Bridge basic biology, exercise physiology, sports nutrition and psychology through clinical applications.
Develop an understanding of how the body works and how exercise impacts physical performance and brain function. Bridge basic biology, exercise physiology, sports nutrition and psychology through clinical applications. You’ll learn how to apply these scientific concepts to athletic and exercise performance and design effective fitness practices for individuals of all health, age and fitness levels.
This program prepares students for both entry-level positions in health, fitness, and exercise science and as pre-professional training for a variety of healthcare-related programs (i.e., athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy). Graduates of this program will be prepared to assess, design, and implement individual and group exercise and fitness programs for both healthy individuals and those with controlled diseases. In addition to knowledge and skills associated with physiology, exercise science professionals also must be knowledgeable and skilled in evaluating health behaviors and behavior modification and motivation techniques necessary to promote and maintain positive lifestyle behaviors. Rider achieves this through small class and laboratory sizes allowing direct, hands-on instruction, and faculty accessibility. Students also have opportunities to do research with faculty via work-study or independent study. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who provides academic advice and career guidance tailored to the student's needs. Students completing this program will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for entry-level exercise science employment in the public and private industries and/or graduate study in related areas.
Students may be eligible for a number of nationally recognized certifications in the field (i.e., American College of Sports Medicine Certification, National Strength and Conditioning Association, National Academy of Sports Medicine) and may pursue employment in various healthcare and/or public health settings in and around exercise and healthy lifestyle interventions. Students will also be able to use their degree as a platform for a wide range of graduate degree programming including, but not limited to: physical therapy, exercise physiology, physician’s assistant, occupational therapy, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and public health.
Flex your knowledge beyond the classroom
Put your learned techniques and wellness strategies to work on diverse patient populations, including athletes from Rider’s 20 NCAA Division I sports teams, and benefit from faculty-led research projects and hands-on internship opportunities including a presence at state, regional and national conferences. You will have many opportunities to gain hands-on experience with Rider’s 20 Division I athletic teams.