The Best Colleges for an Exercise Science Degree

University of Florida

• The University of Florida is listed by both Academic Analytics and PhD.org as the top college for an exercise science degree. Florida offers an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor's of Science in physiology and kinesiology, and students may specialize in either exercise physiology or fitness and wellness. At the graduate level, the University of Florida offers both a master's and doctoral program in exercise physiology, including a clinical option that does not require a master's thesis. Research labs are available for both graduate and undergraduate research in exercise science. Admission to the undergraduate exercise physiology program is competitive, with only 57 percent of applicants accepted. Financial aid supports 65 percent of graduate students in the program.

  The University of Florida
  Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology
  Room 100, FLG
  Gainesville, FL 32611
  352-392-0584
  hhp.ufl.edu

University of South Carolina at Columbia

• The University of South Carolina at Columbia is ranked as the third best college for an exercise science degree by Academic Analytics and one of the top 12 kinesiology programs by PhD.org. Undergraduates pursue a Bachelor's of Science in exercise science, and choose an emphasis in health fitness, motor development, public health or scientific foundations. In the master's and doctoral programs, students choose an emphasis in applied physiology, health aspects of physical activity, or motor control and rehabilitation. Related graduate programs at USC include a doctoral program in physical therapy and a Master's of Public Health in physical activity. Several research labs are available for student research, and USC runs community exercise science programs that are staffed by graduate students. According to Academic Analytics, every faculty member in the exercise science department has published a scholarly article in an academic journal.

  University of South Carolina
  Department of Exercise Science
  1300 Wheat St.
  Columbia, SC 29208
  803-777-5267
  sph.sc.edu

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

• The kinesiology and community health department at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign offers both graduate and undergraduate exercise science degrees. The undergraduate degree program is set apart by the number of research and intern opportunities available in area high schools, clinics and health clubs. In the Master of Science degree program, kinesiology students choose an emphasis in biobehavioral kinesiology, pedagogical studies or exercise physiology. The kinesiology department also offers a doctoral degree in kinesiology. This university ranked as one of the top five schools on the PhD.org list of best graduate degree programs for exercise science, and the 2010 U.S. News and World Report ranked Urbana-Champaign as the 39th best national university overall.

  The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Kinesiology and Community Health
  906 S. Goodwin Ave.
  Urbana, IL 61801
  217-333-2461
  kch.illinois.edu