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Exercise Science
Major
Program Overview
Explore the science of physical activity, diet and nutrition and its impact on optimal health and performance. When you major in Exercise Science at Central Michigan University, you build a strong foundation to serve in a variety of career fields to help people lead healthier lives.
Program Snapshot
Why This Program & What You'll Learn
As a CMU Exercise Science major, you'll examine the health and fitness benefits of physical movement and exercise using a science-based approach. Our approach includes classroom learning, laboratory activities and an internship.
The major offers three options: clinical exercise science, health fitness and kinesiology. You can prepare for a career that may involve work in a variety of clinical or non-clinical areas, such as cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, cardiovascular diagnostic testing or general health-fitness settings.
Alternatively, our advisors can help prepare you for application to graduate programs in exercise physiology, physical therapy, physician assistant, medical or dental school, nursing, pharmacy, or other areas of health care.
Program Highlights
As an exercise science student at CMU, you can:
- Pursue your specific career goals by focusing on clinical exercise, health fitness, or kinesiology.
- Tailor your studies to match your interests, choosing courses such as Marketing Strategies for Entrepreneurs, Nutrition and Performance, or Health Implications of Obesity.
- Join a community of like-minded students by living in the Health Professions Residential College.
Our exercise science program at Central Michigan University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES). Our Exercise Science undergraduate program demonstrates academic excellence as the first in Michigan to obtain accreditation by CAAHEP through CoAES. Our students graduate, are satisfied with their education, and perform well on national credentialing exams as seen in our outcome data.
Options
Clinical Exercise Science
Explore careers at the intersection of exercise and health care. The clinical exercise science option prepares you to work with patients in a variety of medical settings. Career options include physical therapy, occupational therapy, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and diagnostic testing.
Kinesiology
This broad-based program prepares you for graduate study in exercise physiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, chiropractic studies, and beyond. Coursework combines biology, exercise science, and chemistry studies to give you a well-rounded foundation.
Careers & Outcomes
Many of our graduates go on to graduate school in fields like exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, or health sciences. Others begin careers in personal training, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, diagnostic testing, and more.
Career | Projected Salary |
---|---|
Exercise Physiologist/Specialist | $51,530 |
Fitness/Wellness Manager | $35,190 |
Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor | $40,700 |
Athletic Trainer | $53,840 |
Physical Therapist |
$97,720
|
Exercise/Fitness Trainer | $45,380 |
Rehabilitation Physicians | $223,410 |
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