Exercise Science

Department Overview

Meet diverse health and performance needs.

Whether you want to be a physical therapist, occupational therapist, athletic trainer, personal trainer, strength and conditioning professional, coach, or physician assistant, you will find top-notch preparation at Grove City College. Our thoughtfully designed program will equip you with the knowledge and skills to meet diverse health and performance needs in a fast-growing and ever-changing field. Through multidisciplinary coursework — integrated with laboratory and field-based experiential learning — you will grow in your understanding of the human body and your ability to apply evidence-based practices to help people improve their physical performance, fitness, health, and overall quality of life. 

Strengthen your gifts. 

With six concentrations to choose from and an optional minor in nutrition, you will have the freedom and professional guidance to solidify and pursue your career goals from day one. Our rigorous curriculum is based on the American College of Sports Medicine standards, preparing you with a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, exercise prescription, nutrition, wellness, clinical populations, statistics, and sports performance, as well as exposure to biology, chemistry, and physics.

Learn from hands-on faculty mentors.

In and out of the classroom, our expert faculty are committed to student success and will go the extra mile to help you dig deeper through research and conversation. They will assist you in finding internships that suit your unique goals and will also guide you to determine your career path early so you are ready for employment or graduate school placement. Moreover, your professors will faithfully point you to Christ as the master healer and encourage you personally so that you thrive in your career and in life.

Conduct research, intern, and grow professionally.

Our unique research opportunities will give you a significant advantage over the average exercise science graduate. Conducted in our human performance laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment, research is incorporated into every exercise science major’s experience at Grove City College. A rare opportunity at the undergraduate level, students in their junior or senior year design an original proposal or assist a faculty member with current research and present it on campus — and often beyond. 

Many students take their research to national conferences and earn publication in peer-reviewed journals. Developing a research proposal strengthens your creativity and problem-solving skills while building confidence. Likewise, the required internship component of your degree will give you excellent real-world experience and bolster your resume. You will also greatly benefit from networking opportunities with professionals who attend our annual Exercise Science Symposium and other on-campus speakers throughout the year.

Enjoy amazing career outcomes. 

Year after year, 95% of Grove City College graduates land a job or enter into graduate school within six months of graduation. You too will feel “overprepared” for grad school and your career — and ready to succeed on professional certification exams like the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification or the Exercise Physiologists Certification (taken prior to graduation). 

While most of our majors obtain immediate employment, others continue their studies in a wide range of top professional and graduate programs across the country. Thanks to articulation agreements with schools like Baylor, Duquesne, Gannon University, Clarion, LECOM, and Slippery Rock University (for programs ranging from physical therapy and occupational therapy to athletic training to physician assistant studies), you will have many next-step opportunities available.* Many of our students obtain assistantships in graduate school due to their advanced experience in research and field work. Regardless of your path, you will be prepared to skillfully support patients and clients on their paths to wellness.

*Grove City College has early acceptance agreements with medical schools such as LECOM. Please keep in mind that these programs require standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) for admission, so you should plan to take one of these tests prior to high school graduation.

Department Fact Sheet

Grove City College's exercise science program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). CAAHEP awarded accreditation to the program in 2014 after a peer review and vote conducted by the CAAHEP board of directors and the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES).

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

The Department of Exercise Science at Grove City College offers students the opportunity to conduct meaningful, relevant research alongside experienced and accomplished faculty. All exercise science students are required to design, plan, and execute a research project.