Wartburg’s exercise science major combines the school’s long tradition of success in health sciences with its dominance in athletics to create a program that will help fill a growing demand in a wide range of health-related fields. Students get to know faculty in a very personalized environment.

In the first year of the program, exercise science students will take many of the same courses as students in the college’s renowned biology program. During the second year, the programs will start to diverge when exercise science students begin taking courses specific to their major, including human nutrition, advanced exercise physiology, exercise testing and prescription, kinesiology, and a “current topics” course. Though not required, students are strongly encouraged to complete an internship where they can observe, plan, and implement fitness programs in a real-world setting.

Graduates can go on to study athletic training or physical therapy in graduate school, attend nursing or medical school, or further study one of the core areas in exercise science. Those seeking immediate entry into the workforce can find opportunities in commercial, community, corporate, and clinical health-fitness facilities.