Featured image for post: What is Exercise Science (Kinesiology) and Why Get a Degree In It?

What is Exercise Science (Kinesiology) and Why Get a Degree In It?

Updated: October 14, 2024

Exercise is an essential part of a healthy life, but not many people realize that there is also a great deal of science behind this vital activity. People interested in the study of movement and how it affects the body should learn more about exercise science and the doors it can open. At Barton College, we offer a Bachelor of Science degree in this intriguing field, and we would love to share more information about it.

What is Exercise Science?

We all know that working out is good for us, but, for many people, that’s the extent of their knowledge on the subject. Exercise science digs into the facts about exercise, studying the anatomy and physiology of the body to better understand how movement affects people.
This knowledge helps students discern the most effective ways to exercise, how to avoid injury, how to build routines to strengthen the body, and how to help people fight back against disease. Students also learn about nutrition and how it can support fitness goals.

Career Fields for Exercise Science

What can you do with a degree in exercise science? There are a wide range of possibilities to consider. Some careers in this field require an advanced degree, but there are many options that are open to people with a B.S. in this discipline.. These jobs include:

  • Athletic director
  • Personal trainer
  • Fitness instructor
  • Golf performance coach
  • Health and wellness coach
  • Sports coach
  • Strength and conditioning trainer
  • Exercise physiologist
  • Health educator

Exercise science careers are a part of the growing surge in the field of healthcare. The number of jobs in this sector is predicted to increase between 11 and 16 percent by 2029.

Classes You Can Expect to Take for A Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science

At Barton College, our Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science is designed to give you a thorough grounding in the information behind this growing field. To ensure you have a solid understanding of the science involved, here are some of the classes you can look forward to taking:

  • Kinesiology
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Psychological and Sociological Bases of Sport
  • Concepts in Corrective Exercise
  • Exercise in Health and Disease
  • Health/Wellness Modern Society
  • Program Design and Implementation
  • Organizational Leadership and Administration of Sport and Health Sciences

Because exercise science is, by nature, a hands-on field, we also offer an internship program to give students the opportunity to gain real-world experience. These internships take place in a wide variety of settings, including:

  • Barton College Kennedy Recreation and Intramural Center with the Barton College athletic teams
  • Cooper Institute (Dallas, Texas)
  • EXOS/Athletes’ Performance Center (Raleigh, N.C.)
  • Fit 4 Life (Wilson, N.C.)
  • Inlet Fitness (Virginia Beach, Va.)
  • North Carolina State University Athletics Department (Raleigh, N.C.)
  • Regency Athletic Club (Wilson, N.C.)
  • Sports Center of Morehead City (N.C.)
  • The Little Gym (Asheville, N.C.)
  • University of Michigan Men’s Basketball Strength and Conditioning (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
  • Velocity Sports Performance (Raleigh, N.C.)
  • Victory Fitness (Wilson, N.C.)
  • ViQuest (Greenville, N.C.)
  • YMCA (Wilson, N.C.)

Come See How Barton College Can Help You Find Your Career Path Today!

If you’re interested in learning more about a degree in exercise science, we invite you to take a closer look at Barton College in Wilson, N.C., today. We are dedicated to providing an excellent education in a supportive environment. We believe in developing relationships to support our students and prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead. Our faculty works hard to provide the support and flexibility that students need to successfully complete online coursework and degrees that will propel them into careers they love.
For more information, please contact us today!

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