Program Overview
Introduction to Exercise Science Program at SIU ##"
The Exercise Science program at Southern Illinois University (SIU) offers a bachelor's degree that paves the way for a career in one of the fastest-growing fields in the country. With this degree, students can help people reach their fitness goals as a personal trainer or manage health and fitness programs in corporate or clinical settings. The program also serves as a springboard for graduate studies in physiology, biomechanics, and motor behavior, and students can choose to pursue a master's degree in kinesiology at SIU.
Program Overview
The Exercise Science program combines classroom instruction with extensive opportunities for research and hands-on experience. Students study and work in numerous laboratories that focus on:
- Exercise physiology
- Cardiovascular control
- Biomechanics and integrative movement
- Motor behavior
- Sport psychology
- Group fitness and training
Hands-on Experience
The program offers an array of opportunities for students to practice their craft often and early. From facilities affiliated with the Student Recreation Center to custom-designed laboratories, students can gain practical experience. Additionally, students can participate in unique programs such as Strong Survivors, an exercise and nutrition program that provides individualized wellness plans and 1:1 testing/training experience between SIU students and community participants.
Career Opportunities
A bachelor's degree in Exercise Science is a great springboard to a health professional's career. Many students pursuing careers in occupational health, physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, chiropractics, podiatry, or other medical fields, or in pharmaceutical sales, choose this major. Approximately one-third of the program's students go on to pursue careers in the health arena.