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Bachelor of Science in
Exercise Science
On-Campus

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Wall Street Journal ranks Cornerstone University as one of America's best colleges 2025.

Transfer Friendly
Transfer up to 75% of your program credits

Cultivate Wellness with a B.S. in Exercise Science Degree

Prepare for a rewarding career in health, fitness, or rehabilitation with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Cornerstone University, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Become equipped to conduct health and fitness assessments, design exercise programs, and guide clients toward lasting lifestyle changes. Tailor your degree, taught from a Christian worldview of health and healing, with concentrations in Cardiac Rehabilitation, Pre-Occupational Therapy, or Pre-Physical Therapy to align with your career goals and purpose.

Market-Ready Skills for Exercise Science Degree Professionals

Develop these highly valued skills acquired through Cornerstone University’s comprehensive curriculum, which also offers concentrations in Cardiac Rehabilitation, Pre-Occupational Therapy or Pre-Physical Therapy:

Health & Fitness Assessment – Conduct comprehensive evaluations to analyze physical health, endurance, strength and flexibility.​

Exercise Program Design & Implementation – Develop and tailor fitness and rehabilitation programs for diverse needs.​

Kinesiology & Biomechanics – Understand human movement to enhance performance, prevent injuries and aid rehabilitation.​

Strength & Conditioning – Apply training principles to improve athletic performance and physical fitness.​

Rehabilitation & Injury Prevention – Assist in therapeutic exercises, injury recovery and strategies to reduce injury risk.​

Cardiac & Clinical Rehabilitation – Guide patients recovering from heart conditions with safe, monitored exercise programs.​

Physical & Occupational Therapy Techniques – Support rehabilitation efforts by improving mobility, strength and functional independence.​

Nutrition & Wellness Coaching – Guide diet, lifestyle habits and overall well-being.

Christ-Centered Leadership & Communication – Apply Christian principles to lead and innovate with integrity and to communicate effectively in health and wellness settings.

Courses

Cornerstone is ready to help you excel in the health and wellness field. The courses below reflect just a few general education and industry-focused courses you will experience to achieve your degree.

Featured Courses

KIN-341: Anatomical Kinesiology

Learn the musculoskeletal system, qualitative analysis of human movement, and biomechanical principles applicable to exercise and sport.

KIN-346: Exercise Testing & Prescription

Gain practical experience in body composition analysis, electrocardiography, muscle strength and endurance assessments, flexibility evaluations, and cardiovascular endurance testing, culminating in exercise prescriptions aligned with American College of Sports Medicine guidelines.

KIN-362: First Aid, Injury Prevention, Treatment

Teaches injury prevention, evaluation, and rehabilitation methods, with practical experience in care techniques. Students earn American Red Cross certifications in First Aid, CPR, AED, Blood Borne Pathogen Training, and Concussion Training.

KIN-444: Advanced Exercise Physiology

Understand integrative physiological responses to exercise, contemporary research, and human physiology during rest and physical activity.

View all of the courses for your academic program.

Academic Catalog

General Education

A Christian Worldview of Liberal Arts and the G.O.O.D. Life

The humanities are integral to Cornerstone’s liberal arts approach, exploring culture, literature, history, and philosophy through a Christian worldview. Developed by our renowned Christian worldview scholars, students consider how to apply G.O.O.D. Life Biblical principles to inspire their spiritual growth and to profoundly influence society, industry and ministry for Jesus Christ. Our G.O.O.D. Life foundations guide students to answer life’s biggest questions from a rich Biblical perspective to shape Christ-centered moral leaders.

  • God: Who is God? What is His beauty, goodness and greatness?
  • Others: What does it mean to live in a community with responsibility and grace?
  • Ourselves: Who am I? What is the beauty and frailty of being human?
  • Dual Citizenship: What is my role as a citizen of heaven and earth?
  • Life: How do we live, know, and love the good life, valuing truth, beauty, and goodness?

Exercise Science Concentrations

Customize your program with a concentration as you engage in extensive course offerings and hands-on training.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac Rehabilitation Concentration

Learn to design and implement safe, evidence-based exercise programs for individuals recovering from cardiovascular conditions, promoting heart health and overall wellness.

  • PSY-239: Adult Psychology – Explores psychological development and challenges from young adulthood to the end of life.
  • SCI-242: Medical Terminology – Learn medical vocabulary focusing on definitions, spelling, and pronunciation for health-related careers.
  • SCI-346: Pharmacology – Examine pharmacology principles, including calculations, regulations, administration, safety and medications, their effects, side effects and contraindications.
  • BIO-353: Pathophysiology – Examine disease processes including cell injury, inflammation, immune response, and neoplasia, using a systematic approach from diagnosis to treatment.
  • KIN-361: ECG (Electrocardiography) – Explore heart anatomy, conduction, 12-lead ECG basics, lead placement, interpretation and acute MI-related changes.
  • KIN-364: Cardiovascular Disease Risk/Management – Learn risk factors for cardiovascular and chronic diseases, focusing on management and impact on morbidity and mortality.
  • KIN-381: Internship – Cardiac Rehab – Provides clinical experience in cardiac rehabilitation, preparing students for ACSM Certified Exercise Physiology certification. Requires 12 credits (480 hours) for Cardiac Rehab majors.

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration

Gain foundations in human movement, health sciences, and rehabilitation to support individuals in regaining daily function and independence.

  • PSY-111: General Psychology – Introduces key psychology concepts, theories, and methods, covering development, personality, perception, learning and disorders.
  • SOC-111: Intro to Sociology – Introduces sociology, its subfields, theoretical perspectives, and the study of social institutions and processes.
  • PSY-235: Lifespan Development Psychology – Examine human development from conception to end of life through a bio-psycho-social-spiritual lens, exploring key theories and applications.
  • SCI-242: Medical Terminology – Learn medical vocabulary, definitions, spelling, and pronunciation for health-related careers.
  • PSY-353: Abnormal Psychology – Explore major mental disorders and their symptoms, causes, and treatment, including anxiety, mood, personality, and psychotic disorders.
  • PSY-441: Physiological Psychology – Connect the relationship between physiology and behavior, including neurological disorders, motor function, language, memory, learning and emotion.

Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration

Gain foundations in movement science, rehabilitation, and human physiology for careers in physical therapy and related fields.

  • PSY-111: General Psychology – Learn key figures, concepts, theories, and methods in psychology, development, personality, perception, learning, biopsychology and disorders.
  • CHM-121: General Chemistry I – Explores substance composition, properties, and reactions, emphasizing atomic structure, periodic trends, gases and thermodynamics. Includes biblical stewardship in chemical use.
  • CHM-122: General Chemistry II – Examine reaction types, rates, electrochemistry, equilibria, nuclear chemistry and qualitative analysis. Emphasizes real-world applications and chemical safety.
  • PHY-211: General Physics I – Learn mechanics, heat, sound, and wave motion through hands-on experiences.
  • PHY-212: General Physics II – Examine electricity, magnetism, light, and modern physics through experiential learning.

Influential Careers with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science Degree

  • Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist
  • Exercise Physiologist
  • Physical Therapist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Rehabilitation Therapist
  • Kinesiologist
  • Athletic Trainer
  • Wellness/Health Coach
  • Clinical Research Assistant (Exercise Science)
  • Rehab and Therapy Medical Sales Representative

Tuition

On-Campus

$22,000 per year

Generous scholarship and payment options available.
Review information about student fees and housing packages on our Tuition & Fees page.

ScholarshipsFile the FAFSA

Your Degree Starts Here

Start your degree at one of the most affordable Christian universities in the region. An admissions counselor is ready to help you begin the enrollment process.

  1. Apply — our application is free.
  2. Set goals — your admissions counselor is here to guide you.
  3. Maximize your credits — you could transfer in up to 75% of your degree credits.
  4. Discover affordability — scholarships and grants are available for qualified students.

Cornerstone University

Hours

MON - FRI: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
SAT & SUN: Closed

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