hero image
  1. Academics
  2. Programs
  3. Exercise Science

Exercise Science

Understand Human Performance

You are interested in how the body moves, performs, adapts and recovers—and how scientific knowledge can help people improve performance, support health and meet physical demands.

In Norwich University’s Exercise Science program, you will study human movement and health while developing practical skills in assessment, exercise programming, coaching, research and professional practice.

Key Information:

Academic Roadmap

Courses & Curriculum

Career Paths

What Is Exercise Science?

Exercise science examines how physical activity affects the human body. Drawing from areas such as physiology and biomechanics, the field explores how people move, respond to exercise, improve physical capacity and maintain health over time.

Professionals apply this knowledge in settings that may include athletics, health and fitness, clinical rehabilitation, research and tactical human performance.

Exercise Science is the study of how the human body performs, adapts, and recovers. It draws on physiology, biomechanics, and nutrition to understand physical capacity and applies that understanding to improve performance, prevent injury, and support long-term health.

The field spans clinical settings, athletic programs, military installations, and rehabilitation centers. Exercise scientists work with competitive athletes, tactical populations, aging adults, and anyone whose physical capacity is central to what they do.

How Exercise Science Relates to Other Fields
Exercise science is closely related to kinesiology, physical education, athletic training and other health and movement disciplines. At Norwich, the Exercise Science program focuses on the scientific study of human movement, physical activity and performance.

The curriculum is designed for students interested in areas such as strength and conditioning, health and fitness, clinical exercise, research or graduate study. Physical education programs, by comparison, generally focus more directly on teaching movement and physical activity in school settings.

Where Can Exercise Science Lead?
An Exercise Science degree can provide a foundation for work or further study in several areas. Depending on the position, certification and graduate-education requirements, graduates may pursue opportunities related to:

  • Strength and conditioning
  • Fitness and wellness
  • Exercise physiology
  • Health promotion
  • Human-performance support
  • Research
  • Tactical strength and conditioning
  • Graduate study in physical therapy, athletic training, exercise physiology or related fields

A Growing and Changing Field

Exercise science continues to develop across health, athletics, rehabilitation and human performance. Employers increasingly use interdisciplinary teams to support physical readiness, recovery and long-term health.

Students may encounter opportunities in established settings such as fitness and rehabilitation as well as developing areas such as tactical human performance. The requirements for individual roles vary and may include professional certification or graduate education.

Your Exercise Science Experience

Program Breakdown by Year

Foundation | Year 1 
In your first year, you will begin building a foundation in biology, chemistry, anatomy, health and wellness. Shared coursework with students in related health programs can help you understand how different disciplines approach human health and prepare you for more advanced work in exercise science.

Skill Development | Year 2 
As you move into more specialized coursework, you will begin applying scientific principles to areas such as fitness assessment, exercise programming, coaching and performance evaluation.

Application | Year 3 
In your third year, advanced coursework can give you opportunities to apply assessment, coaching and program-design skills in more realistic settings. Students following the strength-and-conditioning pathway may work with members of the Corps of Cadets or other active campus populations.

This is also an appropriate place to discuss certification preparation, provided the specific certifications and pathways are verified.

Professional Practice | Year 4 
During your final year, an internship or capstone experience can help you integrate your academic preparation in a professional setting. Depending on program requirements and available placements, students may gain experience in performance, fitness, clinical, rehabilitation or research environments.

Career Outcomes

What can I do with a degree in Exercise Science?
Your degree can lead to careers in performance, rehabilitation, tactical readiness, clinical health, and graduate study.

Exercise physiologist

Work with clients managing chronic conditions in hospitals, cardiac rehab centers, and clinical settings.

Exercise physiologist careers

Certified athletic trainer

Prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries for athletes across high schools, colleges, and military installations. Accelerated master's pathway available.

Athletic trainer careers

Tactical strength & conditioning specialist

Train military personnel, firefighters, and law enforcement for the physical demands of their work.

Tactical performance careers

Human performance consultant

Help military, government, and private sector organizations improve physical capacity and reduce injury.

Human performance careers

Physical therapist

Build the science foundation for doctoral study in PT, occupational therapy, or physician assistant programs. Graduate school pathway available.

Physical therapist careers

Explore more career paths

The Center for Career Readiness can help you explore options, find internships, and plan your next steps.

Center for Career Readiness

Meet Our Faculty

Greg Jancaitis

Greg Jancaitis

Position(s):

  • Chair, Health and Human Performance
  • Director, Athletic Training Program
  • Associate Professor
Greg Jancaitis
Health and Human Performance Faculty
Group of students and a uniformed cadet practice CPR on a training mannequin while another uses a defibrillator nearby.

Health and Human Performance students at Norwich University gain critical, hands-on experience in CPR and AED use as part of their emergency medical training.

Professional Pathways

Career opportunities continue to expand across strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, and human performance. Strength coaches now work alongside military units on bases across the country. The Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness framework, H2F, is expanding opportunities for professionals in strength and conditioning, readiness, and human performance.

Athlete in a CADLAX shirt performs a weighted squat in a gym while a trainer gestures and others lift in the background.

Accreditation and Certification Preparation

Starting August 2027, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) will require accreditation to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification exams. Norwich graduates already meet the standard. 

Service members in camouflage uniforms carry heavy packs while marching in a line during outdoor training.

Recognized Curriculum Pathways

Supporting the performance and readiness of military personnel, first responders, and other tactical professionals has become a growing field of its own. Industry-recognized certification pathways are available through the NSCA Education Recognition Program.

Exercise Science at Norwich

Norwich provides a distinctive environment for studying human performance. The university’s combination of civilian and Corps of Cadets experiences can expose students to different perspectives on fitness, readiness, leadership and resilience.

Through coursework and applied experiences, students may connect classroom knowledge with the needs of active populations while preparing for interests in strength and conditioning, health, rehabilitation, research or tactical human performance.

Toggle All

Norwich’s Exercise Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. 

This accreditation may support eligibility for designated professional certification examinations, subject to the requirements established by each certifying organization.

Students in the appropriate strength-and-conditioning pathway complete coursework aligned with an NSCA-recognized curriculum. Certification requires a separate application, eligibility review and examination.

Faculty-guided research can help you move beyond learning established information to asking and investigating your own questions.

Through Norwich’s participation in the Vermont Biomedical Research Network, eligible students may apply for paid summer research opportunities and work with faculty investigators in areas related to health and human performance.

These experiences can strengthen the analytical, scientific and evidence-based thinking expected in graduate education and professional practice.

The field is expanding into roles that didn't exist a decade ago, across athletic programs, military installations, clinical settings, and graduate study.

Program Requirements

Toggle All

To view additional program details and degree plans, visit the Norwich University Course Catalog.

Next Steps: The Admissions Process

  1. Here To Help

    We're here to help you along the way.

    We are thrilled that you are considering Norwich and have a team dedicated to help you through every step. College is challenging and fun, applying should be as simple as possible. Reach out to your admissions counselor whenever you have questions or need help!

  1. Apply Now

    Complete an application online using either the Norwich app or the Common app.

    Norwich Application

    Start your application using our in-house form.

    Norwich Application

    Common App

    Already have a Common App account? Click below to apply to Norwich in minutes.

    Common App

  1. Visit Campus

    From seasonal open houses to leadership training weekends and summer camps, Norwich offers personalized events for you to get the full Norwich experience.

    • Learn about our academic programs from renowned faculty
    • Discover admissions and financial aid options
    • Enjoy a complimentary brunch in the dining hall
    • Discuss athletics opportunities with Norwich coaches
    • Tour the campus and talk with current students about life at Norwich University

    Schedule a campus visit to meet students and see Norwich in action. 

You've been accepted to Norwich University. Congratulations, you are on your way to being part of an exclusive tradition and forging your own path within our noble history of service. 

  1. Scholarships

    Upon acceptance, you’ll receive a comprehensive letter that includes the merit-based scholarships you qualify for based on your GPA.

  1. Federal Student Aid App

    To be considered for additional aid, you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). By completing the free application you'll learn if you are eligible for grants, scholarships, work-study programs, or loans for college or career school.

    Note: FAFSA will open on or before December 1st, 2024 per the U.S. Department of Education.

    www.usa.gov/fafsa

  1. Review Your Financial Aid Package

    We’re here to help you every step of the way. Your admissions counselor is just a phone call, email, or text away. Schedule a personal consultation to review your complete financial aid package together. Contact your admissions counselor at any time throughout the process.

  1. Secure Your Spot

    Ready to exceed expectations and defy limits? Secure your spot at Norwich with a non-refundable enrollment deposit.

    Submit your enrollment deposit

  1. Stress-free Arrival

    Once you're accepted, you'll begin Norwich's unique Start Ready process to help you complete intake paperwork and prepare you for a stress-free campus arrival. 

    Check out the Start Ready Checklist for details.