Exercise Science Bachelor's Degree Overview
Exercise as medicine. That’s the motto of The University of Toledo’s exercise science bachelor’s degree program.
Our program’s unique curriculum blends the study of the basic sciences — anatomy and physiology — with how they apply to the body’s health and wellness.
UToledo exercise science graduates go on to graduate school in the allied health professions or medical school. Others seek health and fitness-related careers in fields like strength and conditioning or corporate wellness.
Exercise Science Bachelor’s Degree Concentrations?
- Human performance and fitness promotion
- Pre-medical professions (pre-medicine and pre-physician assistant)
- Pre-rehabilitation sciences (pre-athletic training, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physical therapy)
Exercise Science Bachelor's Degree Highlights
- Unrivaled opportunities for undergrad research. UT offers one of the few undergraduate exercise science programs in the country in which students can work side-by-side with graduate students and faculty mentors on research in state-of-the-art labs.
- Outstanding, active faculty. UToledo faculty members have diverse research interests and work closely with students as mentors. Several have won UT’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year award.
- Experiential learning.
- Required internship for students in the human performance and fitness promotion track. They spend time in schools, hospitals and rehab facilities.
- Hands-on lab learning. Learn how the body functions from head-to-toe in anatomy and physiology labs and a cadaver lab. (Most programs’ cadaver labs are open only to grad students.)
- Grad school options. UT is the only university in the region to offer a doctorate in exercise science.
Career Opportunities
About 80% of UToledo exercise science students pursue graduate degrees in physical therapy, physician assistant studies, medical school or athletic training. The remainder may find careers as health care and fitness professionals: personal trainers, corporate wellness professionals and strength and conditioning coaches.
UT students have worked for the U.S. Department of Defense and as faculty at:
- University of California-Long Beach
- University of North Carolina-Charlotte
- Ohio Dominican University
- University of South Carolina
- University of Virginia
UT exercise science students have been accepted to such graduate schools as:
- The University of Toledo DPT, OTD and PA programs
- Ohio State University Medical School and DPT program
- University of Cincinnati DPT program
- Trine University DPT program
- Ohio University DO program
Our Alumni
"In the exercise science program at The University of Toledo, not only will you gain the knowledge needed for your future career, but also real-life, applicable knowledge like clinical work and hands-on research with professors. This program strives to go above and beyond. Attending The University of Toledo was the best choice I've ever made."
Alexander Bores, BS, PhD candidate in UT’s physical therapy program
BBA '14, MSA '15
Dr. J. Larry Durstine, graduate of the doctoral program in exercise science and Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Health and Human Services, is co-director of the preventive exercise program in the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Durstine also is past president of the American College of Sports Medicine.
Exercise Science Bachelor's Degree Curriculum
Exercise Science Bachelor’s Degree Sample Courses
- Human Anatomy
- Applied Exercise Physiology
- Applied Biomechanics
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
- Principles of Strength Conditioning
Research Opportunities
UToledo’s exercise science faculty use their research labs as incubators for undergraduate learning. Students work side-by-side with graduate students and faculty mentors on cutting-edge research. Some undergrads even co-author papers.
Research ranges from studies of whole-body systems to cellular and molecular studies that explore the use of exercise in health and disease prevention. Students study cardiovascular disease and diabetes as well as joint movement and injuries.
Exercise Science Bachelor's Degree
4-year programProgram Availability
Program Quick Links
View Admission RequirementsExercise Science
College of Health and Human Services
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