Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Lawrence Township, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 61,215 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for international applicants studying in country | international applicants studying out of country: 15 june 2025
** for living on campus | living at home: 43,515 USD per year
Key Summary
Develop an understanding of how the body works and how exercise impacts physical performance and brain function. Bridge basic biology, exercise physiology, sports nutrition, and psychology through clinical applications. You’ll learn how to apply these scientific concepts to athletic and exercise performance and design effective fitness practices for individuals of all health, age, and fitness levels.
Program Overview
This program prepares students for both entry-level positions in health, fitness, and exercise science and as pre-professional training for a variety of healthcare-related programs (i.e., athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy). Graduates of this program will be prepared to assess, design, and implement individual and group exercise and fitness programs for both healthy individuals and those with controlled disease. In addition to knowledge and skills associated with physiology, exercise science professionals also must be knowledgeable and skilled in evaluating health behaviors and behavior modification and motivation techniques necessary to promote and maintain positive lifestyle behaviors.
Rider achieves this through small class and laboratory sizes, allowing direct, hands-on instruction and faculty accessibility. Students also have opportunities to do research with faculty via work study or independent study. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who provides academic advice and career guidance tailored to the student's needs. Students completing this program will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for entry-level exercise science employment in the public and private industries and/or graduate study in related areas.
Students may be eligible for a number of nationally recognized certifications in the field (i.e., American College of Sports Medicine Certification, National Strength and Conditioning Association, National Academy of Sports Medicine) and may pursue employment in various healthcare and/or public health settings in and around exercise and healthy lifestyle interventions. Students will also be able to use their degree as a platform for a wide range of graduate degree programs, including, but not limited to: physical therapy, exercise physiology, physician’s assistant, occupational therapy, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and public health.
Flex your knowledge beyond the classroom.
Put your learned techniques and wellness strategies to work on diverse patient populations, including athletes from Rider’s 21 NCAA Division I sports teams, and benefit from faculty-led research projects and hands-on internship opportunities, including a presence at state, regional, and national conferences. You will have many opportunities to gain hands-on experience with Rider’s 21 Division I athletic teams.
Rider’s financial aid office works with families to ensure an undergraduate education is affordable at every income level. Scholarship and aid award offers are customized to fit your unique financial circumstances.
To get a full picture of the scholarships, grants, and other aid that you may be eligible to receive, apply to Rider and transmit your FAFSA using federal school code 002628. Merit-based scholarships and aid are automatically awarded when you apply, and once we receive your FAFSA, the Office of Financial Aid can help identify additional resources to fund your education.
Scholarships and Awards
The scholarships below are competitive and are typically awarded based on a comprehensive review of the student's academic record, including cumulative high school GPA, rigor of academic course selection, test scores, and auditions (if applicable), and other supporting credentials.
| Scholarships Awards | Award Range | Maximum value over 4 years |
|---|---|---|
| Merit-based scholarships | $14,000 - $27,000 annually | Variable based on financial aid offer. Students who meet the criteria and qualifications for a scholarship automatically receive the award upon admission to Rider. No additional scholarship application is required. |
To be considered for a merit-based academic scholarship, you must:
- Apply to Rider: Submit your completed application for admission, including official transcripts, standardized test scores (unless applying test-optional), essay, and one letter of recommendation by January 15. (Note: the final deadline is November 15th for all Musical Theatre and Acting applicants.)
- Rider offers Test-optional Admission, which means SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission and most scholarships at Rider. Test-optional applicants will be given full consideration for most merit-based scholarships.
- Are you a high achiever? Students with a 4.0 GPA and 1300+ SAT/28+ ACT score may be eligible to receive the maximum merit-based scholarship offer of $27,000. You must submit your SAT/ACTs to Rider in order to qualify for this award level.
- Complete an audition, if required (audition results are a factor in scholarship awards).
- Be regularly admissible to the University as a full-time student.
- Have a minimum cumulative academic 2.7 GPA (unweighted) on a 4.0 scale.
For New Jersey residents, the Rider Tuition Guarantee:
Rider guarantees free tuition for qualified in-state students! If you're a New Jersey resident with a GPA of 3.5 or above based on a 4.0 grading scale, an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less, and are receiving both full TAG and Pell grants, you may be eligible to attend Rider University tuition-free when you apply as an undergraduate student for the fall 2025 or spring 2026 start terms. Terms and conditions apply.
Visit our website to learn more about the scholarships and aid opportunities.
The curriculum is designed to allow flexibility to customize the program by selecting courses in both foundational and core content areas based on the individual’s personal and professional goals. Rider’s science faculty is research-oriented and encourages students to take advantage of opportunities to engage in independent research. Two concentrations are identified, each with a selected set of courses that prepare students for their intended career path: Four career paths are identified, each with a selected set of courses that best meet that program:
- Practitioner Concentration: designed for those wanting to pursue careers as fitness professionals, corporate health and wellness specialists, and strength and conditioning professionals.
- Pre-Professional Concentration: designed for students wanting to pursue additional training in Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, or other healthcare-related programs. Students should consult with their faculty advisor regarding the requirements for each career path option.
Major Requirements
Exercise Science Foundation
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I and Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab
- Human Anatomy & Physiology II and Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab
- Introduction to the Science of Exercise and Introduction to the Science of Exercise Lab
- Exercise Injury Control and Management
- Introduction to Health Professions
- Introduction to Human Nutrition
- Kinesiology and Kinesiology Lab
- Exercise Physiology and Exercise Physiology Laboratory
- Introduction to Psychology
Or Psychology: The Science of Well-being - Sport Psychology
or Health Psychology - Algebra and Trigonometry (or a higher-level MTH course)
Statistics (Select one of the following):
- Biostatistics and Biostatistics Lab
- Statistics and Research Design (requires PSY 105 as a prerequisite)
- Introduction to Applied Statistics
- Statistical and Computer Applications in the Natural Sciences
Practitioner Concentration EXS Professional
(strength and conditioning, corporate fitness, wellness, personal training, exercise professional)
- Survey of General Chemistry and Survey of General Chemistry Lab
- Nutrition for Exercise and Physical Activity
- Exercise Science Practicum 1
- Exercise Testing & Prescription and Exercise Testing & Prescription - Lab
- Foundations of Strength and Conditioning and Foundations of Strength and Conditioning Lab
- Exercise Science Practicum 2
- Organization and Administration in Exercise Science
- Special Populations & Considerations
- Internship in Exercise Science
Pre-Professional Concentration (Pre PT, AT, OT, PA)
- Principles of Biology I and Principles of Biology I Lab
- Principles of Biology II and Principles of Biology II Lab
- Nutrition for Exercise and Physical Activity
or Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab - Special Populations & Considerations
or Principles of Biology: Evolution, Diversity, and Biology of Cells and Principle of Biology: Cells Lab - Organization and Administration in Exercise Science
or Medical Microbiology and Microbiology Lab - Exercise Testing & Prescription and Exercise Testing & Prescription - Lab
or Foundations of Strength and Conditioning and Foundations of Strength and Conditioning Lab
Complete one of the following Physics course sequences:
A.
- Principles of Physics I and Principles of Physics I Lab
- Principles of Physics II and Principles of Physics II Lab
Or B.
- General Physics I and General Physics I Lab
- General Physics II and General Physics II Lab
Complete one of the following Chemistry course sequences:
A.
- Principles of Chemistry and Principles of Chemistry Lab
- Intro to Chemical Systems and Quantitative Methods Lab
Or B.
- Survey of General Chemistry and Survey of General Chemistry Lab
- Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry and Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry Lab
- Independent Study: Research and Creative Expression
or an Internship in Exercise Science
After completing this program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge in foundational concepts of exercise science.
- Demonstrate competency in the following domains for both healthy and clinical populations: pre-participation risk stratification, fitness assessment and evaluation, evidence based exercise prescription, and safe/appropriate exercise technique.
- Articulate the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the delivery of evidence based exercise programming in contemporary health care.
- Communicate effectively in both the written and spoken word, commensurate with expectations in the field.
- Act within the ethical and legal parameters of Exercise Science.
Take the next step
Graduate ready to begin a career as a corporate wellness consultant, fitness trainer, cardiac rehab therapist or performance coach. Your degree also will provide the foundation for graduate study or professional certifications in a range of programs. Graduates of the program will be prepared for national certifications (i.e., NSCA CSCS, NASM PES and CES, ACE personal training, Group Exercise and Health Coaching.)
Careers you could pursue with a degree in exercise science are listed below. Click on those career titles that are linked to watch professionals in the field share their personal career experience and advice.
- Athletic trainer*
- Clinical exercise physiologist*
- Nutrition & Dietetics*
- Exercise/nutrition educator
- Physician’s assistant*
- Physical therapist*
- Occupational therapist*
- Fitness Program leader
- Public health*
- High school or college strength and conditioning coach
- Personal trainer
- Group fitness leader
- Corporate fitness and wellness
*Additional certification or education required