Why Choose an Exercise Science Degree Online?
Getting an exercise science degree online is a good way to get into the field without having to attend on-campus courses. You can earn certifications and accreditation in the field with minimal classroom requirements.
Why enter into this field? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the field of exercise science is expected to grow by 15% within the next decade. Degrees are also available at the associate, bachelor, master and doctoral levels. Even an associate degree is enough to get into entry-level positions in health clubs, recreational centers and hospitals.
Top 5 Exercise Science Degree Online Programs
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delta State University | Cleveland, Mississippi |
| 2 | California University of Pennsylvania | California, Pennsylvania |
| 3 | University of South Dakota | Vermillion, South Dakota |
| 4 | Lindenwood University | Saint Charles, Missouri |
| 5 | University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, Mississippi |
Choosing an Exercise Science Degree Online
When looking for an exercise science degree online, it is important to find accredited programs. It may also be smart to choose a program that has multiple levels available, so you can easily go for your bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree when you’re ready to expand your career options.
The following are the top 15 accredited exercise science degrees online. If you’re having trouble choosing a program, we’re here to help. These 15 programs are ranked from best to worst to give you somewhere to start.
Best 15 Exercise Science Degree Online Programs
Delta State University
Delta State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The program consists of 120 credit hours and is on a typical four-year track.
School Overview
California University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania offers a 100% online master’s degree option in exercise science. The MS in Exercise Science takes between 12 and 18 months to complete and prepares students to work in the fitness industry, corporate settings, and healthcare facilities. The program is either a 36-credit-hour degree program or a dual-focus degree with 48 credits.
School Overview
University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota has an online Master in Kinesiology and Sport Management that is a 30-credit-hour program. The entire program can be completed within 24 months, even part-time.
School Overview
Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University offers a graduate education in a Master of Science in Health Sciences. The program has focuses in sports science as well as performance and fitness and wellness. The program in sports science is a total of 33 credit hours.
School Overview
University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi offers a graduate program in kinesiology. Emphases are available in exercise science and physical education as well as sport coaching education or nutrition and food systems.
School Overview
University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming offers an MS in Kinesiology and Health as well as an MS in Physical Education. Graduates can pursue an exercise and sport science track with their degrees.
School Overview
University of Louisiana- Monroe
The University of Louisiana- Monroe offers a Master of Science in Exercise Science online. It’s a 36-credit-hour program with three credits available through working internships.
School Overview
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University offers an online exercise science program in the form of a Master of Science in Sport Conditioning and Performance. The program is aimed at coaches or fitness professionals and is available online (except for clinical). It’s a 30-credit-hour program.
School Overview
Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University offers a Master of Science in Exercise Science with online options. This is a post-professional program designed for health care professionals as well as those working in strengthening and conditioning. This is a 31-credit-hour program.
School Overview
Texas Woman’s University
Texas Woman’s University offers a graduate program in Kinesiology. The program may be customized to a specific track, such as exercise physiology or sport management. Coaching is a completely online track.
School Overview
UNC Greensboro
The UNC Greensboro offers a four-year online degree program to get a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Kinesiology. The program is designed to be completed with a dissertation required in the fourth year.
School Overview
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas offers a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Exercise Science online. There is also an additional strength and conditioning online certificate available. The programs are flexible and meet the prerequisites for physical therapy school.
School Overview
University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut has a nine-credit online graduate program in exercise prescription. This is a short program for people working in the field of exercise science. The online certificate program teaches about F.I.T.T., administering stress tests and more.
School Overview
University of Florida
The University of Florida offers an online Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. The program can be complete in as little as 1.5 years and is hosted completely online. No GRE is required to enter this program.
School Overview
George Washington University
George Washington University offers a Strength and Conditioning MS that is hosted online. It’s a 36-credit-hour program that has both synchronous and asynchronous modules. It also requires a three-day visit to campus for a capstone course.
School Overview
Ranking Specifications
This list has been assembled by ranking the schools from best to worst based on tuition cost (lower costs are better). Then, the schools were ranked by enrollment level (schools with fewer students were ranked higher due to smaller class sizes). The two scores were added together before ranking the schools from those with the most points to those with the least.
Every effort has been taken to make this list as accurate as possible. However, the list may be changed at any time and cannot be guaranteed in any way.
If you work for one of these schools and have questions about your ranking, please contact us. We would be happy to chat with you about how we ranked your program and to make any necessary changes. If your school is not listed but you would like to have it on one of our lists, contact us.
