Be a Champion of Health with a Degree in Exercise Science
Are you passionate about health and wellness or fitness and exercise? Do you want to help others achieve their goals and live out their healthiest lives? We do too! That’s why we’ve created our exercise science degree programs to help you pursue your passions in an exciting and fulfilling career.
Liberty’s Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science is CAAHEP accredited.
Check out how our exercise science students are doing:
Our exercise science program offers multiple specializations where you can learn how to help athletes reach their peak physical fitness by working as a fitness professional.
Our therapeutic science specialization provides a strong foundation for pursuing future graduate-level health science careers such as athletic training, chiropractic, dietician, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or even someone who works with prosthetics!
So what are you waiting for? Start following your passions today to lead a life that promotes the wellness and health of others.
Award-Winning Campus
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education that equips students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence helped us rank among Niche.com’s Top 3 college campuses in America. Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Why Choose Liberty’s Exercise Science Program?
By pursuing one of our exercise science degrees, you can have confidence that your program is both highly esteemed and challenging. You’ll learn from exercise science professionals, get hands-on experience, and work with some of the latest technology in the field.
Our exercise science program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This ensures that our program meets rigorous standards to help provide you with a high-quality education.
We are also excited about one of our greatest assets at Liberty—our professors. These professors have many years of experience in a wide range of exercise science-related fields. In addition to teaching courses full time, many professors also continue to work part-time in their discipline to incorporate real-world and practical experiences in the classroom. They are here to mentor, guide, and support you throughout your academic journey to help you achieve your goals.
Additionally, we want to make sure that while you’re here, you get hands-on experience. With our laboratory and internship courses, you can gain practical experience in your field by the time you graduate. In our laboratory classes which are held in our Human Performance Lab, Biomechanics and Motion Analysis Lab, Functional Assessment Labs, Athletic Training Teaching Lab, and Standardized Patient Assessment Labs, you can use state-of-the-art technology in sport and exercise science.
What Are the Benefits of Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science?
- Our exercise science program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- Our professors have years of experience in a wide range of health and fitness fields.
- You can gain hands-on experience with laboratory and internship opportunities.
- Our Human Performance Lab, Biomechanics and Motion Analysis Lab, Functional Assessment Labs, Athletic Training Teaching Lab, and Standardized Patient Assessment Labs will ensure you are on the cutting edge of technology in your field.
- Our students exceed the national pass rate on the American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiologist Certification (ACSM EP-C) exam and the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA CSCS) exam.
![](https://dcfwfuaf91uza.cloudfront.net/residential/wp-content/uploads/Benefits-of-Exercise-Science.jpg)
Potential Career Opportunities for Exercise Science Graduates
- Athletic trainer*
- Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation fitness specialist
- Chiropractor*
- Exercise physiologist
- Fitness facility of wellness center owner/operator
- Occupational therapist*
- Personal trainer
- Physician*
- Physician assistant*
- Physical therapist*
- Prosthetics specialist*
- Registered dietician*
- Strength and conditioning coach
*These careers require graduate-level education after completion of your bachelor’s degree.
![](https://dcfwfuaf91uza.cloudfront.net/residential/wp-content/uploads/Career-Opportunities-for-Exercise-Science-Graduates-scaled.jpg)
Exercise Science Bachelor’s Degree Information
- Residential
- 120 – 127 total credit hours depending on which concentration you choose
- Transfer in up to 75% of your total degree
- This program falls under the School of Health Sciences
- View our course catalog
![](https://dcfwfuaf91uza.cloudfront.net/residential/wp-content/uploads/Exercise-Science.jpg)
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Exercise Science Specializations
2 different concentrations allow you to pursue the courses that best match your personal and professional goals.
Fitness Specialist
Follow your passions and jumpstart your career in the world of fitness by pursuing our Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science – Fitness Specialist degree.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Career Opportunities
- Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation fitness specialist
- Exercise physiologist
- Fitness/wellness facility owner/operator
- Personal trainer
![](https://dcfwfuaf91uza.cloudfront.net/residential/wp-content/uploads/fitness-specialist.jpg)
Therapeutic Science
Get prepared for graduate school in the allied health professions by pursuing our Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science – Therapeutic Science degree.
Please note: This program is 127 credit hours long.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Career Opportunities
- Athletic trainer*
- Chiropractor*
- Occupational therapist*
- Physician*
- Physician assistant*
- Physical therapist*
- Prosthetics specalist*
- Registered dietician*
*These careers require graduate-level education after completion of your bachelor’s degree.
![](https://dcfwfuaf91uza.cloudfront.net/residential/wp-content/uploads/Therapeutic-science.jpg)
Exercise Science: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is my academic advisor for Exercise Science?
- What is the recommended course sequence that I should take each semester?
- What are the differences between the Therapeutic Science, Fitness Specialist, and Strength & Conditioning concentrations?
- How do I apply to the Exercise Science program?
- Where can I get CPR and First Aid Certified on Campus?
- What Clubs on campus are most popular among Exercise Science students?
- What is required to take the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) exam in EXSC 485?
- What minimum score do I need to earn on the EP-C exam in order to graduate?
- What minimum score do I need to earn on the EP-C exam in order to become certified?
- Can I take the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam (EXSC 486) instead of the ACSM EP-C exam (EXSC 485)?
- What score do I need to earn on the CSCS exam in order to graduate?
- What score do I need to earn on the CSCS exam in order to become certified?
- Why can’t I sign up for a class?
- Can I take classes online?
- How do I sign up for online classes?
- Can I take summer classes?
- Can I take a class at a community college and transfer it into Liberty?
- Am I considered a junior or a senior?
- Can I substitute a class?
- Can I walk in May with remaining classes?
- Is there a Fall/Winter graduation ceremony held at Liberty University?
- Will I graduate if I have not completed my Christian Service (CSER) hours?
- How do I get into a class that is full?
- Where do I find the form for add/drop, course sub, etc.?
- If I need a prerequisite override, how is this obtained?
- Can I do an independent study?
- Will this class be offered next semester?
- Can I take more than 18 credits during a semester?
- Can I withdraw from a residential general education class and pick it up online during the same semester?
- How do I withdraw from a class?
- Do I have a hold on my account?
Who is my academic advisor for Exercise Science?
Freshman and Sophomore Advisor: Mrs. Natalie Peyton (located in DeMoss Hall 1100) ngauguste@liberty.edu
Junior and Senior Advisors: Based on the first letter of the student’s last name:
A-B: Dr. David Titcomb (Science Hall T013) dtitcomb@liberty.edu
C-F: Mr. Justin Kilian (Science Hall T022) jrkilian@liberty.edu
G-K: Dr. Jeff Lowes (Science Hall T026) jnlowes@liberty.edu
L-N: Mr. Jessi Glauser (Center for Natural Sciences, Room T02C) jglauser@liberty.edu
Q-S: Dr. David Horton (Science Hall T024) dhorton@liberty.edu
T-Z: Dr. Stephen Eakin (Science Hall T023) sweakin@liberty.edu
What are the recommended course sequences that I should take each semester?
Please see the following CASAS webpage for course sequences. (Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the following webpage and select the year that you declared your major as EXSC. Then scroll down to Exercise Science degree, select your concentration)
Course prerequisites are listed in the course catalog as well as on a prerequisite sheet that is posted on the EXSC webpage.
See your advisor with any further questions.
What are the differences between the Therapeutic Science and Fitness Specialist concentrations?
The Therapeutic Science Concentration is designed for students planning on attending graduate school for healthcare-related master’s or doctoral degree programs after completing the exercise science undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree.
The Therapeutic Science Concentration requires 20 credit hours of science courses. Students can select these from the following list: General Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics. Students should select the appropriate general science courses which pertain to the prerequisites to the graduate school(s) they will be applying to. Students should begin looking at graduate school prerequisites during freshman and sophomore years to be prepared to apply to graduate school having taken the appropriate courses their senior year.
In addition, the Therapeutic Science Concentration includes these courses:
- ATTR 205 Musculoskeletal Term. and Clinical Documentation
- ATTR 330 Clinical Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Function
- ATTR 331 Clinical Musculoskeletal Anatomy Lab
- ATTR 335 Musculoskeletal Injury Assessment
- ATTR 336 Musculoskeletal Injury Assessment Lab
- ATTR 405 Theory of Therapeutic Rehabilitation
- ATTR 425 Healthcare Evidenced-Based Research Analysis
- MATH 201 Statistics
- General Science Courses: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
The Fitness Specialist concentration has these unique courses:
- EXSC 315 Group Exercise Instruction
- EXSC 345 Applied Strength Training and Conditioning
- PHED 101 Physical Fitness
- A PHED activity course
How do I apply to the Exercise Science program?
Please see the Admissions and Retention Guidelines document located at the bottom of the exercise science website for instructions.
Where can I get CPR and First Aid Certified on Campus?
Combined first aid/CPR/AED certification:
Available through CASAS at LU. Offered regularly throughout the semester (the course is 4 hours long). Sign up online on the CASAS continuing education website.
Combined First Aid/CPR/AED certification plus college credit hours for course: HLTH 205 HLTH 205: offered Fall, January, Spring, Summer
What clubs on campus are most popular among Exercise Science students?
- Powerlifting Club
- Pre-Physical Therapy Club
- Pre-Occupational Therapy Club
- Pre-Physician Assistant Club
- Pre-Med Club
What is required to take the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) exam in EXSC 485?
This certification exam is taken by EXSC students prior to the internship their Senior year and is part of the EXSC 485 course. Please see the exercise science website for more information.
What minimum score do I need to earn on the EP-C exam in order to graduate? 480/800
What minimum score do I need to earn on the EP-C exam in order to become certified? 550/800
Can I take the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam (EXSC 486) instead of the ACSM EP-C exam (EXSC 485)?
Yes. Students may choose to complete either EXSC 486 or EXSC 485 prior to their internship. For more information about the workshop and course, contact Professor Justin Kilian: jrkilian@liberty.edu.
What score do I need to earn on the CSCS exam in order to graduate? Minimum of 60% in both sections of the exam.
What score do I need to earn on the CSCS exam in order to become certified? 70% or higher in both sections of the exam.
Why can’t I sign up for a class?
If you are unable to sign up for a class on ASIST, you will see an error message that explains why you cannot sign up for the class. The most common errors are prerequisite errors and campus restriction errors. The prerequisite error means that you do not meet the academic qualifications to take the course. If you have met the prerequisite, contact the professor of the course you are wanting to take. The campus restriction error means that the class is an online class.
If you have a 2.0 or higher GPA, you can take classes online. If you live on campus, you need at least 3 credit hours residentially. If you are an international student, you need at least 9 credit hours residentially. There are no undergraduate residential exercise science courses offered online, however, most of the general studies courses that are listed on the left side of the DCP are offered online and residential.
How do I sign up for online classes?
You can sign up for online classes from the Registrar’s Office webpage.
Yes, Liberty University offers summer classes both residentially and online every summer.
Exercise courses (residential only) that are typically available in the summer: 310, 320, 321, 340, 350, 351, 410/411, 499.
Can I take a class at a community college and transfer it into Liberty?
If the community college is an accredited college within the state of Virginia, you can go to the registrar’s website and use the VCCS Transfer Guide to see the course equivalencies. If you are taking the course elsewhere, you will need prior approval by filling out a form with the Registrar’s Office. For help with this form, you can call the office at (434) 592-5100.
Am I considered a junior or a senior?
As soon as you reach 48 credit hours, you are considered a junior. As soon as you reach 72 completed credit hours, you are considered a senior. You can see your total completed credit hours on ASIST.
If you want to substitute a class outside of the EXSC major, you will need the department chair’s signature on a Completed Course Evaluation form. If you want to substitute a class in the EXSC major, you can send your Completed Course Evaluation form to the Director of EXCS, Dr. Titcomb, and the Chair of Health Professions Department, Dr. Jim Schoffstall.
Can I walk in May with remaining classes?
If you will have 2 or fewer courses and are enrolled in those courses for the summer, you can participate in the May commencement ceremony. One of those courses can be EXSC 499, however, the other course cannot be another EXSC course. All other EXSC courses need to be completed before your internship. You will not have your degree conferred or your diploma sent until you have successfully completed all coursework and CSER requirements.
Is there a Fall/Winter graduation ceremony held at Liberty University?
Not currently.
Will I graduate if I have not completed my Christian Service (CSER) hours?
No. Your degree will not be officially conferred until you have successfully completed all CSER requirements.
How do I get into a class that is full?
You can only enroll in a class that is full if the professor of the class agrees to sign you into the class. You will need either their signature on an add/drop form or an email to the registrar from the professor of the course granting you permission.
Where do I find the form for add/drop, course sub, etc.?
This form is located on the LU Registrars webpage under Registrar Forms.
If I need a prerequisite override, how is this obtained?
These are only approved in special circumstances and must have department chair approval which is obtained by completing a prerequisite override form on the LU Registrars webpage under Registrar Forms
Can I do an independent study?
To complete an independent study, you need approval from the instructor, department chair, and dean. This process should be started the semester prior. The independent study form is found on the Registrar’s page under Registrar Forms, “Independent Study Form”.
Will this class be offered next semester?
All undergraduate exercise science courses are offered each fall and spring semester.
For all other class availability questions, please go to the Registrar’s page and view the links under “Announcements”.
Can I take more than 18 credits during a semester?
To take 19-20 hours per semester, you must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and have department chair approval. To take 21 hours per semester, you must have a 3.5 GPA or higher and have the dean’s approval.
Can I withdraw from a residential general education class and pick it up online during the same semester?
No. Liberty policy does not allow students to attempt a class more than once per semester.
How do I withdraw from a class?
To withdraw from a class, please contact your professional advisor. Refer to the staff listing on the CASAS website to view your advisor’s contact information. Note that this must be done before the withdrawal deadline which is listed on the University’s academic calendar.
Do I have a hold on my account?
Students can see if they have a hold on their account by logging into ASIST. Select the “student” tab, then click on the “Student Records” link. From there, you can select “View Holds”. Faculty can use CRM to view holds by clicking the Banner link within a student’s record.
Revised 10/2020
Admission Requirements to Enroll at Liberty University
Every application is reviewed by the admission committee on a case-by-case basis, meaning there are no set minimums for acceptance. However, all applicants must submit the following documents* for admission:
- Admission application
- Official high school transcripts
- Official college transcripts (if applicable)
- Results from the CLT, SAT, or ACT are not required for admission, but may be used in consideration for merit-based aid.
- Admission essay
*Note that additional documentation may be requested by the admission committee after your application has been received.
For Current Liberty University Exercise Science Students Applying for Admittance into the Program
The Exercise Science program has additional admission requirements to be admitted to the program. For more information, review our Admission and Retention Guidelines.
What Will You Learn in Our Exercise Science Program?
While you’re studying in our exercise science program, you can receive all the knowledge and training you need to succeed in either a fitness specialist position or in the graduate school of your choice. We have provided a curriculum that is foundational to your future career and education.
Regardless of which degree specialization you choose, you’ll take many exercise science and other related courses, including:
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Prescription
- Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning
- Exercise Leadership
- Musculoskeletal Terminology and Clinical Documentation
- Physiology of Exercise
Our fitness specialist and strength and conditioning concentrate on exercise physiology, human performance, fitness, and strength training/conditioning. If you decide to choose our therapeutic science concentration, you will also take additional courses in general sciences (biology, chemistry, physics), clinical musculoskeletal anatomy, injury assessment, theory of therapeutic rehabilitation, and healthcare research.
Check out our featured courses below for more information about what you’ll learn!
Featured Courses
EXSC 101- Introduction to Exercise Science
Here’s what you can learn:
- An overview of the professions in the field of exercise science
- Career opportunities within exercise science and allied health
- Various aspects of careers, determining requirements for advanced study, and learning what coursework would be appropriate for the different career paths
EXSC 310 – Physiology of Exercise
Here’s what you can learn:
- A study of the effects of exercise on the major systems of the human body, including cardiorespiratory, neuro-muscular, glandular, and digestive
- Other effects influencing human exercise, including climate, altitude, and ergogenic aids
EXSC 350 – Biomechanics
Here’s what you can learn:
- Foundational knowledge of basic mechanical principles and how these can be applied in analyzing movements of the human body
- An integrated balance of qualitative and quantitative examples, applications, and problems designed to illustrate the mechanical principles discussed
EXSC 461- Exercise Leadership
Here’s what you can learn:
- Necessary leadership qualities and skills expected for leading exercise activities
- Development of professional competencies through classroom instruction, as well as observational and practical experiences