Bachelor of Science in Exercise ScienceHenry Predolin School of Nursing, Business, Education, and Health Sciences

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Help people live healthier lives

Join a growing health-related profession with a wide variety of in demand jobs. An Exercise Science bachelor’s degree is an excellent pathway for individuals looking to build a career that transforms passion for health and wellness into the pursuit of meaningful work.

This broad field combines several academic disciplines such as anatomy, biology, and physiology within a rigorous curriculum that will focus on application of knowledge related to the science of movement, physical activity techniques, and overall effects of exercise on human wellbeing and athletic performance. With an objective to enhance human health and quality of life, students will take 35 credits of core classes. Some of these include:

Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
Exercise Physiology
Human Cell Biology & Genetics
Fitness Testing & Exercise Prescription
Introduction to Human Biomechanics
Sports Nutrition

As a Division III college, athletics is the pulse for many students on campus and that increases the student’s ability to network. Faculty with field experience will present engaging coursework that infuses experiential learning and will also be there to help students discover their passion and path to achieve success. Many of the adjunct instructors are part of the athletic programming on campus. Faculty use their expansive networks to help students connect with valuable resources including internship and career opportunities.

Locations
Madison, WI

Formats
On-campus

Number of Credits
120

Next Start Date
January 21, 2025

Careers within Exercise Science

$51,350

Average annual salary for an Exercise Physiologist

10%

Projected employment growth rate, from 2022-2032

Bureau of Labor Statistics

A bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science prepares you for a variety of career paths including many in the health care field. Those marked with an asterisk (*) require a graduate level degree.

Cardiovascular Rehabilitation*
Certified Athletic Trainer
Exercise Physiologist
Exercise Science Researcher
Personal Trainer
Physical Therapist*
Sports Performance Coach
Sports Psychology*
Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Wellness Director/Coordinator

Factors that Impact Salaries in the Field of Exercise Science

Education: a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science provides the foundation to pursue the advanced education required for many positions. The more advanced your education, the higher your salary.
Industry: the type of industry such as academia, healthcare, and sports performance are likely to influence salary ranges.
Location: you can expect salaries to vary based on geographic location and cost of living.
Specialization: expertise and specialized skills in a specific area of this field such as sports performance or clinical exercise physiology are likely to yield higher salaries.

Exercise Science by the Numbers

16:1

Student to faculty ratio

92%

are student-athletes

Exercise Science Student Spotlight

Camden “Cam” Shepherd ’25

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Minor in Nutrition

“I am extremely proud to be a part of the growing Exercise Science program at Edgewood College. The professors are all very knowledgeable, foster a supportive learning environment, are flexible with student schedules, and have been more than encouraging of my career goals and ambitions. This program has more than prepared me for what is to come after my undergraduate studies, giving me the skills, knowledge, and experience to become a valuable member of the health and wellness community.”

Featured Courses in Exercise Science

EXR 150 Applied Principles of Strength Training

Instruction is provided describing the principles for development of pre-season, in-season, and off season strength training. Emphasis is placed on understanding physiological adaptations and considerations in program design. Hands on experiences will include the theory and techniques of operating strength training equipment.

EXR 205 Introduction to Exercise Science

Introduction to the field of exercise science including aspects of human performance, exercise physiology, and strength training & conditioning. This includes basic components of program design training, and assessment. Careers and professional responsibilities within the exercise science field are also a focus of this course.

EXR 320 Sports Psychology

This course will provide an understanding of applied practice and research-based sport psychology theories and techniques. Topics will range from attentional focus, pre-competitive anxiety, goal setting, motivation, relaxation, and mental toughness related to individual and team levels. Students will study the research-based approaches in sport psychology to create plans to enhance performance among potential clients.

Explore All Courses For This Program

Student Organizations

Achievement in Medicine

Achievement in Medicine (AIM) brings together students who are thinking of pursuing a degree in the medical/health field post-graduation. Guest speakers include doctors, physical therapists, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists, and other individuals with other medical specialties have presented to members of AIM. Resources for MCAT/GRE as well as volunteer and shadow experiences are available through this organization.

We In Power

We In Power (WIP) fosters a sense of inclusivity and community through fun social events, fitness challenges, group classes, and experiences related to health and fitness. Students are encouraged to take power over their mind, body, and soul, particularly through movement, empowering one another to thrive through improving both physical and mental abilities.

Exercise Science Experiences

Uniquely situated in a bustling capital city, Edgewood College is surrounded by 55 acres of beautiful nature and along the shores of Lake Wingra. For students that are looking to be connected and part of a close-knit community, our humble campus offers an average class size of 15 students. Tucked quietly away from the busyness, downtown Madison is just minutes from campus. Our prime location means accessibility to internship opportunities and postgraduate jobs.

Exercise Science Faculty Spotlights

Romaric Setodji

Exercise Science Program Coordinator & Adjunct Professor, Biological Sciences, Strength and Conditioning Coach

Exercise Science is an exciting and dynamic field that provides numerous options for individuals who have passion for the beautiful and intricate ways the human body can improve in terms of athletic performance, fitness, and health. I will leverage my experience in this field to build a solid foundation for our students by creating unique hands-on experience for them. Students will have real life experiences while working with our athletics department and other teams within our community to grow their knowledge and be prepared for a career in the rapidly evolving field of exercise science.”

Nicole Kime

Professor

NKime@edgewood.edu

Pete Kuhn

Associate Professor

PKuhn@edgewood.edu

Courtney Novak

Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach

CNovak@edgewood.edu

View All Faculty

Innovative Technology and Hands-On Learning

The Sonderegger Science Center offers state-of-the-art laboratory and classroom space to facilitate hands-on learning. Engaging and interactive labs will incorporate innovative technology in the field of exercise science. Students will use Wingate anaerobic equipment to conduct anaerobic threshold testing, utilize electrocardiogram (ECG) to test electrical signals in the heart, and metabolic measurement cart to test oxygen consumption and CO2 production.