Exercise Studies
This program is designed to give you the first two years of a Bachelor’s degree.
What You'll Learn
Coach and guide clients toward fitness, wellness, and their peak performance goals.
Turn your passion for fitness into a career helping others reach their health goals. You’ll explore anatomy, physiology, and exercise science while gaining hands-on experience in program design and performance training. As a qualified fitness professional, you’ll be prepared for roles in personal training, coaching, or advanced studies in health and human performance.
Where You’ll Go
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
- Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
- Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
- Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
- Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
Health Education Specialists
- Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
- Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns.
- Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
- Document activities and record information, such as the numbers of applications completed, presentations conducted, and persons assisted.
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators
- Maintain wellness- and fitness-related schedules, records, or reports.
- Develop or coordinate fitness and wellness programs or services.
- Recommend or approve new program or service offerings to promote wellness and fitness, produce revenues, or minimize costs.
- Manage or oversee fitness or recreation facilities, ensuring safe and clean facilities and equipment.
Salary information presented are estimates and can be different for each individual based on education, experience, and the specific employer. Labor market data is based on 2021 estimates derived from Lightcast (Career Coach | Lightcast)
The careers listed above are just a starting point. Our programs mix together important concepts and hands-on skills—but that doesn’t mean your future has to follow the same script. Find out more at Career Exploration & Support.
Program Requirements
To graduate [ 62-65 credits + 2.0 GPA or higher ]
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Minimum Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL098 | Accelerated Writing Skills for ENGL 100 | 3 | |
| MATH017 | Skills & Support Quantitative Reasoning | 1 | |
| or MATH020 | Skills & Support for College Algebra | 2 | |
| or MATH029 | Skills & Support for Statistics | 3 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Minimum Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL101 | Principles of Biology I | 3 | |
| or BIOL104 | General Biology I | 4 | |
| or GENERIC | Students with High School Biology and Chemistry with minimum Regents exam grades of 80% within the past 5 years can take BIOL 104. The BIOL101 and BIOL102 or CHEM101 sequence is recommended. Students interested in Exercise Science or a medical field should take BIOL104. | ||
| or GENERIC | Students must complete requirements with a “C” or better grade as a prerequisite for BIOL201 | C | |
| ENGL100 | Academic Writing I | 3 | |
| or GENERIC | A student exempted from ENGL 100 must substitute a three-credit unrestricted elective. This course should be selected in consultation with the student's advisor. | ||
| FITN215 | Aerobic Conditioning | 1 | |
| PSYC103 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| or PSYC103H | Introduction to Psychology-Honors | 3 | |
| or SOCI101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| or SOCI101H | Introduction to Sociology-Honors | 3 | |
| RECR110 | Introduction to Recreation | 3 | |
| SUNY GE #3 Mathematics | Mathematics | 3 - 4 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Minimum Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL102 | Principles of Biology II | 3 | |
| or BIOL105 | General Biology II | 4 | |
| or BIOL105H | Gen Biology II Honors | 4 | |
| or CHEM101 | Principles of Chemistry I | 4 | |
| or GENERIC | Students must complete requirements with a “C” or better grade as a prerequisite for BIOL201 | C | |
| ENGL101 | Academic Writing II | 3 | |
| or ENGL101H | Academic Writing II-Honors | 3 | |
| FITN217 | Strength and Conditioning | 1 | |
| RECR112 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 3 | |
| RECR280 | Recreation Programming and Leadership | 3 | |
| UNRE ELEC | Unrestricted Elective | 3 | |
| or GENERIC | HLTH205 or FITN102 and FITN216 recommended. |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Minimum Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL201 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 | |
| FITN256 | Group Fitness Instructor | 1 | |
| RECR230 | Personal Training | 3 | |
| RECR150 | Play Across Diverse Cultures | 3 | |
| SUNY GE #5 Humanities | Humanities | 3 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Minimum Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL202 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 | |
| BIOL114 | Essentials of Nutrition | 3 | |
| ENGL201 | Public Speaking | 3 | |
| or ENGL201H | Public Speaking - Honors | 3 | |
| or ENGL204 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 | |
| or ENGL210 | Intercultural Communication | 3 | |
| RECR232 | Exercise Physiology | 3 | |
| RECR285 | Recreation Field Work | 3 |
| Transfer School Sort descending | Transfer Program |
|---|---|
Transfer School: Syracuse University |
Transfer Programl: College of Professional Studies |
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Further Certifications
You'll be well-positioned to be certified in personal training, first aid, and CPR.