Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Lawrence Township, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 37,700 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Rider practices rolling admissions
** additional fees may apply
Introduction
Bridge basic biology, exercise physiology, sports nutrition and psychology through clinical applications.
Develop an understanding of how the body works and how exercise impacts physical performance and brain function. Bridge basic biology, exercise physiology, sports nutrition and psychology through clinical applications. You’ll learn how to apply these scientific concepts to athletic and exercise performance and design effective fitness practices for individuals of all health, age and fitness levels.
This program prepares students for both entry-level positions in health, fitness, and exercise science and as pre-professional training for a variety of healthcare-related programs (i.e., athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy). Graduates of this program will be prepared to assess, design, and implement individual and group exercise and fitness programs for both healthy individuals and those with controlled diseases. In addition to knowledge and skills associated with physiology, exercise science professionals also must be knowledgeable and skilled in evaluating health behaviors and behavior modification and motivation techniques necessary to promote and maintain positive lifestyle behaviors. Rider achieves this through small class and laboratory sizes allowing direct, hands-on instruction, and faculty accessibility. Students also have opportunities to do research with faculty via work-study or independent study. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who provides academic advice and career guidance tailored to the student's needs. Students completing this program will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for entry-level exercise science employment in the public and private industries and/or graduate study in related areas.
Students may be eligible for a number of nationally recognized certifications in the field (i.e., American College of Sports Medicine Certification, National Strength and Conditioning Association, National Academy of Sports Medicine) and may pursue employment in various healthcare and/or public health settings in and around exercise and healthy lifestyle interventions. Students will also be able to use their degree as a platform for a wide range of graduate degree programming including, but not limited to: physical therapy, exercise physiology, physician’s assistant, occupational therapy, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and public health.
Flex your knowledge beyond the classroom
Put your learned techniques and wellness strategies to work on diverse patient populations, including athletes from Rider’s 20 NCAA Division I sports teams, and benefit from faculty-led research projects and hands-on internship opportunities including a presence at state, regional and national conferences. You will have many opportunities to gain hands-on experience with Rider’s 20 Division I athletic teams.
Program Outcome
After completing this program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge in foundational concepts of exercise science.
- Demonstrate competency in the following domains for both healthy and clinical populations: pre-participation risk stratification, fitness assessment and evaluation, evidence based exercise prescription, and safe/appropriate exercise technique.
- Articulate the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the delivery of evidence based exercise programming in contemporary health care.
- Communicate effectively in both the written and spoken word, commensurate with expectations in the field.
- Act within the ethical and legal parameters of Exercise Science.
Curriculum
The curriculum is designed to allow flexibility to customize the program by selecting courses in both foundational and core content areas based on the individual’s personal and professional goals. Rider’s science faculty are research-oriented and encourage students to take advantage of opportunities to engage in independent research. Two concentrations are identified, each with a selected set of courses that prepare students for their intended career path: Four career paths are identified, each with a selected set of courses that best meet that program:
- Practitioner Concentration: designed for those wanting to pursue careers as fitness professionals, corporate health and wellness specialists, and strength and conditioning professionals.
- Pre-Professional Concentration: designed for students wanting to pursue additional training in Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, or other healthcare-related programs. Students should consult with their faculty advisor regarding the requirements for each career path option.
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or those who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
Year 1
Fall Semester
- CMP 120 Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric
- BIO 115 Principles of Biology I
& 115L Principles of Biology I Lab - MTH 105 Algebra and Trigonometry 1
- PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
Spring Semester
- BIO 116 Principles of Biology II
& 116L Principles of Biology II Lab - CHE 120 Principles of Chemistry
& CHE 121 Principles of Chemistry Lab - CMP 125 Seminar in Writing and Research
- EXS 121 Exercise Injury Control and Management
- HSC 105 Introduction to Health Professions
Year 2
Fall Semester
- BIO 221 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
& BIO 222L Human Anatomy & Phys II Lab - HIS 150 World History to 1500
- HSC 201 Nutrition for Exercise and Physical Activity
- PSY 283 Sport Psychology
or PSY 345 Health Psychology - Foreign Language 1
Spring Semester
- BIO 222 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
& 222L Human Anatomy & Phys II Lab - HSC 100 Intro to Human Nutrition
- HSC 302 Kinesiology
& 302L Kinesiology Lab - HIS 151 World History Since 1500
- Foreign Language
Year 3
Fall Semester
- Statistics Course
- EXS 320 Exercise Physiology
& EXS 321 Exercise Physiology Laboratory - HSC 201 Nutrition for Exercise and Physical Activity
- Social Perspectives II
Spring Semester
- EXS 340 Exercise Testing & Prescription
& EXS 341 Exercise Testing & Prescription - Lab - EXS 360 Foundations of Strength and Conditioning
- Aesthetic Perspectives General Education Credits
- Philosophical Perspectives General Education Credits
- Elective Credits
Year 4
Fall Semester
- Independent Study or Internship in EXS
- Research Design Option
- EXS 405 Special Populations & Considerations
- Aesthetic Perspectives General Education Credits
- Elective Credits
Spring Semester
- Capstone Seminar or Certification Exam Prep(ACSM, CEP, NSCA, CSCS)
- EXS 401 Organization and Administration in Exercise Science
- Global Perspectives General Education Credits
- Elective Credits
1 For course placement information, contact us
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
At Rider, there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all, and our aid packages are no exception. In fact, 99% of students receive Rider-funded scholarships and financial aid. Let us work closely with you and your family to find scholarships and aid that are right for you.
| 99% of students receive Rider-funded scholarships and financial aid | $21.8 Average student assistance package | $71.2 million Total institutional funds awarded by Rider for the 21–22 school year |
Career Opportunities
Take the next step
Graduate ready to begin a career as a corporate wellness consultant, fitness trainer, cardiac rehab therapist or performance coach. Your degree also will provide the foundation for graduate study or professional certifications in a range of programs. Graduates of the program will be prepared for national certifications (i.e., NSCA CSCS, NASM PES and CES, ACE personal training, Group Exercise and Health Coaching.)
Careers you could pursue with a degree in exercise science are listed below. Click on those career titles that are linked to watch professionals in the field share their personal career experience and advice.
- Athletic trainer*
- Clinical exercise physiologist*
- Nutrition & Dietetics*
- Exercise/nutrition educator
- Physician’s assistant*
- Physical therapist*
- Occupational therapist*
- Fitness Program leader
- Public health*
- High school or college strength and conditioning coach
- Personal trainer
- Group fitness leader
- Corporate fitness and wellness
*Additional certification or education required
English Language Requirements
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