Exercise Science

Start your standout story.

Exercise Science

You have a heart for movement and enjoy an active lifestyle. Your awareness of the body’s design helps you train more effectively, and you enjoy sharing that knowledge with others. As an exercise science major at Northwestern, you’ll explore physical wellness through the lenses of science and faith. You’ll learn how the human body functions and gain an appreciation for the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Major requirements

Exercise Science
Why NWC?

Why NWC?

Exercise science has a wide variety of career choices, including physical therapy, fitness instruction and athletic training. Our science-based curriculum will prepare you for whichever path you choose, providing hands-on learning experiences in research, training and patient care. You’ll have opportunities to join professors in their research, create and implement training programs, and utilize our state-of-the-art human performance lab.

Major course topics include anatomical kinesiology, prevention and care of athletic injuries, sports nutrition, and motor learning. Related study opportunities include a health minor; career concentrations in fitness management, sport management and strength and conditioning; and education endorsements in coaching and secondary education. 

CONTACT
Dr. Ross Bouma
Dr. Ross Bouma
Department Chair
100% GRAD PLACEMENT 100% of our recent exercise science grads found a job or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.
PERFECT SCORES NWC strength + conditioning students consistently have 100% pass rates on the CSCS test.
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE Intern with a local health professional or develop training programs for Raider athletic teams.

Outcomes

If you are passionate about movement and pursuing physical wellness, an exercise science degree can open doors to careers in health care, athletic training, education, fitness instruction and more. Whether you pursue graduate school, train athletes, or open your own gym, Northwestern’s exercise science professors will equip you with the skills and expertise to provide patients and clients with excellent care.

Join our standout alumni at:

Laurus Athletic Rehab + Performance
Roseville, MN
University of Iowa (DPT program)
Iowa City, IA
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN
University of Montana (DPT program)
Missoula, MT

Experience

Department mission

Department mission

Northwestern’s kinesiology department prepares students to follow Christ and pursue God’s redeeming work in the world through vocational callings in health, fitness, exercise and sport by promoting discipline-specific knowledge, skills and perspectives within a Christ-centered and biblically based worldview.

Compass Center for Career & Calling

Compass Center for Career & Calling

The Compass Center for Career & Calling will connect you with internship experiences, whether you stick close to home or find opportunities further afield. The center also offers help writing resumes and cover letters, practice interview sessions, job shadowing and more.

Internships

Internships

Raider exercise science majors have interned with: 

  • Cressey Sports Performance, Boston, MA
  • Center of Biomechanical Research, University of Nebraska–Omaha
  • Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy, Pella, IA 

 

Facilities

Facilities

Our human performance lab, athletic performance center and athletic training clinic are fully outfitted with high-profile equipment like the BodPod body composition tracking system, Sorinex weights, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing equipment.

Sports + fitness

Sports + fitness

With 22 varsity sports and 15+ intramural options, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to be active as a Raider—whether you’re playing on the field or cheering from the sidelines! Northwestern students also have free access to the DeWitt Physical Fitness Center, which includes cardio and resistance machines, a four-court gymnasium, and three racquetball courts.

Off-campus study

Off-campus study

Experience different cultures and expand your worldview through one of dozens of study abroad programs. Northwestern also offers its own Romania Semester, through which you can join in the work of New Horizons Foundation, a nonprofit that uses adventure education programs to help Romanian youth develop responsibility, teamwork and trust.

Bachelor’s + beyond

Bachelor’s + beyond

If your interest in physical wellness extends to the medical field, Northwestern offers an accredited Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. Our faith-based program will prepare you to provide compassionate medical care in a variety of settings, including primary care and family medicine, emergency medicine, psychiatry, surgery and other sub-specialties. 

Department mission

Northwestern’s kinesiology department prepares students to follow Christ and pursue God’s redeeming work in the world through vocational callings in health, fitness, exercise and sport by promoting discipline-specific knowledge, skills and perspectives within a Christ-centered and biblically based worldview.

Compass Center for Career & Calling

The Compass Center for Career & Calling will connect you with internship experiences, whether you stick close to home or find opportunities further afield. The center also offers help writing resumes and cover letters, practice interview sessions, job shadowing and more.

Internships

Raider exercise science majors have interned with: 

  • Cressey Sports Performance, Boston, MA
  • Center of Biomechanical Research, University of Nebraska–Omaha
  • Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy, Pella, IA 

 

Facilities

Our human performance lab, athletic performance center and athletic training clinic are fully outfitted with high-profile equipment like the BodPod body composition tracking system, Sorinex weights, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing equipment.

Sports + fitness

With 22 varsity sports and 15+ intramural options, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to be active as a Raider—whether you’re playing on the field or cheering from the sidelines! Northwestern students also have free access to the DeWitt Physical Fitness Center, which includes cardio and resistance machines, a four-court gymnasium, and three racquetball courts.

Off-campus study

Experience different cultures and expand your worldview through one of dozens of study abroad programs. Northwestern also offers its own Romania Semester, through which you can join in the work of New Horizons Foundation, a nonprofit that uses adventure education programs to help Romanian youth develop responsibility, teamwork and trust.

Bachelor’s + beyond

If your interest in physical wellness extends to the medical field, Northwestern offers an accredited Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. Our faith-based program will prepare you to provide compassionate medical care in a variety of settings, including primary care and family medicine, emergency medicine, psychiatry, surgery and other sub-specialties.