Two male students studying anatomy models.

Exercise Science—BS

Exercise Your Passion for the Health Sciences

If you are motivated to empower others through restoring physiological health or promoting overall wellness, a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Michigan Tech will provide you with a strong scientific basis for developing an eye toward disease and injury prevention.

There is a critical need for health care providers trained to help people manage chronic conditions and address lifestyle-related epidemics, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The professionals on the front lines of advancing preventative care include physical therapists, chiropractors, physicians, and personal trainers.

As an exercise science major, you will attain exceptional preparation for any health or allied health career pathway. Our versatile degree supports a wide range of professional interests—from coaching people in achieving their individual fitness, nutritional, or athletic goals; to rehabilitating patients with injuries or physical conditions; to treating and preventing disease through traditional or alternative medicine; and many other career aspirations.

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95%

placement rate for graduates into physical therapy school
90%

placement rate for graduates into medical school
15

maximum class size in advanced level major courses
Top 20
Best Public College in the US (Wall Street Journal, 2024)

Fit For Your Future: Tomorrow Needs Exercise Science Professionals

Kickstart your career. There is a critical need for health care providers trained to help people manage chronic conditions and address lifestyle-related epidemics, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The professionals on the front lines of advancing preventative care include physical therapists, chiropractors, physicians, and personal trainers. A degree in exercise science from Michigan Tech opens doors. In our rigorous program—oriented toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education—you will explore the disciplines that underpin human physiology, the mechanics of human movement, motor learning, and more. And be ready for what tomorrow needs.

Pre-Health Professions Pathway for Exercise Science Majors

Approximately 70 percent of our exercise science graduates go on to a professional program in graduate education within the health sciences. Allocate your free electives to a pre-health minor and prepare for admission into health professional programs.

Exercise science majors with a pre-health minor can take advantage of many professional program partnerships. For instance, you can get your Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Central Michigan University. If medical school is your goal, you can get an earlier decision when you apply to Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine Early Assurance Program.

Some of the options our exercise science graduates pursue are:

Athletic Training
Chiropractic Medicine
Medicine
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Physician Assistant
Sports Psychology

Career Opportunities for Exercise Science Majors

Approximately 30 percent of our exercise science graduates go directly into the workforce upon graduation (additional certification may be required). Some of the careers open to you with a BS in Exercise Science:

Athletic Coaching
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Fitness Coordination
Massage Therapy
Medical Technology
Personal Training
Respiratory or Cardiopulmonary Therapy
Sports Nutrition

Companies Hiring Michigan Tech Exercise Science Majors

This is just a sampling of companies who have hired our graduates:

Aspirus Medical Group
Centura Health
Concordia University-St. Paul
Denver Nuggets
Detroit Red Wings
Lake Superior State
Mayo Clinic
Medical College of Wisconsin
San Diego State University
University of Connecticut
UP Health System

Earn an Accelerated Master’s Degree in Just 1 Extra Year

Highly motivated students can earn a master’s degree in kinesiology in as little as one additional year of study beyond a bachelor’s. Accelerated master’s students graduate prepared for various careers in kinesiology that require advanced training, such as in industry, teaching, independent research, or continued graduate work.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying exercise science at Michigan's flagship technological university.

I chose exercise science because of the opportunity to pursue a career in physical therapy, as well as the small class sizes that help to make connections with the professors.

Watch Adison's Video

Adison Cook, ‘20

BS Exercise Science

Student Learning Goals

When you complete our bachelor's of science exercise science degree, you can expect to graduate with the following:

Fundamental knowledge of the sciences which comprise the field: motor behavior, biomechanics of human movement, exercise physiology, and exercise psychology.
Fundamental knowledge in the scientific areas of biology, anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics.
Cultural awareness of differences and sensitivity to varying cultural beliefs, learning styles, cultural backgrounds and diverse physical, emotional, and personal goals needs.
Well-developed critical thinking and problem solving abilities.
Well-developed oral and written communication skills.
Understanding of the rules of scientific writing, plagiarism, citation, and literature review.
Fundamental knowledge of current technologies and ability to adapt their uses in a lab/classroom setting.
Knowledge necessary to address and act on moral, ethical and legal questions.

Study Exercise Science at a Technological University

As an exercise science student at Michigan Tech, you will build knowledge and research foundations required to succeed in kinesiology and exercise science. Our human health, body-centered curriculum integrates rigorous learning with high-impact clinical and applied experiences to prepare students for advanced health-professional education.

Get personalized attention: With a student-faculty ratio of 5:1, our smaller department ensures your academic advisors and professors know you and understand your interests and needs.
Engage in research: Become involved in a research project under the direction of a faculty member. Whether you are planning to go to graduate school or pursue a graduate health career upon graduation, one of the factors that gives our students an edge is the opportunity to engage in research as an undergraduate student and gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art research instrumentation.
Jumpstart your career: Working one-on-one with your advisor, understand how to develop your career path, from student internships to post-graduation employment. Develop networks and presentation/interview skills at professional industry conferences and events. Our undergraduates complete an internship before their senior year & it’s also a reason why the placement rate for our graduates into physical therapy and medical school exceeds 90%.
Get engaged: Utilize your interest in exercise science by getting involved with the Enterprise Program—teams of undergraduate students working on real-world products and research for industry. The H-STEM Enterprise is popular with exercise science majors. Or get involved with any number of student organizations—over 70 sports clubs, Pre-Health Association; and more.

Undergraduate Majors in Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem.
Just declare the General Sciences and Arts major, give yourself time, and decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more speak to an academic advisor.

Undergraduate Minors and Certificates

Want a future career in medicine? A minor in Pre-Health prepares you for graduate school. Want to find out how everyone's health is interdependent? A minor in Public Health is available for our students across many disciplines. Want to become a coach? Gain practical coaching experience through our coaching fundamentals minor or coaching certificate. You can declare a major anytime, but it is recommended you begin your minor studies as early as possible in your academic career. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your human health skills to meet the demands of an increasingly active and aging society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math.

The research and the anatomical-based program have given me the perfect foundation for the next chapter in my life, Physical Therapy school. I couldn’t have made it through without the supportive community at MTU.

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Emma DeBaeke ‘21