Exercise science department honors student award winners
The 2025 Outstanding Exercise Science Student Award winners were chosen for their academic achievements, community service and leadership roles.
Exercise Science has become an increasingly valued discipline within public health, the medical community, and even high-performance environments. Exercise has even been acknowledged for its role in the treatment of heart disease, hypertension, obesity, type II diabetes, cancer, depression, anxiety, and other chronic diseases & stress related disorders.
The mission of the Department of Exercise Science (EXSC) is to promote an environment of excellence and achievement in human health and performance. As part of our forward-thinking vision, EXSC is used as a resource to train the next generation of scientists and practitioners in the latest techniques and technologies in the field. In addition to advancing the science, we emphasize translation of this research for greater integration into practice and application.
The department’s Ph.D. program has consistently been ranked as one of the top 5 programs in the United States by the National Academy of Kinesiology. Our program prepares graduates for entry into positions in universities, colleges, research oriented settings, and industry. Specific areas of research specialties correspond to those listed for the departmental faculty.
Degrees Offered
In addition to the bachelor degree in exercise science, we offer four advanced degrees. Each graduate degree has specific application deadlines and requirements.
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (BS)
- Master of Science in Exercise Science (MS)
- Master of Science in Performance Nutrition and Dietetics (MS)
- Master of Science in Advanced Athletic Training (MS)
- Master of Public Health in Physical Activity and Public Health (MPH)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise Science (PhD)
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Exercise Science News
Seven Arnold School faculty awarded ASPIRE and ASPIRE AI funding
The Office of the Vice President for Research has announced the recipients of the 2025 Advanced Support for Innovative Research Excellence (ASPIRE) and ASPIRE AI awards to fund 27 scholarly projects.
Young Alumni Council names two Arnold School graduates to 2025 Gamecocks35
Arnold School alumni Adam Mayer (Exercise Science, '15) and Jamiko Cooper (Public Health, '11; MHA, '13) have been selected by the Young Alumni Council as part of Gamecock35 — a cohort of outstanding USC graduates under the age of 35.
Remembering Distinguished Professor Emeritus Harriet Williams, who was instrumental to the exercise science department's founding and growth
While her specialty was working with children and their motor development, Williams looked at movement across the lifespan and was also known for her work in preventing and reducing falls among older adults.
Top graduate student award winners announced
The top master's and doctoral students were honored at the annual Hooding Ceremony. Julie Warren (M.S. in Advanced Athletic Training) received the Jeffrey Keith Mattison Award, and Hannah Parker (Ph.D. in Exercise Science) won the Doctoral Achievement Award.
Leadership, research roles prep exercise science grad for career in health care
Outstanding Exercise Science Student Award winner Hailey Karns found her home away from home in the Honors College and completes her tenure at USC this month with Graduation with Leadership Distinction and a 4.0 GPA.