What Kinds of Exercise-Related Degrees Can I Pursue Online?

Exercise physiology is the study of how your body reacts and changes as the result of physical activity and exercise. Online programs in this field lead to degrees in exercise science or health and wellness management. You can earn an Associate of Applied Science or a Bachelor of Science in these fields. Currently, no online programs are offered in exercise physiology; however, these related programs offer similar courses of study including topics in exercise physiology.

Online programs offer instruction via online classrooms, video and audio presentations, and webinars. Programs offered entirely online suggest that you enhance your online learning experience by attending local seminars offered through outside agencies. Online programs that have physical locations close to you may offer a hybrid learning experience. This allows you to complete some classes online and others in person, creating opportunities for more hands-on experience.

Can I Earn Exercise Physiology Degrees On Campus?

Many campus-based programs offer degrees in exercise physiology. You can pursue a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology. At the bachelor’s degree level, you can choose to focus on a specific concentration of study. For example, you could focus on disease prevention and management, using exercise to help diagnose cardiovascular problems. Completing concentrations allows you to sit for specific certification exams, such as those offered through the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

What Topics Will I Study?

Whether you choose an online program or campus-based program, you will study many of the same topics. At the associate’s and bachelor’s degree level, you will take at least one class devoted to exercise physiology. You will learn how heat, humidity and cold affect athletic performance and how to create optimal performance depending on the conditions. You could also learn about nutrition, strength and conditioning techniques, or metabolism. At the graduate level, you will focus your studies on a specific area related to your career goals, such as child and youth fitness.

What Kinds of Careers Can I Pursue?

Career options are the same or similar for graduates with associate’s or bachelor’s degrees in exercise science or health and wellness management. You might become an athletic coach, personal trainer, wellness coach or health club manager.

If you pursue an on-campus bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology, you may have additional career options open to you. You might work for a sports team or in a sports training facility helping to train elite athletes. Specific bachelor’s degree concentrations can prepare you for admission to graduate programs. Master’s degree programs in exercise physiology can offer specific concentrations that allow you to enter additional career fields, like physical therapy or physician assistant. Advanced degrees can also lead to leadership positions, such as a fitness program director, while a Ph.D. can allow you to pursue a career in postsecondary teaching and research.