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Health and Exercise Science
The Health and Exercise Science Program prepares students to pursue rewarding careers within the healthcare, fitness and wellness fields.
Are you ready to get moving?
Students will receive a solid foundation in the sciences of exercise and health through hands-on experiences and coursework in the health/fitness industry. Our students are prepared for entry into graduate programs towards careers in fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, clinical exercise physiology, kinesiology, medicine, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, optometry, sports performance, wellness, and more.
Throughout their time within the program, our students have the opportunity to conduct clinical research, work in rehabilitation settings, develop & lead group exercise and physical activity programs, and more. These opportunities provide skills mastered through service learning engagement with community organizations, and in our world-class neighboring health centers.
Learn more about the Health and Exercise Science Program
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:
First Year
BIOL113 | General Biology | 4 |
CHEM111 | Principles of General Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM112 | Principles of Organic Chemistry | 4 |
BIOL 113, CHEM 111, CHEM 113, and CHEM 112 include labs
BIOL 113, and STAT 118 or STAT 227 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 |
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
**Students in the 3+3 Health and Exercise Science/DPT program require 2 semesters of physics prior to entering the grad program:
PHYS 110 Introductory Physics I
PHYS 111 Introductory Physics II
PHYS 110 & PHYS 111 include labs
In addition, students on the 3+3DPT track do NOT complete BIOL362 or BIOL370.
Courses in DPT curriculum that satisfy Health and Exercise Science degree requirements:
DPT612 | Professional Seminar | 1 |
DPT672 | Frameworks of Physical Therapy: Musculoskeletal I | 7 |
DPT613 | Professional Seminar | 1 |
DPT673 | Frameworks of Physical Therapy: Musculos keletal II | 7 |
DPT621 | Human Anatomy | 7 |
DPT622 | Movement Science I | 3 |
DPT652 | Evidence Based Practice I | 2 |
DPT 613 and DPT 673: Serves as a replacement for BIOL 370 (Spring)
DPT 621 and DPT 622: Serves as a replacement for BIOL 362
DPT 652: Serves as a replacement for 2nd EXSC elective (1st met by PHYS 110)
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 |
NUTR311 | Nutrient Metabolism | 4 |
NUTR360 | Lifestyle Rx | 4 |
NUTR405 | Psychological Aspects of Sport and Exercise | 3 |
PH101 | Introduction to Public Health | 4 |
PH201 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 4 |
PH261 | Plagues, Epidemics, and Society | 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 |
SOCI345 | Health Systems & Policy | 4 |
NUTR 311: CHEM 223 prereq.
SOCI 345: SOCI 101 prereq.
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.
Additional Exercise Science Elective
AST232 | Race, Gender & Health | 4 |
EXSC233 | Strength and Conditioning | 4 |
CHEM223 | Principles of Biochemistry | 4 |
SOCI241 | Health, Illness & Society | 4 |
SOCI266 | Sociology of Sports | 4 |
SOCI345 | Health Systems & Policy | 4 |
NUTR110 | Sociocultural Implications of Nutrition | 4 |
NUTR215 | Sports Nutrition | 4 |
NUTR360 | Lifestyle Rx | 4 |
NUTR311 | Nutrient Metabolism | 4 |
PHYS110 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
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 |
Exercise Science Electives:
AST232 | Race, Gender & Health | 4 |
EXSC233 | Strength and Conditioning | 4 |
CHEM223 | Principles of Biochemistry | 4 |
SOCI241 | Health, Illness & Society | 4 |
SOCI345 | Health Systems & Policy | 4 |
SOCI266 | Sociology of Sports | 4 |
NUTR110 | Sociocultural Implications of Nutrition | 4 |
NUTR215 | Sports Nutrition | 4 |
NUTR311 | Nutrient Metabolism | 4 |
NUTR360 | Lifestyle Rx | 4 |
Mind-Body Medicine | ||
PHYS110 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
NUTR 311: CHEM 223 prereq.
SOCI 345: SOCI 101 prereq.
You'll work with a faculty advisor to tailor your program to your interests and career goals. Simmons students have many opportunities to further customize with dual majors, accelerated programs, direct entry pathways and complementary minors.
Examples of the Accelerated Programs and Graduate Program Direct Entry Pathways through the Health and Exercise Program include:
- 3+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy Track
- 4+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy Track
- 4+3 Doctor of Occupational Therapy Track
- 4+1 Masters of Nutrition and Health Promotion
- 4+2 Masters of Athletic Training
- 4+3 Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
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
Direct Graduate Pathways Available to Students
Simmons University and A.T. Still University's College of Graduate Health Studies are now partners! Learn more about that and about other direct entry enrollment pathways available to Simmons students!
Our Faculty
Michael Welch
Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of the Health & Exercise Science Program
Ling Xin
Assistant Professor
Tim Hanway
Assistant Professor of Practice and Internship Coordinator for the Health & Exercise Science Program
Spotlight on Exercise Science Students and Alums
Simmons Exercise Science Alumnae Share Research at Conference
Health and Exercise Science alumnae Haleigh St.Hilaire ’24, ’26MPH and Caroline Aspinwall ’24 presented their respective research at the New England chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (NEACSM) conference in October 2024. We spoke with them about their...
Exercise Science Student Interns at Boston Children's Hospital
Caroline Aspinwall ’24, majoring in Health and Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology, shares details about her internship experience at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Finding Community at Simmons as a Transfer Commuter Student
While at Simmons, Exercise Science major and Health Care Management minor Kiani Jacobs ’23 received the 2023 Senior Scholar Award and interned at the Harvard Medical Ginty Lab on Neurological Research. She reflects on the value of time spent in the lab, planning events with student groups, and finding her place — as a transfer student and a commuter — at Simmons.
Developing a Personal Passion into a Capstone Research Project
Exercise Science student and Barbara Lee Fellow Haleigh St.Hilaire ’24 explores the intersection of Exercise Science and Public Health through her internship at the Massachusetts State House.
Undergraduate Recipients of 2023 Senior Scholar Award
Six seniors across the University have been selected as recipients of the 2023 Senior Scholar Award, in recognition of outstanding scholarship and contribution to a field of study.
Major Spotlight: Sydney Iannantuono ’23, Exercise Science
Simmons Academic Mentor, Sydney Iannantuono, tells us what she loves about being an exercise science major and why she thinks her program has the best faculty.
Tackling Time Management with the Simmons Academic Mentors
Saloni Kumar '23 caught up with the Simmons Academic Mentors to bust time management myths, find out their unique study styles, and uncover their expert studying tips.
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