Job Options With an Exercise Science Degree
Exercise science is the study of how exercise affects the human body on all levels from the physical to psychological. A degree in exercise science may be qualification for, or a first step toward, a broad range of career options, including sports medicine physician, coach and physical therapist.
Job Options
Personal Trainer
Personal trainers develop and implement exercise plans to suit the fitness goals and needs of their clients. These programs are designed with consideration for the client's age, physical ability and any additional health issues. The exercise program can also include a dietary component that is developed by the trainer. In addition to a degree in exercise science, personal trainers often earn certification through organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine and American Council on Exercise.
Personal trainers can be hired by private gyms, sports clubs and universities to help clients, students and athletes. Trainers can also be self-employed private trainers who are hired by individual clients. According to information reported by the online salary database Salary.com, personal trainers earn between $38,020-$64,720 annually, as of August 2010.
Coach
Coaches must know their players' abilities and limits in addition to knowing how best to utilize exercise to strengthen the team and avoid injuries. Coaches teach both the fundamentals and advanced aspects of sports and evaluate individual team members' performance. They then use that information to help their players maximize strengths and improve their weaknesses.
In August of 2010, a survey of head coaches showed that the typical annual salary for this position ranges from $40,228-$60,471, according to Salary.com. Coaches can work for K-12 schools, colleges and universities or private sports teams. Some high school sports coaches also work as teachers, and must have a valid teaching license in order to work.
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists develop rehabilitative programs for people suffering from injury or chronic illness to relieve pain, improve mobility and increase strength. Physical therapists evaluate a patient's physical problems and abilities and maintain or improve their condition using exercises and therapy techniques. Professionals in this field also determine how effective the therapy is expected to be and make recommendations to doctors if, or when, to conclude the therapy. '
While an undergraduate degree in exercise science may be a good introduction to this career field, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that a graduate degree is necessary to become a physical therapist (www.bls.gov). According to the BLS, every state in the U.S. requires working physical therapists to be licensed Requirements for this license vary by state, and may include passing the National Physical Therapy Examination and taking continuing education classes. Salary.com data from August 2010 indicates that physical therapists earn between $68,874-$78,535 every year.
Sports Medicine Physician
Sports teams of all kinds require physicians trained in the treatment and prevention of injuries associated with sports, including bone, joint and muscle injuries. Sports physicians also help athletes with conditions like asthma that are not caused by sport, but impact athletic performance. A sports physician may evaluate a player's predisposition to injuries and his ability to participate in the sport before joining the team and after a major injury.
A degree in exercise science alone isn't sufficient preparation for this career. Sports medicine doctors need to attend medical school and earn their medical license before practicing medicine. Some medical degree programs may allow students to focus their studies on sports medicine topics like orthopedics and exercise nutrition. According to Salary.com data from August 2010, a sports medicine physician can earn a salary ranging from $173,766-$310,093.
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30 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Doctorate
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- PhD in Education - Sports Management
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Master
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- MEd in Athletic Coaching
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- MEd in Sports Management
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Non-Degree
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- Education Specialist in Sports Management
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- MS in Sport Management
- MS in Sport Management: Athletic Administration Concentration
- MS Sport Management: Certificate in International Sport Management
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- International MBA in Athletic Administration
- International MBA in Sport Management
- MBA Certificate in International Sport Management
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- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Bachelor
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- BS in Sport Management
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- BS in Management - Sport Management
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Associate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must live within close proximity to school locations
- Must be graduated from high school by 2011
School locations:
- Arizona (1 campus)
- Florida (1 campus)
- Texas (1)
Classroom-Based Programs
- Associate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- Master of Science in Education - Allied Health Teaching and Leadership
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Bachelor
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- Bachelor of Science - Sport Management
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- BS in Health Science
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- California (1 campus)
- Colorado (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Texas (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Master
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- MS in Health Services Management
- Bachelor
- Associate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 17 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Non-Degree
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- Career Diploma - Home Health Aide (Certified)
