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Health and Exercise Science

Health and Exercise Science

Undergraduate

Are you ready to get moving?

Simmons University’s Health and Exercise Science program prepares you for rewarding careers within the healthcare, fitness, and wellness fields.

You will receive a solid foundation in the sciences of exercise and health through hands-on experiences and coursework in the health and fitness industry. Learn how the human body moves, performs, and heals through courses in anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, exercise physiology, and nutrition.

You will learn to assess fitness, design exercise programs, prevent injuries, and promote overall wellness. The curriculum also covers health psychology, behavior change, and research methods to help you understand the physical and mental factors influencing health.

Throughout your time in the program, you’ll have the opportunity to conduct clinical research, work in rehabilitation settings, develop, and lead group exercise and physical activity programs, and more. These opportunities provide skills mastered through service learning engagement with community organizations, and in Boston’s world-class health centers.

Health and Exercise degree career pathways

The Health and Exercise Science major is excellent preparation for graduate school in fields such as physical therapy, nutrition, public health, and behavioral analysis. Explore career tracks in the allied healthcare space on our Pre-Health Professions Track page.

At Simmons, we offer programs to fast-track your studies to advanced degrees and exciting career opportunities. Learn more about our accelerated Health and Exercise Science + Nutrition and Health Promotion (4+1) and Doctor of Physical Therapy program (3+3).

Program Requirements

Majors will complete four prerequisite courses, a core consisting of ten courses plus one elective spread out across their four years. All Majors are required to have CPR and First Aid Certifications by March 1 of their senior year. 3+3 Health and Exercise Science/DPT students should refer to the undergraduate DPT course sequence in the course catalog. The suggested four-year sequence for core courses is detailed below.

First Year

BIOL113	General Biology	4
CHEM111	Principles of General Chemistry	4
	OR
CHEM113	General & Quantitative Chemistry I	4
CHEM112	Principles of Organic Chemistry	4

BIOL 113, CHEM 111, CHEM 113, and CHEM 112 all include labs.

BIOL 113, and STAT 118 or STAT 239: prereq. for BIOL 246.

CHEM 111, CHEM 112: prereq. for BIOL 231.

First Year or Sophomore Year

STAT118	Introductory Statistics	4
PSYC101	Introduction to Psychological Science	4
NUTR112	Introduction to Nutrition Science	4
EXSC100	Introduction to Exercise Science	2
EXSC110	Form and Function in Resistance Exercise	2

Sophomore Year

BIOL231	Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BIOL232	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
BIOL246	Foundations of Exercise and Health	4

BIOL 231, BIOL 232, and BIOL 246 all include labs.

Junior Year

BIOL332	Exercise Physiology	4
PSYC232	Health Psychology	4
EXSC361	Exercise Assessment & Prescription	4
	CPR with AED Training -offered during DPT orientation-junior year summer

BIOL 332 and EXSC 361 include labs.

BIOL 332: prereq. for EXSC 361.

First Aid Certification offered during EXSC 361 lab at cost.

Senior Year

BIOL362	Kinesiology	4
BIOL370	Internship	4

BIOL 362 includes lab

BIOL 370: 8 credits (4 credits in Fall and 4 credits in Spring)

** Students in both the 3+3 accelerated and the 4 + 3 BS Health and Exercise Science and DPT programs require 2 semesters of physics prior to entering the grad program: PHYS 110 and PHYS 111; both courses include labs.

In addition, students on the 3+3 DPT track do NOT complete BIOL 362 or BIOL 370.

Courses in DPT curriculum that satisfy Health and Exercise Science degree requirements

DPT 612 and DPT 672: Serve as a replacement for BIOL 370 (Fall)
DPT 613 and DPT 673: Serve as a replacement for BIOL 370 (Spring)
DPT 621 and DPT 622: Serve as a replacement for BIOL 362
DPT 652: Serves as a replacement for 2nd EXSC elective (1st met by PHYS 110)

DPT612	Professional Seminar I	1
DPT672	Frameworks of Physical Therapy: Musculoskeletal I	7
DPT613	Professional Seminar II	1
DPT673	Frameworks of Physical Therapy: Musculoskeletal II	7
DPT621	Human Anatomy	7
DPT622	Movement Science I	3
DPT652	Evidence Informed Practice I	2

Health and Exercise Science Electives

AST232	Race, Gender & Health	4
BIOL221	Microbiology	4
BIOL233	Strength and Conditioning	4
BIOL334	Neurobiology	4
BIOL336	Genetics	4
BIOL337	Molecular Biology	4
CHEM223	Principles of Biochemistry	4
CHEM224	Organic Chemistry I	4
CHEM225	Organic Chemistry II	4
CHEM345	Biochemistry	4
EXSC233	Strength and Conditioning	4
	Mind-Body Medicine
NUTR110	Sociocultural Implications of Nutrition	4
NUTR215	Sports Nutrition	4
NUTR311A	Nutrient Metabolism Part I	4
NUTR360	Lifestyle Rx	4
NUTR405	Psychological Aspects of Sport and Exercise	3
PH101	Introduction to Public Health	4
PH201	Introduction to Epidemiology	4
PH345	Health Systems & Policy	4
PHIL130	Ethics	4
PHYS110	Introductory Physics I	4
PHYS111	Introductory Physics II	4
PSYC231	Psychopathology and Mental Health	4
PSYC235	Developmental Psychology	4
PSYC236	Psychology of Adolescence	4
SOCI231	Sociology of Childhood	4
SOCI241	Health, Illness & Society	4
SOCI245	Global Health	4
SOCI266	Sociology of Sports	4
PH345	Health Systems & Policy	4

Minor Requirements

The Health and Exercise Science minor allows any interested student an opportunity to gain knowledge of the role that exercise plays in health and disease. Minors typically consist of 20 credits. No more than two transfer courses can be counted, and must be approved by the chair.

Student must complete all of the required courses and an additional elective from the list below.

Required Courses

BIOL246	Foundations of Exercise and Health	4
BIOL332	Exercise Physiology	4
EXSC100	Introduction to Exercise Science	2
EXSC110	Form and Function in Resistance Exercise	2
STAT118	Introductory Statistics	4

Health and Exercise Science Elective List

AST232	Race, Gender & Health	4
EXSC233	Strength and Conditioning	4
CHEM223	Principles of Biochemistry	4
SOCI241	Health, Illness & Society	4
PH345	Health Systems & Policy	4
SOCI266	Sociology of Sports	4
NUTR110	Sociocultural Implications of Nutrition	4
NUTR215	Sports Nutrition	4
NUTR311A	Nutrient Metabolism Part I	4
NUTR360	Lifestyle Rx	4
	Mind-Body Medicine
PHYS110	Introductory Physics I	4

Internships and Research

Facilities and Equipment:

The Exercise Physiology lab contains high level research grade equipment for students to gain experience and develop hands-on skills in assessing determinants of health.

Our students master skills in areas such as measurement and assessment of oxygen consumption (VO2), neuromuscular activation (EMG), thermogenic, metabolic, pulmonary and cardiovascular responses to exercise, and more. Our newly renovated Science Labs and Holmes Sports Center serve as a living lab for acquiring skills in Exercise Assessment and Prescription, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Strength & Conditioning, and Foundations of Exercise and Health.

Internship and Research Opportunities:

Simmons is located in the Longwood Medical area, home to world class medical, clinical and research facilities. Our students have completed a variety of research and internship experiences at regionally and world renowned organizations:

BostonChildren's Hospital
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Mass General Hospital
Beth Israel Deaconess
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Joslin Diabetes Center
Harvard Medicine Ginty Lab
Tufts Medical Center
Spaulding Rehab Hospital
Boston Medical Center
and more

Program Learning Objectives

Scientific Foundation: Develop a solid understanding of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and nutrition.
Practical Skills: Ability to implement health & fitness assessment, exercise program design, injury prevention, and leading physical activity.
Health Promotion: Develop a solid understanding of physical and mental factors influencing health, behavior change, and wellness.
Data & Technology: Ability to utilize industry technology for physiological testing, movement analysis, data acquisition, and analysis.
Diverse Populations: Ability to apply skills to children, adults, aging individuals, and those with disabilities or chronic conditions.
Research & Experience: Ability to design, oversee, and interpret results of independent research projects.

What Our Students Say

Some of the highlights were the in-class activities and getting to participate in a project in collaboration with the exercise science class. The class was very hands-on, and we worked with lots of case studies, which allowed me to apply my knowledge to real-world scenarios.

- Emily Crown ’26

Spotlight on Exercise Science Students and Alums

View All News

Cultivating Wellness With Real-World Learning

Emily Crown ’26 reflects on her decision to major in Health and Exercise Science, the mentorship she received along the way, and the ways in which Simmons provided the opportunities, environment, and support she needed to be successful.

A Pivotal Experience in Human Anatomy for DPT Student

Emma Radlinski ’24 ’26DPT is pursuing the accelerated program in health and exercise science and physical therapy (3+3), which combines a bachelor of science in health and exercise science with a doctor of physical therapy (DPT). Now in the DPT portion of her studies, Radlinski shares what brought her to PT in the first place, and the accelerated degree.

Arianna Joyce ’26, ’27MS standing in a pose on ice skates

Athlete Discovers Value of Nutrition

Accelerated student Arianna Joyce ’26, ’27MS is a competitive figure skater who is passionate about nutrition. We spoke with her about the encouraging community at Simmons and the value of an accelerated education.

Zuzanna Misztela standing by a banner at the NEACSM Conference in 2025

PT Graduate Student Appreciates Accelerated Education

Zuzanna Misztela ’26, ’28DPT is a 3+3 student in the Department of Physical Therapy. We spoke with her about the value of an accelerated education and the supportive atmosphere at Simmons.

Ashley McGrath ’25 ’27DPT wearing a lab jacket on the Simmons quad

3+3 DPT Student on Timing and Transition

Ashley McGrath '25 '27DPT shares her experience in the Accelerated Program in Health and Exercise Science & Physical Therapy (3+3).

Nina Testa '23, '25DPT at Simmons' 2025 Commencement.

Physical Therapist Alumna Finds Her Dream Job

Nina Testa ’23, ’25DPT is an outpatient physical therapist at the Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network in Haverhill, MA. To honor National Physical Therapy Month (October) 2025, we spoke with her about the value of Simmons’ accelerated education, her recent research, and the University’s inclusive atmosphere.

Alexia Malone Oliver running onto the field during an NFL game

A 3+3 PT Alum on the NFL Field

A graduate of the Simmons Accelerated Program in Health and Exercise Science & Physical Therapy (3+3), Alexia Malone Oliver ’16 ’18DPT is Assistant Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist for the Denver Broncos. We spoke to her about what it means to treat players on and off the field.

Amanda Michel ’23, ’25DPT in action in the PT lab at Simmons

PT Student Embraces Disability-Centric Approach

Bringing a distinctive methodology to her profession, Amanda Michel ’23, ’25DPT has already made headlines, gracing the cover story of American Physical Therapy Association magazine (July 2024). We spoke with her about disability-informed research, her love of dance, and the supportive atmosphere of Simmons.

Health and Exercise Science

Are you ready to get moving?