We See Your Future in Exercise Science and Physical Education
Become a leader in exercise science and inspire others to live healthy lives with a B.S. in exercise science and physical education.
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Physical Education
Are you passionate about exercise and staying active? Do you dream of sharing that passion with others through teaching? Norfolk State University’s Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Physical Education will prepare you for an exciting career as an educator, fitness instructor or kinesiotherapist.
When you earn a degree in exercise science and physical education from NSU, you’ll be supported by a highly engaged community of faculty, students and alumni who are also committed to teaching and fostering healthy lifestyles.
A degree in exercise science and physical education made for you
We offer four unique degree tracks in exercise science and physical education so you can tailor your education to your career goals:
- Health and Physical Education
- Health Fitness Instructor
- Kinesiotherapy
- Health, Wellness and Rehabilitation
B.S. Exercise Science and Physical Education at a Glance
- Average Class Size: < 30
- Formats Offered: In Person, Hybrid
- Total Credit Hours: 120–128
View Exercise Science and Physical Education plans of study | Request more information | Apply now
Why Earn Your Exercise Science and Physical Education Degree at NSU?
For over 30 years, NSU’s accredited exercise science and physical education program has helped aspiring teachers, instructors and therapists develop their strengths and prepare for rewarding jobs for Exercise Science majors. As one of only two programs in the country that offer a concentration in kinesiotherapy, our exercise and physical education program is dedicated to helping you prepare for the specialized career of your dreams.
Work with experienced faculty
Take advantage of our small student-to-faculty ratio in our exercise science and physical education courses to work closely with faculty mentors who are nationally renowned in their fields and who run engaging classes that pull from their years of experience.
Get hands-on experience in your field
Each of our concentrations includes hands-on experiences in the form of student teaching and internships to provide you with the expertise to excel as a teacher and therapist. Students in the kinesiotherapy track will accrue a minimum of 1,000 hours in a clinical internship!
Access first-class facilities
In addition to two gyms, a swimming pool, a dance studio and regulation tennis courts, you’ll have access to our exercise science labs. They house state-of-the-art research equipment that you’ll use in your courses to master the tools to prepare you for fast-paced jobs for Exercise Science and Physical Education majors.
What Courses Will I Take as an Exercise Science and Physical Education Student?
When you earn your exercise science and physical education degree at NSU, you’ll build foundational knowledge in topics such as human anatomy and physiology, the latest teaching methods and classroom management.
Depending on your concentration, the degree in exercise science and physical education requires 120 to 128 credit hours that will be a mix of general core education, practice methods, practicums, social sciences and physical sciences to ensure that you’re a well-rounded teacher, instructor or therapist.
Some of the courses at the core of the exercise science and physical education degree program include:
- Foundation of Education
- Human Physiology
- Curriculum and Methods in Health Education
- Motor Learning
- • Human Growth and Development
- Coaching and Officiating
View the full exercise science and physical education curriculum.
Where Will My Degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education Take Me?
As an exercise scientist, you will use cutting-edge technology to assess and improve others’ levels of fitness and physical abilities. Physical educators work with children in grades K–12 to help them establish lifelong healthy habits that will impact their lives for years to come. If you’re interested in kinesiology, you will work wherever people with disabilities need treatment, including hospitals, clinics, camps and special schools for children with disabilities.
Many students who receive their bachelor’s degree in exercise science and physical education from NSU are accepted into prestigious graduate programs to continue improving their skills and increasing their career potentials.
Outlook for jobs for Exercise Science and Physical Education majors
Employment for exercise physiologists is predicted to grow by 13% over the next decade, about double that of other occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also predicts that jobs for fitness instructors will grow even faster, with a projected 39% growth over the same time!
Some of the exciting careers you can look forward to with an exercise science and physical education degree from NSU include:
- Physical education teacher
- Group fitness trainer
- Personal trainer
- Kinesiotherapist
- Coach
- Wellness teacher
- Sports therapist
How Do I Get Started in the Exercise Science and Physical Education Program at NSU?
Do you want to learn more about how to apply to Norfolk State University and find financial aid that’s right for you? Wondering about what kinds of opportunities there are to find jobs for Exercise Science and Physical Education majors? We have a dedicated team of advisors, counselors and staff who are here to help you as you start your journey to earning your degree in exercise science and physical education.
Learn more about the requirements for the exercise science and physical education degree program.
“I’m so glad I chose my major and completed the program. It was difficult but it was very much worth it, because now I am working in New York as an orthopedic practitioner. It never feels like work because I love what I do, and I love learning more and more. I still to this day talk about my major and the hours I had to complete because it was all hands-on stuff and that’s what I do every day 9–5 and I love it!”
– Oriente H. ’18, B.S. Exercise Science and Physical Education
Degree Programs Related to Exercise Science and Physical Education
Accreditation for Exercise Science and Physical Education at NSU
The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Physical Education at Norfolk State University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, which grants accreditation to institutions that meet its high standards for quality.
The Kinesiotherapy concentration is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Education in Kinesiotherapy.
Norfolk State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degrees.