Nova Southeastern University Undergraduate Programs
B.S. Exercise and Sport Science
Fort Lauderdale, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
USD 33,510
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Scholarships
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Introduction
Gain a Competitive Advantage for Your Fitness-Focused Career
Turn your passion for health and fitness into a rewarding career. Nova Southeastern University’s B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science gives you the knowledge and real-world experiences you need to understand the movement sciences—kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and more. You’ll gain a competitive advantage through working with experts in the field and using state-of-the-art equipment.
At NSU, you’ll have a number of opportunities to work directly with physically active populations. You’ll learn how to understand your body as well as the bodies of everyone you work with. NSU prepares you for any workplace setting, and because many of your professors are currently working in the field, they are able to share real-world stories and encounters to help you prepare. At the end of the program, you’ll be more than ready to land an exciting job, pursue a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification (or related certifications), or advance even further by entering a professional graduate program in exercise sciences and other fields.
Why Should You Major in Exercise and Sport Science at NSU?
- Earn specialized internships, independent study, and practicum experiences.
- NSU’s Exercise and Sport Science program is endorsed by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in the area of Strength and Conditioning.
- Work closely with NSU’s full-time faculty, all of whom are certified in various specializations of the exercise and sport science field.
- Assist in performance testing and functional training of NSU’s student-athletes.
- Offers an Advanced Strength and Conditioning course that prepares you to sit for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Core Courses
- Health and Fitness
- Sports Nutrition
- Strength & Conditioning
- Biology/Lab
- Anat. & Phys. I/Lab
- Anat. & Phys. II/Lab
- General Chemistry/Lab
- Exercise and Sports Medicine
- Introduction to Exercise Science
- Sports Neuroscience
- Biomechanics of Human Movement/Lab
- Kinesiology
- Exercise Physiology/Lab
- Exercise Prescription/Lab
- Adapted Physical Education
- Motor Learning/Lab
- Research Methods in Sports and PE
- Exercise and Sport Administration
- Advanced Strength and Conditioning
- Practicum in Exercise Science
- General Physic/Lab
Major Electives
- Emergency Care and First Aid
- Adapted Community Fitness Programming
- Sports Supplements for Athletic Performance
- Special Topics in Exercise and Sport Science
- Internship in Exercise and Sport Science
- Independent Study in Exercise and Sport Science
Experiential Learning/Internships
During your undergraduate studies, you’ll have a number of hands-on opportunities to gain real-world experience. In previous years, Exercise and Sport Science students have been invited to assist with veteran players of the Florida Panthers hockey team, performing fitness assessments and identifying injury risk and areas of improvement. Students have opportunities to put theory into practice, as was the case with a group who assisted with pre-season screenings at the St. Louis Cardinals’ training camp.
Independent Study
Select and independently carry out the library and/or empirical research. Faculty supervision is provided on an individual basis. Independent study opportunities are available every fall and winter, with prerequisites to be determined by the faculty and the division director.
Internship/Practicum
Exercise and sport science majors are required to complete a work experience internship/practicum for 16 weeks in their area of study or career interest. Some companies where students have gotten internships include the Exceptional Fitness Foundation, BARWIS Performance Centers, People's First PT, Bommarito Performance Systems, the Florida Panthers, and UFC Gym.
Internship
The Exercise and Sport Science internship is a work experience for 16 weeks in the student's major area of study or area of career interest.
Practicum
This core course places students in the workplace with the expectation that the experience will allow them the opportunity to apply and integrate content from all the courses in the program. Workplace site selection is based upon individual student goals and include, but are not limited to, rehabilitation facilities, professional fitness centers, sport performance centers, senior centers, and wellness centers (corporate and community). The Practicum Director and site supervisors will evaluate students’ performances throughout the semester. Additionally, registration for national certification in the exercise science field (i.e. NSCA-CSCS) is required prior to the completion of the course.
The Clinic Exploration Program
Additionally, the Clinic Exploration Program (CEP) offers students the opportunity to shadow medical professionals on the job in many of NSU’s medical and health clinics. Program participants gain a broad perspective that shows how various medical fields work together and a practical, up-close review of several medical career options.
All undergraduate students may take part in CEP, no matter what major they pursue. Each rotation lasts two hours per week, for three weeks. Because this is a volunteer program, member commitments are flexible and voluntary.
Program Outcome
A successful exercise and sport science graduate is expected to:
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills related to the areas of physical activity, movement sciences, and sport through practical experiences;
- Obtain knowledge of content area specific to chosen career goals, such as strength and conditioning specialist, coaching, and corporate fitness and wellness, through didactic and internship experiences;
- Demonstrate the importance of the physical, psychological, and emotional demands of physically active individuals through didactic and practicum experience.
Career Opportunities
Become an Exercise Specialist, Fitness and Wellness Coordinator or Sports Performance Researcher
With your degree in exercise and sport science, you can pursue research-related careers, like laboratory technician, research assistant, and research scientist, or become a leader in a variety of professional positions, including clinical exercise scientist, fitness manager, and exercise physiologist.
If you’re interested in sports training, NSU can help prepare you for a career as a strength and conditioning coach, speed-agility-quickness coach, personal trainer for high-level athletes, and more. There are also a variety of opportunities open to you within fitness and wellness programs with clients of all ages and fitness levels.
If you’re interested in training athletes, NSU’s B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science degree program offers an Advanced Strength and Conditioning course that’s geared towards preparing you to pass the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam. The CSCS is the premier certification in the field of strength and conditioning.
Average Starting Salary
According to a 2020 report from PayScale.com, graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science make an average of $59,605 per year.
Shark Destinations
NSU exercise and sport science alumni start their careers at organizations like CrossFit Downtown Miami, Boca West Country Club, Fit Speed, Youfit Health Clubs, Svetness, Stretch Zone Bloomfield, Special Olympics Florida, and CHG Healthcare. Many choose to continue their studies to obtain an advanced degree from NSU. A few popular master’s degree programs include M.S. in Sports Science and M.S. in Nutrition.