Exercise & sports science
at Meredith College
Majoring in exercise and sports science at Meredith allows you to experience exciting internships, apply what you learn in a state-of-the-art human performance lab, and benefit from one-on-one career guidance by expert faculty.
"The intimate class settings and the extraordinary faculty really helped me narrow in on what I wanted to do."
Our Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise & Sports Science
Exercise and Sports Science (ESS) is the study of the immediate and long-term effects of physical activity on the body. Prepare for a career in this field as you examine the contributions of anatomy, biomechanics, motor learning, physiology, and health behaviors to the development of effective movement skills and exercise and sports performance.
Exercise and Sports Science Programs
Studying exercise science provides a strong knowledge base in both the discipline of sports science and the latest instructional skills for success in teaching health and physical education. The program focuses on wellness, skilled movement, sport, and foundational organizational and administrative principles. Field experiences beginning early in the program give students numerous hands-on opportunities to grow professionally.
Students majoring in exercise and sports science with a concentration in health and wellness are required to complete 65-74 credit hours, which include 38 hours of core courses and 27-36 hours of concentration courses.
Students majoring in exercise and sports science with a concentration in health and physical education are required to complete 58-65 credit hours, which include 38 hours of core courses and 20-27 hours of concentration courses.
Additional coursework is required to obtain teacher licensure.
Students earning a minor in health, exercise and sports science must complete 18 credit hours, including nine hours of core curriculum and nine hours of health and exercise and sports science courses, as well as an additional two hours of physical education/dance activity courses beyond the general education requirements.
- The K-12 health and physical education teacher licensure program instructs Meredith students in appropriate learning experiences to meet the needs, capabilities, and interests of K-12 students studying health and physical education.
- To earn licensure in health and physical education for grades K-12, students must complete the requirements for general education and their chosen major, as well as the licensure requirements.
- In addition, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Health and Physical Education is for college graduates who have degrees related to health and physical education and who want to transition into a teaching career.
Why Study Exercise & Sports Science at Meredith?
- Choose from two concentrations: health and physical education or health and wellness.
- Study in a new building, including a Health and Human Performance Lab that gives you access to advanced technology and exciting hands-on experience.
- Land top internships and field experiences through Meredith’s ideal location and strong faculty connections to employers and organizations.
- Apply what you’re learning on campus by supporting fitness programming for students and Meredith employees.
- Build your professional network by connecting with successful Meredith graduates who work in the field.
- ESS majors can join the Sports Science Association and gain valuable hands-on experience by organizing a community event, supporting students’ health and wellness, and attending professional conferences and meetings.
- Meredith ESS graduates hold a variety of roles, including as personal trainers, program supervisors, health and physical education teachers, and exercise physiologists.
- Others have attended graduate schools including East Carolina University, Elon University, and the University of Georgia. They’ve gone on to become physical therapists, occupational therapists, clinical trial coordinators, and more.
What Can You Do With an Exercise Science Degree?
- Meredith’s location near downtown Raleigh and the Research Triangle provides access to internships that prepare graduates for any number of careers. Recent internship sites include Abil-OT, Valencell, NextStep Raleigh, Shaw University Athletic Training, WakeMed Healthworks, and Pediatric Possibilities.
- On-campus opportunities include
- Human Performance Lab – perform basic fitness testing to extensive metabolic evaluation
- Employee Wellness Program – deliver fitness and educational programs to the employees of Meredith College
- Lowery Fitness Center – work as an instructor and gain hands-on experience in exercise instruction, implementation, and site supervision
- Angels in Motion – lead classes in an exciting, student-led fitness program offered to all Meredith students
- An exercise science degree prepares graduates for a variety of careers. Some can be pursued with a bachelor’s in exercise science, while others require additional graduate or professional schooling.
- For example, employment of exercise physiologists is projected to grow 9 percent over the next ten years, a position that typically requires a bachelor’s degree. About 1,700 openings for exercise physiologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. The median annual wage for exercise physiologists is $47,940, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Physical therapists frequently earn their ESS bachelor’s degree before continuing on to earn a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. The median pay for physical therapists is $95,620.
- Examples of successful Meredith ESS graduates include
- Lauren Grodi, ’20, who taught wellness classes for students, faculty, and staff as a certified group fitness instructor and interned with a physical therapist while studying abroad in Sydney, Australia. She’s now pursuing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at East Carolina University.
- Brittany Preston, ’19, was a student advisor for Wings and transfer students and captain of the basketball team. She worked with her advisor to define a career path and she is now pursuing a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Methodist University.
Exercise & Sports Science students are encouraged to conduct research while pursuing their degree. Students may identify a special topic and work under the supervision of a professor or join a research team formed by a professor. Recent undergraduate student research topics include
- An Investigation of Relationships between Freshman Academic Credit Hours and Health Status of Undergraduate Females
- The Effects of Sports Drinks on Aerobic Performance
- An Analysis of the Effects of Physical and Reactive Training on Agility Performance
- Influences of Fitness Assessment Programs on Female Undergraduate Exercise and Sport Science Majors
Academic Facilities
A new Communication and Health, Exercise & Sport Sciences (CHESS) Building was recently constructed to accommodate Meredith’s growing ESS program, which has increased by 52% over the last ten years. The approximately 13,000 square foot building features specialized spaces including a health and human performance lab, an assessment lab, and more.
ESS students also enjoy the Lowery Fitness Center, a recently renovated facility that includes treadmills, bikes, elliptical cross trainers, ascent trainers, rowers, and power lifting racks. There are also free weights, kettlebells, resistance machines, physio balls, medicine balls, bands, and accessory equipment available.
Honors Scholar and dual-sport athlete Kimberly Schuh, ’21, became an elementary P.E. teacher after graduation, a career that combines her interests in movement and education.
Exercise and Sports Science major Lauren Grodi, ’20, used her strengths at Meredith as volleyball team captain, student researcher, and intern. She continues to use them while earning her doctorate in physical therapy at East Carolina University.
Exercise and sports science major Essence Thomas, ’20, plans to become a physical therapist with the armed services after she graduates.
Videos About Meredith’s Exercise & Sports Science Major
Majoring in ESS at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC, will prepare you for a career in your field whether you plan to go to work right after graduation or pursue graduate or professional school.
Exercise and Sports Science News and Events
Meredith piloted a new clinical exercise program in fall of 2022. The course provides practical experience for Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences (HESS) students enrolled in ESS 486: Exercise Prescription.
Meredith students had the opportunity to attend an opening celebration for the College’s new Communication and Health, Exercise & Sport Sciences (CHESS) building on August 29, 2022.
Contact Information
Dr. Heather Sanderson
Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences
CHESS 148
(919) 760-8152
hlsanderson@meredith.edu
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