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Exercise scientists study the relationship between exercise participation and human health, and research focuses on understanding why regular physical activity prevents disease and promotes health.
The mission of the Department of Exercise Science (EXSC) is to expand and disseminate the body of knowledge concerning the relationship between physical activity and human health.
Career opportunities exist in academic institutions, hospitals, medical clinics, research laboratories, physical therapy facilities, rehabilitation facilities, perceptual-motor development clinics, health and fitness centers, and public health agencies. Jobs in the field include clinical exercise physiologist, motor rehabilitation specialist, health fitness instructor, professor of exercise science, research scientist, physical therapist and cardiac rehabilitation program director.
The department’s Ph.D. program, which is ranked #1 in the United States by the National Academy of Kinesiology, prepares graduates for
entry into positions in universities, colleges, research institutes and research oriented clinical
settings. Areas of specialization are applied physiology, health aspects of physical
activity, and motor behavior/rehabilitation. Specific research emphases correspond
to those listed for the departmental faculty. The M.S. program allows students to
emphasize expansion of research competence (for those who plan on pursuing a Ph.D.
degree or further graduate study) or to focus on professional and clinical aspects of
the field with concentrations in cardiac rehabilitation corporate wellness, and motor
control/development.
The goal of the department’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program is to produce graduates
who possess the skills necessary to be reflective practitioners and who can conduct
clinical research and scholarly activity necessary for the advancement of physical
therapy as an evidence-based profession.
In addition to the bachelor degree in exercise science, we offer four advanced degrees. Each graduate degree has specific application deadlines and requirements.
Faculty members from across the Arnold School received funding through the Office of the Vice President for Research’s Advanced Support for Innovative Research Excellence (ASPIRE) program.
Exercise science graduate Mackenzie Walker is pursuing a career combining occupational therapy with adaptive sports and recreation. This fall, she'll begin UofSC's Master of Science in Adapted Physical Education program.
During his Master of Science in Advance Athletic Training program, Kacey Ohlemeyer has developed interests in nutrition, manual therapy, professionalism and outcome measures. Next, he'll complete a complete an athletic training residency in orthopedics and diagnostics.
Arnold School faculty will lead and/or contribute to 17 of the 42 projects recently funded through a special internal initiative from the Office of the Vice President for Research to support research and scholarship related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congratulations to Zach Goldberg, who won the Steven N. Swanger Award, and to the many public health and exercise science students who were recognized with 37 Outstanding Senior Awards and 15 President's Awards from UofSC.