Are you passionate about physical fitness, health, education and other sports-related endeavors? The Exercise Science degree program at Dean College might be the right fit for you.

Program Overview 

Explore the world of sport, fitness and human performance in the Exercise Science major at Dean College.

Dean College offers both an associate degree and bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, combining academics with activity-based classes that will enable you to explore a variety of career possibilities in the field. You may also choose to complete a track in either:

You’ll study fitness and conditioning, anatomy and physiology, and nutrition, all while focusing on personal conditioning skills. You’ll learn how to assess and develop fitness and human performance, how to test and understand the body, and how psychology plays a key role in understanding both motivation and barriers to exercise. Your courses will emphasize principles and techniques for flexibility, strength, stability and balance – physical abilities that are essential to any fitness or rehabilitation program. The Exercise Science program is also complemented by a solid foundation in the liberal arts, as well as required courses in quantitative reasoning and oral communication.

And you’ll put theory into practice every step of the way. You’ll attend labs, classes and activities, develop your own testing projects and fitness-related programs, and complete an internship to build your skills and give you the practical experience needed to succeed in the field.

Dean College students completing a lab assignment for exercise science

About the Exercise Science Program

Watch this presentation to learn more about the Exercise Science program at Dean.

science lab at Dean College

Celebrating Women in Science

Hear from our faculty members about our science programs and what it means to be a woman in science at Dean.

Dean College professor working with a student

School of Liberal Arts Faculty

Gain valuable insights from our School of Liberal Arts faculty, who are here to help you every step of the way.

Exercise Science Courses

Course Number Course Title Credits
EXSC 111 Introduction to Sport, Fitness and Exercise 3
EXSC 170 First Aid and Safety/CPR/AED 3
EXSC 174 History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity 3
EXSC 185 Personal Training 3
EXSC 234 Nutrition and Food Science 3
EXSC 260 Fundamentals of Physical Fitness and Conditioning 3
EXSC 265 Resistance Training and Programming 3
EXSC 371 Exercise Psychology 3
EXSC 421 Exercise for Special Populations 3
EXSC 434 Sport Nutrition 3
EXSC 470 Exercise Testing and Prescription 3
EXSC 495 Senior Capstone 3
BIO 172 Anatomy and Physiology ll 4
BIO 387 Kinesiology 4
DCA 100 Campus Connections: Making the Transition 1
DCA 110 Career Connections: Developing Your Brand 1
DCA 200 Internship Connections: Creating Your Plan 1
DCA 300 The Internship Experience 3
DCA 350 Future Connections: Launching Your Career 3
DCA EXPERIENCE ELE Dean Career Advantage Experience Course 3
Total Credits 56

Course Number Course Title Credits
ENG 111 Composition l 3
ENG 112 Composition ll 3
SPC 101 Communication Fundamentals 3
MATH ELECTIVE Core Mathematics Elective 3
BIO 171 Anatomy and Physiology 4
ARTS ELECTIVE Core Distribution Arts Elective 3
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE Core Distribution Humanities Elective 3
BIO 167 Musculoskeletal Anatomy 3
PSY 111 General Psychology 3
COM 327 Applied Professional Communication 3
PSY 336 Exercise Psychology 3
UDLA ELE Upper-Division Liberal Arts Electives 6
Total Credits 40

Course Number Course Title Credits
ELE Electives 24
Total Credits 24

* Subject to change
** Based on the Dean College Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Pre-Athletic Training

Geared toward students interested in working alongside physicians as certified athletic trainers, the Pre-Athletic Training track focuses on the relationship between science, athletics and medicine. While immersed in the fundamentals of physical fitness, conditioning, anatomy and physiology, you will learn about the care and prevention of injuries, as well as the role of nutrition in any exercise regime. The blend of coursework will equip you to continue your preparation at a transfer institution for the dynamic and challenging field of athletic training to receive your certification.

Pre-Athletic Training

Course Number Course Title Credits
EXSC 111 Introduction to Sport, Fitness and Exercise 3
EXSC 170 First Aid and Safety/CPR/AED 3
EXSC 174 History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity 3
EXSC 185 Personal Training 3
EXSC 234 Nutrition and Food Science 3
EXSC 260 Fundamentals of Physical Fitness and Conditioning 3
EXSC 265 Resistance Training and Programming 3
EXSC 371 Exercise Psychology 3
EXSC 421 Exercise for Special Populations 3
EXSC 434 Sport Nutrition 3
EXSC 470 Exercise Testing and Prescription 3
EXSC 495 Senior Capstone 3
BIO 172 Anatomy and Physiology ll 4
BIO 387 Kinesiology 4
DCA 100 Campus Connections: Making the Transition 1
DCA 110 Career Connections: Developing Your Brand 1
DCA 200 Internship Connections: Creating Your Plan 1
DCA 300 The Internship Experience 3
DCA 350 Future Connections: Launching Your Career 3
DCA EXPERIENCE ELE Dean Career Advantage Experience Course 3
BIO 151 General Biology - The Cell 4
CHM 151 General Chemistry I 4
MTH 130 Introductory Statistics 3
PHY 141 General Physics I 4
Total Credits 71

Course Number Course Title Credits
ENG 111 Composition l 3
ENG 112 Composition ll 3
SPC 101 Communication Fundamentals 3
MTH 132 OR MTH 151 Mathematics for the Biological Sciences or Pre-Calculus I 3
BIO 171 Anatomy and Physiology 4
ARTS ELECTIVE Core Distribution Arts Elective 3
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE Core Distribution Humanities Elective 3
BIO 167 Musculoskeletal Anatomy 3
PSY 111 General Psychology 3
COM 327 Applied Professional Communication 3
PSY 336 Exercise Psychology 3
UDLA ELE Upper-Division Liberal Arts Electives 6
Total Credits 40

Course Number Course Title Credits
ELE Electives 9
Total Credits 9

* Subject to change
** Based on the Dean College Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Pre-Physical Therapy

The Pre-Physical Therapy track offers a blend of courses in math, science and exercise. Classes will not only consist of lectures but will also include hands-on laboratories. You'll study anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, statistics, psychology, nutrition and fitness-based classes. You'll also gain a strong foundation in liberal arts-based courses in English, history, and social sciences, as well as required courses in quantitative reasoning and oral communication. This track will prepare you to pursue a doctorate of physical therapy (DPT) after graduation, which is required to enjoy a rewarding career as a physical therapist.

Pre-Physical Therapy

Course Number Course Title Credits
EXSC 111 Introduction to Sport, Fitness and Exercise 3
EXSC 170 First Aid and Safety/CPR/AED 3
EXSC 174 History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity 3
EXSC 185 Personal Training 3
EXSC 234 Nutrition and Food Science 3
EXSC 260 Fundamentals of Physical Fitness and Conditioning 3
EXSC 265 Resistance Training and Programming 3
EXSC 371 Exercise Psychology 3
EXSC 421 Exercise for Special Populations 3
EXSC 434 Sport Nutrition 3
EXSC 470 Exercise Testing and Prescription 3
EXSC 495 Senior Capstone 3
BIO 172 Anatomy and Physiology ll 4
BIO 387 Kinesiology 4
DCA 100 Campus Connections: Making the Transition 1
DCA 110 Career Connections: Developing Your Brand 1
DCA 200 Internship Connections: Creating Your Plan 1
DCA 300 The Internship Experience 3
DCA 350 Future Connections: Launching Your Career 3
DCA EXPERIENCE ELE Dean Career Advantage Experience Course 3
BIO 151 General Biology - The Cell 4
CHM 151 General Chemistry I 4
CHM 152 General Chemistry II 4
CHM 345 Concepts in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry for the Biological Sciences 3
MTH 130 Introductory Statistics 3
PHY 141 General Physics I 4
PHY 142 General Physics II 4
SOC 225 Health and Illness: A Sociological Perspective 3
Total Credits 85

Course Number Course Title Credits
ENG 111 Composition l 3
ENG 112 Composition ll 3
SPC 101 Communication Fundamentals 3
MTH 132 OR MTH 151 Mathematics for the Biological Sciences or Pre-Calculus I 3
BIO 171 Anatomy and Physiology 4
ARTS ELECTIVE Core Distribution Arts Elective 3
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE Core Distribution Humanities Elective 3
BIO 167 Musculoskeletal Anatomy 3
PSY 111 General Psychology 3
COM 327 Applied Professional Communication 3
PSY 336 Exercise Psychology 3
UDLA ELE Upper-Division Liberal Arts Electives 6
Total Credits 40

* Subject to change
** Based on the Dean College Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Beyond the Classroom

Dean College student in front of Gillette Stadium Real-world experience is key to succeeding in the exercise science field.

You’ll participate in experiential learning opportunities through everything you do, exploring the field and testing your interest in the career paths you might want to pursue. Tour facilities and meet practitioners and athletic trainers with the New England Patriots, New England Revolution, Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Build your skills and your confidence by completing internships at places like the YMCA, Bosse Sports, Franklin Physical Therapy, Valeo FC International Academy, the New England Revolution U-23 Academy and Dean College Athletics.

You'll graduate with the skills and knowledge you need to enjoy a rewarding career as a personal trainer, coach, teacher, rehabilitation specialist and more, or pursue graduate school to become a certified athletic trainer, physician assistant or exercise physiologist. You’ll find Bulldogs hard at work at places like Mass Sport and Spine, OrthoBoston, the Edge Fitness Center, Perkins School for the Blind, collegiate athletics programs and so much more. 

Uniquely Dean

Dean College Exercise Science students hands on learning in class Put your skills to the test through the unique opportunities the Dean College Exercise Science program to offer.
  • Visit local organizations to meet strength and conditioning coaches in weight rooms, trainers in professional and rehabilitation settings, hospitals, the YMCA and more.
  • Practice your skills and work alongside professionals, including Dean College strength and conditioning coaches and our performing arts athletic trainer.
  • Meet with industry professionals from the New England Patriots, New England Revolution and Providence Bruins through The Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management.
  • Learn from industry experts who visit campus to share their experiences and offer advice and counsel.
  • Develop your own training programs and testing projects through capstone courses and collaboration with Dean’s athletic teams.
  • Learn from faculty and staff who are practitioners in their fields.

RECENT STORIES

Check out the news and stories below to learn more about being an Exercise Science major at Dean.