BS in Exercise Physiology | Exercise Physiology Degree

Explore Movement and Change Lives through Exercise Physiology

St. Scholastica’s Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology program will help you understand how the body moves, performs and adapts to physical activity. You’ll explore how key body systems respond to everything from intense workouts to rehabilitation. It’s a dynamic field that connects science with real-world impact.

You’ll study in the Burns Wellness Commons, a vibrant, energy-filled space and cutting-edge equipment. With support from experienced faculty and small class sizes, you’ll build strong connections and gain hands-on skills that prepare you for wherever your career takes you.

Develop Essential Skills through Experiential Learning

In addition to classroom instruction and laboratory experiences, students will have opportunities to work with real clients in various settings prior to their internships. You’ll emerge from the Exercise Physiology program well-prepared to attend graduate school or start a career in fitness, cardiac rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, corporate wellness and other fields. Whether you want to help people recover, improve performance or live healthier lives, this program opens the door to a variety of careers.

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The program prepared me for both clinical and performance-based employment.

Cody Carlson

Benedictine Scholarship

All new first-year applicants to St. Scholastica will be awarded either the Benedictine Scholarship or the Access Award, upon admission to the College.

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Financial Aid

100% of traditional incoming undergraduates receive some type of scholarships. The average for scholarships, grants and/or loans is $31,841.

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Degree Details

Tuition

Are You Looking for a Face-to-Face (on-campus) Experience?

St. Scholastica’s longstanding commitment to inclusivity and generous financial aid packages make our world-class educational programs accessible to students from any background.

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Fees

Program fees: $115

Curriculum

Visit our Catalog to view the program, course and degree requirements, and learning outcomes. Be sure to create your course plan in consultation with your advisor.

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Internships

St. Scholastica’s Exercise Physiology program offers flexible internships to help you grow and explore your career path. Benefits of our internships include:

The program allows students to complete an internship, which puts their interests and objectives first
The internship is designed for maximum flexibility in terms of career options, location preferences and term of completion
Internship options range from cardiac rehabilitation to corporate wellness to strength and conditioning
Internship sites include the Duluth-Superior and Twin Cities areas. Out-of-state and international internship opportunities are also available.
100% internship completion rate in the most recent accreditation report (2023-2024)

Career Outlook

The BS in Exercise Physiology offers a dynamic foundation for anyone passionate about health, fitness and human performance. Whether you’re interested in cardiac rehab, strength and conditioning, corporate wellness or general fitness, this degree opens doors to a wide range of entry-level opportunities. It’s also excellent for those wanting to pursue graduate study in fields like exercise physiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, chiropractic or physician assistant.

Pair with a Language

Boost your brainpower and give yourself a competitive edge in our global economy by pairing your major with a language. St. Scholastica offers programs and courses in American Sign Language, German, Ojibwe and Spanish.

Accreditation

The BS in Exercise Physiology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and meets the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Exercise Sciences. Included in this CAAHEP accreditation is a “Strength and Conditioning add-on” which requires additional curricular content in strength and conditioning.

Admission Information

Visit our admissions page for information about transcripts, online application, international admissions, financing and the Center for Equal Access.

DPT Admission Pathway

St. Scholastica offers an early assurance pathway to our Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. High school and transfer students with a strong academic record are eligible to apply for the criterion-based, early admission program when they apply to St. Scholastica for the Exercise Physiology (BS) or Pre-Physical Therapy programs. A maximum of 20 applicants are accepted into the early assurance pathway each year. This guarantees that students who successfully apply and maintain their eligibility will be accepted into the DPT program.

Eligibility and Admission Process

Eligibility

High School Students

Students applying directly from high school must have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Transfer Students

Undergraduate students transferring from another college or university must have a cumulative college GPA of 3.3 or higher and require at least 60 additional credits taken at St. Scholastica to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Admission Process

Apply for admission to The College of St. Scholastica and declare your intent to pursue either Exercise Physiology (BS) or Pre-Physical Therapy
Declare intent to pursue the Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate program on the admission application
Prepare an essay with a minimum of 500 words for the following prompt: Grounded in a values-based, inclusive and student-centered culture, we develop physical therapists who are prepared for meaningful work as clinicians, scholars and leaders. Please share with the committee your career goals after college graduation and how you believe a St. Scholastica education will impact your work and what outcomes you hope to accomplish through your professional work.
Applications for the early assurance pathway will close on February 1. Applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by the Office of Admissions and eligible applicants will be offered a place in the early assurance pathway until the 20 slots are filled. Please submit your prepared statement to admissions@css.edu by the deadline.
Applications received after February 1 will be reviewed if open slots are available
Students who meet the criteria but apply after the 20 slots are full will be placed on a waitlist and can be entered into the pathway if one of the 20 students opts out or fails to meet the requirements noted below
Students who are not admitted into this pathway remain eligible to apply to the St. Scholastica Doctor of Physical Therapy program through the standard application process

Maintaining Eligibility

Students admitted into the DPT early assurance pathway must meet the following criteria to remain eligible for entry into the DPT graduate program:

Maintain a 3.3 cumulative GPA while a student at St. Scholastica and complete their undergraduate degree
Complete all DPT program prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
Meet St. Scholastica student behavior expectations as outlined in the Student Handbook, Code of Conduct and Policy Library

Prior to entry into the DPT program, students on this pathway must also:

Participate in planned DPT program integration experiences
Apply to the DPT program through the Physical Therapy Central Application System (PTCAS). Applications must be submitted by the posted due date.
Pass a federal and state background check
Submit a final academic transcript

Students on this pathway are strongly encouraged to complete a minimum of 40 hours observing, volunteering or working in a physical therapy setting. Ideally, students should experience two unique physical therapy practice settings (inpatient, outpatient, etc.).

Meet Our Faculty

Experienced, Dedicated and Distinguished Educators

Expect to be heard, to be challenged and to be involved. St. Scholastica faculty are world-class scholars and experts in their field who invest in your success. Our values of community, respect, stewardship, hospitality and love of learning reflect our faculty’s commitment to lifting up others and celebrating our common humanity.

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Students practicing splinting in the Assistive Technology Lab at St. Scholastica.

Bachelor of Science Exercise Physiology