School of Nursing & Health Sciences · Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Help people move, train, and live healthier.
Want to help people get stronger, recover from injury, or build healthy habits? MVU’s BS in Exercise Science prepares you to test fitness, design exercise programs, and promote health for people of all ages.
120
credit hours to graduate
45
credit hours in the major
On campus
in Marshall, Missouri
4 years
at a full-time pace
Why exercise science at MVU
From testing to training
Learn to assess, plan, and guide exercise and health programs.
Strength and conditioning
Study kinesiology, exercise physiology, and theories of strength and conditioning.
Testing and prescription
Run health and fitness tests, then use the results to design programs for different people.
Certifications and grad school
The program prepares you for professional certification exams and graduate study.
Is this program for me?
This program may be a great fit if you want to…
- Work as a personal trainer, strength coach, or fitness professional.
- Help people prevent injuries and recover.
- Promote health in your community.
- Continue to a graduate program, such as MVU’s MS in Exercise Science.
What will I learn to do?
Skills you’ll practice and grow
- Plan how to run a fitness facility safely and economically.
- Conduct fitness and health tests and explain the results.
- Design fitness programs for different groups.
- Prevent injuries through screening and planning.
- Find, evaluate, and use research to make decisions.
- Present what the research says to an audience.
How the degree works
How your 120 credit hours add up
Here’s how the degree is built. Your advisor helps you choose courses each term.
01
General education core
At least 42 credit hours across writing, speaking, math, science, social science, and the humanities.
02
Exercise science courses
45 credit hours in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, conditioning, testing, nutrition, and community health, ending with a senior seminar.
03
Electives or a minor
Use the rest of your 120 hours for electives, a minor, or even a second major.
Explore the curriculum
What you’ll study
Here are the courses in the major. Your advisor helps you plan the order.
Exercise science courses (45 credit hours)
- BIOL 275 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- EXSI 100 Introduction to Exercise Science (2 credits)
- EXSI 230 Prevention and Treatment of Athletic Injuries
- EXSI 245 Personal Health and Conditioning (2 credits)
- EXSI 307 Theories of Strength and Conditioning
- EXSI 320 Health and Fitness Testing
- EXSI 334 Kinesiology
- EXSI 335 Exercise Physiology
- EXSI 359 Community Health (2 credits)
- EXSI 385 Human Nutrition
- EXSI 400 Health Promotion and Exercise Prescription
- EXSI 485 Senior Seminar (2 credits)
- MATH 200 Introduction to Statistics
- PHYS 233 First Aid/CPR (2 credits)
- PHYS 240 Motor/Perceptual Motor Development
- PHYS 300 Organization and Administration of Physical Education/Athletic Programs (2 credits)
- PHYS 333 Psychology and Sociology of Sports
General education core (at least 42 credit hours)
- Social and behavioral science (9 hours) from at least two subjects, including one constitution course: HIST 104, HIST 105, or POLS 100
- Written communication (6 hours): ENGL 130 Rhetoric and Composition, plus ENGL 160 or HONR 190
- Oral communication (3 hours), such as COMM 100 Public Speaking & Introduction to Communication
- Natural science: 7 hours from at least two subjects, including a lab (BS); 3 hours (BA and BFA)
- Mathematics (3 hours)
- Humanities and fine arts: 9 hours (BS) or 12 hours (BA and BFA) from at least three subjects, covering the arts and creativity, ethics, and culture and society
- Additional general education from any area, to reach at least 42 hours
- Plus one Writing Intensive (WI) course and one Service Learning (SL) course, which can overlap with other requirements
Graduation requirements
- Complete at least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Earn a major GPA of 2.0 or higher, with no grade below C and no pass/fail grades in the major.
- Complete at least 36 credit hours of upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
- Complete your last 30 credit hours, and at least 12 hours of your major, at MVU.
- Complete the major assessment requirement.
- Apply for graduation and pay the $100 graduation fee.
Getting started
Three steps to begin
Applying to MVU is free, and most students finish the application in a few minutes.
02
Send your transcripts
Send your high school transcript, plus official transcripts from any college or dual credit courses. Transferring? See the transfer steps.
03
Plan how you’ll pay
Explore scholarships, grants, and loans on Tuition & Financial Aid, or request information for current tuition.
Can I continue to a master’s degree?
Yes. MVU offers a Master of Science in Exercise Science.
Can I add a minor or a second major?
Yes. A minor is optional and appears on your transcript; it must be in a different subject than your major. You can also double major by completing all the requirements for both majors. You’ll receive one diploma.
What do I need to graduate?
- At least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- A C or higher in every major course.
- At least 36 upper-division credit hours.
- Your last 30 credit hours at MVU.
- An application for graduation and the $100 graduation fee.
Talk with an Associate Dean
Have questions about courses, certifications, or how to plan your degree? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
BS in Exercise Science
