Program Requirements
Because high academic achievement is required for admission to health professional schools, the Divisions of Health and Human Performance plus Natural Sciences have developed minimum criteria for the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Program designation on IWU degree audits and diplomas. Upon completion of the freshman year, students interested in maintaining the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Program designation must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, complete a prescribed essay, and interview with the Pre-Professional Committee. The essay and interview are administered as part of the PMD-110 course (Preparing the Christian Health Professional, completed by the student in the spring of his or her freshman year). Students whose cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 are encouraged to investigate, with the help of their academic advisor, alternative career paths. If the student does not eventually achieve the minimum cumulative GPA, the Residential Academic Services Office will drop the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) designation from the degree audit and diploma on graduation. Transfer students wishing to have the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Program designation on their degree audit and diploma will need to demonstrate that they meet the GPA requirements in core courses and overall completed courses based on applicable classes at previous accredited institutions. All subsequent decisions as to retention in the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Program will be based on IWU courses only. These students should enroll in PMD-110 at their earliest opportunity. 
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Accreditation

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.

Exercise Science is an accredited program through CAAHEP, which offers one-on-one advising to help ensure that you are taking the right courses to prepare you for whichever area of exercise science most interests you. Whether you are going straight into the exercise science profession or planning to go on to a graduate program, IWU's Exercise Science major can prepare you for success.

CAAHEP is the largest programmatic accreditor in the health sciences field. In collaboration with its Committees on Accreditation (COAES), CAAHEP reviews and accredits over 2000 programs in twenty-eight (28) health science occupations (caahep.org). Our program is accredited through March 16, 2028.

CAAHEP
25400 US Highway 19 N, Suite 158,
Clearwater, FL 33763

Graduate Placement 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 Last 4 years aggregate
Number of graduates from program 16 19 25 18 78
Number of graduates employed in the field within 1 year of graduation 5 6 6 2 19
Number of graduates continuing education 10 11 17 14 52
Percentage of placement 93% 90% 92% 88% 91%
Certification Exams
Number of graduates who challenged a certification exam 3 3 6 2 14
Number of graduates who passed a certification exam 2 3 6 2 13
Percentage of students who passed a certification exam 67% 100% 100% 100% 93%
Take the Next Step

Discover the way ahead and pursue a world of opportunity in the field of exercise science. Learn more about the BS in Exercise Science at IWU!

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