Exercise Science

Program Overview

Gain the practical skills and real-world experience needed to excel in the field of exercise science, preparing you for a successful career helping individuals of all ages and abilities improve their health, fitness, and overall well-being. As a graduate of UVM’s Exercise Science program, you will be prepared for careers in sport and fitness centers, employee wellness programs, community rehabilitation clinics, and other health settings.

• Lab-based coursework: Experience innovative body composition technology, metabolic cart and fitness testing, and cardiorespiratory outcomes assessment tools in our state-of-the-art facilities.
• Hands-on practice: Gain experience and practical knowledge that will prepare you for a successful career in the field of human performance and adapted physical activity.
• Professional experience: Develop your clinical skills under the guidance of experienced faculty in our senior capstone program. Choose from a variety of internship opportunities, including clinical, research, or community-based experiences. UVM’s affiliations with UVM Medical Center, Burlington YMCA, VASTA Physical Therapy and Performance, Special Olympics and other community settings provide opportunities for observation, knowledge application, and important professional skill practice. The Exercise Science Club provides additional experience, valuable networking opportunities with industry professionals, and access to conferences.
• Foundation for graduate study: Many students pursue advanced study options in health professions such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, public health, and clinical exercise physiology after completing the undergraduate program.

Accreditation

The University of Vermont’s Exercise Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES). The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is a sponsoring organization of the CoAES. The American College of Sports Medicine is considered the most prestigious and influential governing body in the field of Exercise Science. Starting in 2027, students will be required to graduate from a CAAHEP Accredited Exercise Science program to be eligible for advanced ACSM national certifications in Exercise Science.

Curriculum

As a student in UVM’s Exercise Science program, you will develop an in-depth understanding of the theory and application of exercise to health, fitness, and the prevention of disease, focusing on evidence-based science and practical experience to prepare you for success as an exercise science professional. You'll also take related coursework in nutrition and public health and can opt to include a minor or certificate in your program. 

A Model Curriculum in Exercise Science

First Year

• Applications to Health
• Intro to Public Health
• Foundations of Exercise and Health in Active Populations
• Fundamentals of Nutrition
• Principles of Biology
• Intro to Psychological Science
• Evidence-based Practice in Exercise Science
• Written Expression
• General Chemistry
• Catamount Core Electives

Second Year

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• Sports Nutrition
• Exercise and Sport Psychology
• Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• Applied Kinesiology
• Elements of Statistics
• Catamount Core Electives

Third Year

• Adapted Physical Activity
• Biomechanics of Human Movement
• Exercise Physiology
• Evaluation and Prescription
• Motor Skill Learning and Control
• Exercise Science Professional Seminar
• Human Performance and Ergogenic Aids
• Catamount Core Electives

Fourth Year

• Human Performance and Conditioning
• Exercise in Chronic Conditions
• Clinical Exercise Physiology
• Senior Capstone Experience
• Communicating Exercise Information
• Certified Exercise Physiologist or Science of Strength Training and Conditioning
• Lifestyle Medicine

Human Performance Labs

UVM is home to state-of-the-art exercise science facilities. Our Exercise Physiology Lab, Human Motion Analysis Lab, Adapted Physical Activity Lab, and Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Research Lab offer hands-on learning opportunities to apply classroom skills in real-world settings.

Admissions

Requirements for admission are the same as the general university requirements, with the addition that applicants must have taken high school biology, mathematics through trigonometry or precalculus, and chemistry.

Transfer information sessions are open to UVM students and students from outside of the university who are interested in transferring into our undergraduate majors.

Outcomes

The Exercise Science program aims to prepare competent entry-level Exercise Science professionals in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Students will be exposed to theoretical approaches and applied skills using current evidence-based science to appraise risk, assess physiological function, and develop exercise prescription for a variety of populations.

Upon completion of the B.S. degree, students will be able to:

• Understand physiological impact of physical activity on the human body.
• Evaluate physiological function and structure by conducting health and fitness assessments or measures.
• Integrate and apply exercise science principles in the implementation of preventative and prescriptive exercise and performance enhancing interventions for all individuals, including those with disability and chronic disease.
• Provide effective and individualized exercise counseling and behavioral strategies to support the adoption of- and adherence to health-promoting physical activity and exercise.
• Understand the science of movement control and biomechanics related to human motion.
• Understand the nutritional requirements and influences associated with physical activity and exercise and demonstrate competency in nutritional education.
• Critically examine and appraise current evidence-based exercise research and effectively communicate evidence-based information to various constituent groups.

Costs and Funding

More about tuition and scholarship opportunities.