If you’re passionate about fitness, sports, or health, you might be wondering, what do you do with an exercise science degree? This degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities, whether you’re interested in becoming a personal trainer, working in athletic training, or even pursuing a career in cardiac rehabilitation. With a degree in exercise science, you can explore jobs in sports, personal fitness, and community health, all while helping others lead healthier lives.
From earning a bachelor’s degree in exercise science to pursuing certifications like the ACSM exercise physiologist certification, there are plenty of paths to choose from. Whether you’re looking into programs that offer an associate’s degree or aiming for higher education in fields like kinesiology or allied health education, the possibilities are endless.
Graduates with a degree in exercise science have the chance to make a real difference by improving fitness levels, designing corrective exercise plans, or even managing wellness programs. In this guide, we’ll explore what do you do with an Exercise Science Degree?
Exercise Science Degree
An exercise science degree is a versatile qualification that can open doors to a variety of rewarding careers in the health, fitness, and sports industries. Whether you’re just starting out with an associate’s degree or you’re aiming for a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, this degree provides the foundational knowledge needed to help individuals improve their physical health and performance.
This degree covers a wide range of topics, from the science of human movement to the principles of corrective exercise and cardiac rehabilitation. Students in exercise science programs often learn about the body’s response to physical activity, injury prevention, and how exercise can be used as a treatment for certain health conditions. By understanding these concepts, graduates can pursue careers in athletic training, personal training, and even exercise physiology.
One of the most valuable aspects of an exercise science bachelor’s degree is that it provides students with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to succeed in the field. As a graduate, you may choose to specialize in areas like sports science, fitness training, or wellness coaching. For example, earning certifications such as the ACSM exercise physiologist certification can enhance your credibility and open up more career opportunities, such as working in hospitals, fitness centers, or sports teams.
For those interested in sports and physical activity, this degree can lead to jobs like an athletic trainer or a college sports coach. These roles often involve working directly with athletes, assessing their fitness levels, and helping them recover from injuries. Alternatively, if you’re more interested in personal fitness, you might consider becoming a personal trainer or a fitness instructor, where you can design customized workout programs for clients of all ages and fitness levels.
In addition to these career paths, a bachelor’s degree in exercise science can also be a stepping stone to higher education or specialized training programs. For example, many graduates go on to pursue advanced degrees in fields like kinesiology, sports medicine, or physical therapy. Some may even use their exercise science background as a foundation for entering medical school, where they can focus on treating patients with musculoskeletal or cardiovascular issues.
What Do You Do with an Exercise Science Degree?
An exercise science degree can lead you to a variety of exciting and fulfilling career options. Whether you’re passionate about sports, personal fitness, or community health, there are many ways to apply your knowledge to help people improve their physical health and well-being. Let’s break down some of the top career paths for graduates with a degree in exercise science.
What can you do with an exercise science degree if you’re interested in sports?
For those who are interested in sports, an exercise science degree provides a solid foundation for working with athletes at various levels. Whether you’re looking to work with professional teams or aspiring young athletes, there are many roles to consider.
Athletic Trainer
As an athletic trainer, you’ll be responsible for preventing, diagnosing, and treating sports-related injuries. Athletic trainers are essential in helping athletes recover quickly and safely, and they often work with teams, schools, and fitness centers. A degree in exercise science is crucial for understanding how the body moves and responds to physical activity, which is essential for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Sports Coach
If you have a passion for coaching and mentoring, becoming a college or professional sports coach could be the perfect career for you. With a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, you’ll have a deep understanding of human physiology, biomechanics, and exercise techniques, all of which are essential for training athletes. Whether coaching at the high school, college, or professional level, your degree will help you design effective training programs and improve athletic performance.
Sports Scout
Another exciting career option is becoming a sports scout. This role involves identifying new athletic talent and assessing their potential. With your background in exercise science, you’ll be able to evaluate athletes’ physical capabilities and match them with the right teams. Scouts play a critical role in discovering up-and-coming athletes in various sports.
What can you do with an exercise science degree if your passion is personal fitness?
If you have a passion for fitness and enjoy helping others achieve their health goals, there are numerous career paths in personal fitness for exercise science graduates.
Personal Trainer
A popular career choice for exercise science graduates is becoming a personal trainer. In this role, you’ll work one-on-one with clients to create personalized workout plans tailored to their individual goals and needs. Whether you’re helping someone lose weight, build muscle, or improve overall fitness, your background in exercise physiology and corrective exercise will be invaluable. Earning certifications, such as the personal training certification, can further boost your qualifications and enhance your job prospects.
Fitness Instructor
Another option within the personal fitness field is working as a fitness instructor. Fitness instructors teach group classes such as yoga, spin, or strength training. With a degree in exercise science, you’ll have the knowledge to create safe and effective fitness programs for individuals of all fitness levels. This is a great option if you enjoy leading others in a group setting while promoting healthy lifestyles.
Exercise Physiologist
As an exercise physiologist, you’ll apply your knowledge of human movement and physiology to help people improve their overall health. This role often involves working with clients who have chronic health conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, and using exercise as a form of treatment. For this career, you may choose to pursue certifications like the ACSM exercise physiologist certification to enhance your expertise and job opportunities.
What can you do with an exercise science degree if you value community health?
Graduates with a degree in exercise science can also contribute to community health by working in roles that focus on promoting wellness and improving public health.
Health Educator
A health educator works in communities, schools, and healthcare settings to promote healthy lifestyle choices. With your knowledge of exercise, nutrition, and physical wellness, you can create programs that teach people how to improve their physical health. Many exercise science degree holders find rewarding careers in health education, where they educate individuals on the importance of exercise for overall well-being.
Wellness Director
As a wellness director, you’ll oversee wellness programs in corporations, fitness centers, or healthcare organizations. Your role involves creating wellness initiatives that encourage healthy living and exercise among employees or clients. A degree in exercise science provides the knowledge needed to implement effective programs that help people improve their physical fitness and reduce stress.
Camp Director
For those who enjoy working with children or organizing outdoor activities, a camp director position could be an ideal choice. As a camp director, you’ll be responsible for planning and overseeing sports and fitness-related activities for children, teens, or adults. You can use your background in exercise science to ensure that activities are safe, fun, and promote physical activity.
Additional Career Options
In addition to the more traditional roles, there are several other career paths that exercise science graduates can explore.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist
If you’re interested in working with individuals recovering from heart surgery or managing chronic cardiovascular conditions, becoming a cardiac rehabilitation specialist could be a fulfilling career. You’ll use your exercise knowledge to help patients regain their strength and improve their health after heart-related issues. This role typically requires a strong understanding of exercise physiology and corrective exercise.
Further Education or Specialization
Many graduates with an exercise science degree choose to further their education. You might pursue advanced studies in kinesiology, physical therapy, or even enter medical school. Specialized certifications and advanced degrees can help you qualify for higher-paying roles or more specific fields, such as sports medicine or occupational therapy.
Final Words
An exercise science degree is a powerful tool that opens up a wide range of career opportunities in the health, fitness, and sports industries. Whether you’re passionate about working with athletes, helping individuals improve their personal fitness, or promoting wellness within the community, this degree offers diverse pathways for growth. From becoming a personal trainer or athletic trainer to pursuing advanced roles like exercise physiologist or cardiac rehabilitation specialist, there’s a career in exercise science to match nearly every interest and passion.
The skills and knowledge gained through an exercise science program, combined with specialized certifications and real-world experience, provide a strong foundation for long-term career success. With the right education and certifications, you can turn your love for fitness and health into a fulfilling career that makes a lasting impact on others.
No matter where your journey takes you, the world of exercise science jobs is waiting, offering a chance to inspire, educate, and transform the lives of people through the power of physical activity and wellness.
FAQs
Is a job in exercise physiology in high demand?
Yes, jobs in exercise physiology are in high demand, especially as more people become aware of the importance of physical activity for maintaining overall health and managing chronic conditions. As the population ages and the focus on preventive healthcare grows, there is an increasing need for exercise physiologists to work in areas like cardiac rehabilitation, fitness training, and sports medicine. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for exercise physiologists is expected to grow faster than average in the coming years. Obtaining certifications such as the ACSM exercise physiologist certification can make you more competitive in this expanding field.
Is exercise science the same as kinesiology?
While exercise science and kinesiology share many similarities, they are not exactly the same. Both fields study human movement, but kinesiology focuses more on the biomechanics and anatomical aspects of movement, including the scientific study of muscles, joints, and body mechanics. On the other hand, exercise science is broader, incorporating kinesiology but also emphasizing the role of exercise in improving health, treating injuries, and enhancing athletic performance. Exercise science programs typically include a combination of topics like corrective exercise, cardiac rehabilitation, and health education, making it more focused on applied health and fitness fields.
What are the benefits of earning an exercise science degree?
Earning an exercise science degree can provide several benefits, including the ability to work in a rapidly growing field focused on health and wellness. You’ll gain specialized knowledge in areas like corrective exercise, cardiac rehabilitation, and sports science, which can help you make a positive impact on people’s lives. Additionally, the degree opens up a variety of career opportunities in sports, fitness, and health education, allowing for flexibility in your professional path.
How long does it take to complete an exercise science degree?
Typically, a bachelor’s degree in exercise science takes around four years to complete if you’re studying full-time. However, some students may choose to pursue an associate’s degree first, which typically takes two years. If you decide to pursue advanced education, such as a master’s degree or additional certifications, it may take longer depending on the program and your career goals.
Can an exercise science degree help me get into medical school?
Yes, an exercise science degree can serve as a strong foundation if you’re planning to apply to medical school. The degree provides a solid understanding of human biology, physiology, and anatomy, which are crucial for medical studies. Additionally, courses in exercise physiology and health science give you a deeper knowledge of how the body functions, which can be helpful in medical practice, especially in areas like sports medicine or physical therapy.