College of Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Physiology
Studying sport and exercise physiology at DeSales gives you the knowledge and skills to work in a variety of settings—from coaching sports teams to helping patients in rehabilitation centers. The Sport and Exercise Physiology major is flexible, allowing you to tailor the program to your goals. You’ll learn how to assess physical performance, design training programs, and understand the science behind exercise.
Program Details
- Official Degree Name
- Bachelor of Science
- Format
-
In Class-Day
- Credit Hours
- 124
- Program Start
- Fall Semester
- Application Deadline
- Apply Anytime
- Average Time to Degree
- 4 Years
Why Get Your Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports and Exercise Physiology?
If you’re fascinated by how the human body responds to physical activity and want to help others optimize health and performance, this major is for you. At DeSales, we stand out by focusing on the whole person. This means you’ll be taught to understand the science and how to connect with and motivate individuals on their wellness journey.
Program Highlights
Multiple Pathways to Success
- This major opens many doors, whether working directly with athletes, helping patients in clinical settings, or pursuing further education. Start a career in exercise testing and prescription, cardiac rehabilitation, or strength and conditioning. Prepare for graduate school in fields like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or apply to medical school. The versatile skills you gain will offer you many options.
- In addition to the major requirements, students can choose one of four tracks within the major to best suit their professional goals. These tracks capitalize on agreements the Sport and Exercise Physiology program has with graduate programs to preferentially accept our graduates. Tracks include Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, Prosthetics & Orthotics, and Strength & Conditioning.
Professional Development Opportunities
- In the sport and exercise physiology program, you’ll have the chance to work with professionals in the field. You’ll also gain real-world experience that will make you a strong candidate for future jobs or graduate programs. Enhance your resume, specialize your path and help you build a network of contacts in the industry
Leadership and Character Development
- Being a leader in the sports and health fields requires more than technical skills—it requires strong character and the ability to inspire others. At DeSales, our program focuses on developing both leadership abilities and ethical decision-making, which will serve you well in any career path you choose.
What Will You Study?
All sport and exercise physiology students must complete an internship requirement. This ensures students gain practical experience with diverse clients, from clinical populations to trained athletes.
This curriculum is designed to give you a deep understanding of how the body works and how to apply this knowledge to improve health and performance.
Courses you may take include:
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
- Fitness Assessment
- Kinesiology
- Nutrition
- Sports Science
Meet the Faculty
Program Tracks & Degree Options
Swipe below to discover more!
Optional Tracks
Learn MoreTrack
Pre-Physical Therapy
Physical therapists typically work in private offices and clinics, hospitals, patients’ homes, and nursing homes. They spend much of their time actively working with patients.
Up to six students will be guaranteed admission into the DeSales DPT graduate program when graduating with a Sport and Exercise Physiology degree.
Courses You Will Take Include:
Track
Pre-Athletic Training
Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses in athletes.
DeSales students will be guaranteed admission into the MAT program at Immaculata University upon graduation from DeSales with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Physiology.
Courses You Will Take Include:
Track
Pre-Prosthetics & Orthotics
Orthotists and prosthetists measure, design, fit, and adapt medical devices, such as supportive braces and artificial limbs, for patients who have disabling conditions.
DeSales students may earn entry into the 4+3 Master of Science in Orthotics & Prosthetics program with Salus at Drexel University.
Courses You Will Take Include:
Track
Strength & Conditioning
Strength and conditioning specialists (CSCS) work in many different environments, from educational institutions and professional teams to tactical, healthcare, or private sector facilities to improve health and performance and prevent injuries.
Courses You Will Take Include:
General Degree
Learn MoreTrack
General Degree
This track will suit a wide range of professional goals, including chiropractic, clinical exercise physiology, occupational therapy, and many more.
Courses You Will Take Include:
Justin DeStasio '25
Sport and Exercise Physiology
The professors genuinely want you to succeed and are always available for extra help or guidance throughout your four years. I am very excited to use my degree to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy and am very grateful for the opportunities and support the Sport and Exercise Physiology program has provided during my undergraduate experience.
Outcomes & Careers
In addition to challenging courses, you will gain valuable experience through a required internship. This experience is essential to your learning and offers an opportunity to enhance your skills and make connections in the field.
Students who graduate from DeSales with a bachelor’s degree in sports and exercise physiology have gone on to:
- pursue degrees at some of the top-rated physical therapy schools in the country, including the University of Pittsburgh and University of Delaware.
- become tenured faculty at nationally recognized programs, such as Xavier University.
- become strength and conditioning specialists and coaches at collegiate, professional, and national levels, including at Lafayette College and Lehigh University.
- become sport coaches and sport scientists who have worked at collegiate, professional, and national levels, including at the Naval Academy, the New York Mets, and elite cyclists.
Admission Checklist
- Completed application
- High school transcript
- Entrance essay
- Optional SAT score submission
Program Highlights
Program FAQs
The Sport and Exercise Physiology program is seeking accreditation by the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE). Accreditation by CASCE means that DeSales has shown itself to be a distinguished higher education strength and conditioning program with academic rigor and practical excellence through a peer-reviewed accreditation process.
There are profession-specific tracks within the major that create clear pathways to guide our students’ academic progression, allowing them to adapt their degrees to suit their professional goals easily.
These tracks include Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Orthotics and Prosthetics, Pre-Athletic Training, and Strength and Conditioning. There is also a general track suitable for students interested in Clinical Exercise Physiology, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic, and other career fields.
The Sport and Exercise Physiology program has three dynamic and innovative laboratory spaces dedicated to studying the human body’s response to exercise. Our facility has state-of-the-art technology that allows students to learn hands-on by performing testing typically performed by professional exercise physiologists in places like the Olympic Training Centers.
- Our sport and exercise physiology lab contains treadmills and metabolic carts, Velotron and Monark cycle ergometers, a GE Ultrasound, and full 12-lead EMG devices.
- Our human movement lab contains a power rack with dumbbells, barbells and weights, an EMG system, force plates, and a variety of other strength, power, and muscle-specific assessment tools.
- Our body composition lab contains an underwater weighing tank.
Since these labs are primarily a teaching and research facility, the lab has also provided physiological testing for competitive local athletes for the past two decades, free of charge. With faculty supervision, students can complete physiological assessments, including body composition, aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, electrolyte hydration and evaluation, and lactate profiles. The athletes and their coaches use this information to help fine tune their training.
No, students are able to take the core courses of this program to earn a general degree in Sport and Exercise Physiology. Choosing this option will suit a wide range of professional goals, including chiropractic, clinical exercise physiology, occupational therapy, and many more.
DeSales is constantly communicating with various secondary institutions with technical programs. We currently have agreements with Eastern Center for Arts and Technology, Lehigh County Career and Technical Institute, and Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School. Students graduating from these schools may qualify for up to 6 free college credits.
Physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Most DPT programs require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree before admission. The Pre-Physical Therapy track in the Sport and Exercise Physiology major helps students meet the requirements for admission to a DPT program. Additionally, we have an agreement with the DeSales DPT program guaranteeing acceptance for up to six of our students.
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