Online Bachelor of Science in

Exercise Science

You feel the benefits of regular exercise — particularly improved strength and energy that help propel you forward to achieve new goals. As more Americans start to understand the importance of an active lifestyle, the health and fitness industry has emerged, bringing in about $30 billion per year, according to Forbes. With this growth comes a need for skilled professionals ready to direct exercise, fitness, nutrition, and wellness plans in a number of settings, from gyms to corporate wellness efforts to community organizations. ACU’s fully online Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree program trains you to deliver this guidance from a place of faith rooted in compassion. 



You feel the benefits of regular exercise — particularly improved strength and energy that help propel you forward to achieve new goals. As more Americans start to understand the importance of an active lifestyle, the health and fitness industry has emerged, bringing in about $30 billion per year, according to Forbes. With this growth comes a need for skilled professionals ready to direct exercise, fitness, nutrition, and wellness plans in a number of settings, from gyms to corporate wellness efforts to community organizations. ACU’s fully online Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree program trains you to deliver this guidance from a place of faith rooted in compassion. 



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Dedicate Yourself to a Career Motivating Others

Explore movement and nutrition from a multifaceted scientific perspective to prepare for an entry-level fitness career or to enter a professional program. Our vibrant, virtual Christ-centered community supports you as you undertake this new and exciting journey. 

Locked-In Tuition

Introducing
Locked-In Tuition.

Our Locked-In Tuition program guarantees you’ll pay the same price for your entire undergraduate degree.

About the Program

yoga, exercise science, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

To approach health holistically, one must understand the many aspects that make up a human being. With ACU’s online Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science program, you’ll study the psychological, structural, physiological, and mechanical aspects of health and human movement activities.

Program Structure

All the Details on Your Degree

Understand the scientific basis for fitness and why the body responds the way it does. You’ll pair this foundation with courses covering movement, nutrition, kinesiology, exercise science, leadership, and research to develop fitness and wellness plans that deliver results. Review all courses and descriptions. 

Required Hours

Total: 120 hours
University Requirements: 56 hours (including 9-15 hours in Bible)
Major: 64 hours (up to 17 hours in electives)

Example Coursework

Professional Certifications in Health & Human Performance
Strength and Conditioning for Performance
Exercise and Special Populations
Health Psychology

Upcoming Start Dates

October 15, 2024
January 14, 2025

Common Job Titles

Exercise Physiologist
Fitness and Wellness Coordinator
Fitness Trainer or Instructor
Coach
Sports Scout

Objectives

Exercise Science

Fitness allows for a degree of empowerment when it comes to health and wellbeing. Exercise routines, considering this, can have broad-reaching ramifications across one’s physical and mental health. Yet, someone new to structured activity can easily come overwhelmed with a deluge of options — some of which may even prove ineffective.

Movement, starting from anatomy and physiology, is a science, and ACU’s online Bachelor’s in Exercise Science degree program begins from this baseline. You’ll learn to provide targeted, in-depth instruction on how the body moves and operates and guide others toward their fitness goals. 

  • Learn how the body functions and responds, including before and after fitness, to optimize performance. 
  • Acquire a comprehensive scientific perspective of health, from movement, anatomy, and nutrition to psychology, to create fitness and wellness plans.
  • Help people live healthier, more active lives, both on individual and community levels.
  • Understand how to develop fitness plans using science, research, and data to meet an individual’s needs and help them reach their goals.

Curriculum

With the online Bachelor’s in Exercise Science, you’ll comprehensively tackle mechanical, structural, physiological, and psychological factors influencing fitness outcomes. You’ll start to establish this mindset through required courses in psychology, statistics, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology before uncovering more fitness- and nutrition-specific applications. Over 64 credit hours, you’ll learn about:

  • the foundation and relationship between fitness, performance, and health;
  • nutrition in relation to exercise levels and activity to improve performance;
  • kinesiology, or how the body moves at an anatomical level, as well as motor development and control;
  • exercise science principles for developing fitness programs and goals, including for specific demographic groups and audiences;
  • leadership and management skills for the health promotion and wellness field;
  • acute and chronic physiological responses to exercises;
  • research methods used in kinesiology, exercise science, and nutrition;
  • the scientific principles of strengthening and conditioning; and
  • key industry certifications.

Meet the Program Director

Kathy Carrol, Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance

Dr. Kathy Carroll, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Dr. Kathy Carroll is an assistant professor and the Program Director for the online Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. She received her bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (Pharmacy), her master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University (Kinesiology/Exercise Physiology) and her doctorate from The University of Toledo (Health and Human Performance/Exercise Physiology). Kathy worked for several years as a pharmacist, before a career change that led her into higher education. She previously taught natural science and exercise science and served as department chair for Exercise and Sport Science. Kathy has a passion for teaching and a heart for helping people and is excited to bring these qualities into her role as program director.

Spotlight

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Student Spotlight: Lori Ruiz

From high school athlete to high school nurse, Lori Ruiz is proud of the journey she’s taken to become who she is today. Graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Performance, Lori is proud to serve her students and athletes as a dual-degree holder and advocate for her student’s success while simultaneously reaching her next career goals to become a licensed school counselor.

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Practicing healthy habits are essential in this modern age of pandemics, sedentary lifestyles, and worsening health outcomes. For Dr. Kathy Carroll that means a greater call to properly educate the next generation of exercise professionals. Learn how she’s impacting students as program director for ACU Online’s Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.

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Earn credit for your National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certifications while pursuing your Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at ACU Online. If you hold NASM certifications such as Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Certified Sports Nutrition Coach (CSNC), or Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES), you can receive up to 9 credit hourscompletely free of charge. This unique opportunity allows you to fast-track your degree, saving both time and money while advancing your career. Combine your NASM expertise with a flexible, 100% online degree program designed to fit your busy schedule and open doors to new opportunities in the health, fitness and wellness fields.

exercise science

The drive you feel at the gym can help propel you forward toward a career serving others through fitness and wellness. As the industry continues to expand, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 39% more positions for fitness trainers and instructors between 2020 and 2030

Opportunities after you complete your online Bachelor’s in Exercise Science include:

  • fitness and wellness coordinator;
  • exercise psychologist;
  • fitness instructor;
  • coach;
  • personal trainer;
  • health educator;
  • fitness management;
  • conditioning; and
  • corporate wellness professional. 

As you evaluate your path forward, this degree equips you to pursue graduate study in aging and gerontology, athletic training, chiropractic exercise, physiology, sports management, exercise science, sports psychology, or another related area.

Group Of Mature Female Friends On Outdoor Yoga Retreat Walking Along Path Through Campsite, Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance

To be considered for admission, students must:

  • Submit official high school and/or college transcripts.
  • Complete the online program application accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee.

Students are not required to submit ACT or SAT test scores.

Graduation Requirements: Students must earn a 2.0 GPA or higher to meet graduation requirements and complete at least 33 advanced hours.

SACSCOC Stamp Color

Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Ga. 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of ACU.

Abilene Christian University enjoys a strong national reputation as one of the leading private Christian universities in the west and southwest, indicated by various ratings (such as U.S. News and World Report and other reports).