Exercise Science and Health
The Science of Movement. The Promotion of Health. The Pursuit of Human Flourishing.
The Exercise Science and Health program at Saint Peter’s University offers a forward-looking, interdisciplinary curriculum designed to prepare students for the evolving fields of health, fitness, human performance, wellness, and healthcare. Grounded in the sciences of human movement and health, the program goes beyond traditional exercise science by examining the many factors that influence how people live, move, perform, and thrive.
A Forward-Looking Curriculum for a Changing Health and Fitness Profession
Students develop a strong scientific foundation through coursework in anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, fitness assessment and exercise prescription, nutrition, and health promotion.
The curriculum extends beyond these foundations to explore health and wellness coaching, behavior change, digital health, artificial intelligence, wearable technology, lifespan exercise and health, and biopsychosocial-spiritual approaches to well-being.
Students learn not only how exercise affects the human body, but how biological, psychological, social, behavioral, environmental, and spiritual factors interact to influence health, performance, quality of life, and human flourishing.
Preparation for Professional Certifications
Career preparation is intentionally integrated throughout the curriculum. Coursework incorporates knowledge and professional competencies designed to help students prepare for nationally recognized certifications in:
- Health and Wellness Coaching
- Personal Training
- Strength and Conditioning
By integrating certification-related content into undergraduate coursework, students can prepare for professional credentials while completing their degree and develop multiple pathways into the health, fitness, wellness, and human performance professions.
Research, Innovation, and Whole-Person Well-Being
Faculty scholarship and research are brought directly into the student experience. The program incorporates faculty expertise and scholarly work in biopsychosocial-spiritual well-being, mind-body health, mindfulness, meditation, gratitude, complementary health practices, physical activity, sustainable health behavior change, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies in health and education.
Students are introduced to research and scientific evidence across these areas and learn to examine health through physiological, behavioral, technological, and whole-person perspectives. This distinctive approach expands the study of health beyond the prevention of disease to consider resilience, purpose, quality of life, well-being, and human flourishing, while also preparing students to understand how emerging technologies may shape the future of health, fitness, and human performance.
Learning Through Service
Community engagement and service are central to the Exercise Science and Health experience. Through internships, field experiences, community health initiatives, service opportunities, and the Health and Fitness Club, students have opportunities to apply what they learn while contributing to the health and well-being of others.
These experiences connect classroom knowledge with real-world needs while developing communication, leadership, cultural responsiveness, and professional skills. Students also explore the important roles that health equity, access, service, and community engagement play in improving the health of individuals and communities.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Students gain practical experience through laboratory activities, internships, community-based experiences, professional mentoring, and opportunities to interact with professionals working across health, fitness, wellness, education, and human performance.
With close faculty guidance, students are encouraged to explore their interests, identify professional goals, develop an individualized career path, and connect their academic preparation with meaningful real-world experiences.
Multiple Pathways. One Purpose.
Graduates are prepared to pursue careers and advanced study in areas such as:
- Exercise science and clinical exercise
- Health and wellness coaching
- Personal training and fitness
- Strength and conditioning
- Corporate and community health promotion
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy and other allied health professions
- Sport and human performance
- Graduate study in exercise science, health sciences, and related fields
Students interested in teaching may also pursue preparation in Health and Physical Education, bringing contemporary approaches to health, wellness, movement, and physical activity into school communities.
At Saint Peter’s, Exercise Science and Health brings together science, technology, professional preparation, whole-person well-being, research, innovation, and service with one central purpose: preparing students to improve the health and lives of others.