Exercise Physiology (BS)
Turn your passion for health and human performance into a career through hands-on learning, research and real-world experience.
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Turn your passion for health and human performance into a career with a degree in exercise physiology. You'll study the science behind how the body moves, performs and adapts while gaining hands-on experience in state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories.
Build knowledge across a wide range of areas, including clinical exercise physiology, cardiovascular physiology, neuromuscular physiology, nutrition, aging, diabetes, strength and conditioning, pediatrics and community-based interventions. Graduates are prepared for careers in hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, public health agencies, corporate wellness, university athletics, research laboratories and other health-related settings.
Program Overview
The degree offers an energetic and flexible curriculum that is centered on exploring the relationships between human movement, physical activity, exercise, performance, and public health. Our curriculum is grounded in providing a core foundational knowledge base that focuses on the structures of the human body and how the human body functions. Central to our curriculum is to provide our students with a deep understanding of how the human body responds to a single bout of exercise, to continuous expose to structured exercise, injury and disease. We accomplish this through hands-on learning and ensure our students have multiple laboratory experiences and courses during their time at the University of Louisville.
A cornerstone of our curriculum is the program’s exercise physiology internship experience. The internship experience requires our students to apply what they have learned in the classroom and laboratory to real-world situations and provides our students with the opportunity to develop and enhance their profession skills prior to graduation. The internship program also provides our students seeking entry into professional healthcare programs the opportunity to secure all of their required volunteer hours while also receiving university credits toward their undergraduate degree.
The faculty of the exercise physiology program are committed to providing our students with a top-quality educational experience. Further, we work with our students to ensure that they become leaders and health-advocates dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all individuals within their communities.
Career Paths
Exercise physiologists work in health promotion, fitness development, colleges and universities, clinical rehabilitation, and sport and athletic programs. Hence, they are hired as:
- sports and wellness program instructors and directors
- strength coaches for college, university and professional sports programs
- teachers at institutions of higher learning (i.e., if they have a PhD)
- researchers in companies that make physiological equipment for testing and evaluation
- managers and exercise leaders in corporate wellness programs
- instructors in health and fitness clubs
- supervisors of specialized health, fitness, wellness, or lifestyle programs in correctional services, police, fire, and emergency response organizations
- fitness instructors in YMCAs, spa and resort centers
- exercise specialists in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs
- fitness directors and managers in the military (such as the air force and army)
- exercise technologists in cardiology suites
- fitness instructors and supervisors at the state, regional, and national levels in sports and athletic programs including
- sports consultants in areas of psychology and training, biomechanics, efficiency and metabolism, and nutrition
- electrophysiology technologists in hospital settings
Job Search Resources
Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of exercise physiologists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is expected as healthcare providers increasingly prescribe exercise to prevent and manage chronic disease. The median annual wage for exercise physiologists was $58,160 in May 2024.
Department of Health & Sport Sciences
College of Education & Human Development
Room 105F - SAC E
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-6645
See Exercise Physiology and all Health and Sport Sciences Faculty
FAQ: Exercise Physiology (BS)
For general education requirement questions and transfers, you should consult your advisor at the Education Advising Center, 502-852-5597.
Core exercise physiology courses are offered throughout the academic year, while some elective courses are offered on a rotating basis. For the most current course offerings and degree requirements, view the Academic Catalog and work with your academic advisor to plan your course schedule.
You can complete your courses in any order as long as you meet the prerequisites. We recommend taking HSS 394 (Introduction to Exercise Science), HSS 320 (Growth and Motor Development) and HSS 387 (Biomechanics) early in the program, as they are prerequisites for several upper-level courses.
Prerequisite courses must be completed before enrolling in courses that require them. Transfer students who need to take prerequisite and upper-level courses concurrently must receive permission from the course instructor.
Choose electives that support your academic interests, career goals or graduate school plans. You may also use elective credits to complete a minor or second major, if applicable.
Elective courses must be at least 100 level and may not be vocational courses. Many students also choose to earn additional internship credits as electives.
To graduate, you must complete at least 50 credit hours in courses numbered 300 or above. Your academic advisor can help you select electives that meet your degree requirements and support your goals.
The minimum grade requirements depend on when you were admitted to the exercise science major.
- Admitted before Summer 2010: You may count one course with a grade of D toward the major.
- Admitted Summer 2010 or later: You may not count any grades of D in required Exercise Science courses.
Your degree requirements are listed in your Academic Catalog year (catalog year). If you have questions about how the requirements apply to your degree plan, contact your academic advisor.
Course difficulty varies depending on the subject and your background. Your instructors can provide information about course expectations and workload, and students who have completed the courses can often share their experiences. Your academic advisor can also help you plan a course schedule that matches your goals and preparation.
Start by contacting an advisor for the minor you're interested in pursuing. Admission requirements and application processes vary by program, and the advisor can help you understand the next steps.
Many exercise physiology graduates continue their education in graduate or professional programs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, medicine and other health-related fields.
Admission requirements vary by program and institution, so it's important to research the schools you're interested in early. Work with your academic advisor to select appropriate prerequisite courses and develop a plan that aligns with your career goals.
Visit the master's degree page
If you have additional questions regarding the master's program, contact Dr. Adrienne Bratcher at 502-852-4031.