Bachelor of Exercise Science Degree

Institutional Accreditation

View information on FGCU institutional accreditation

The BS in Exercise Science program at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 113^th Street N, #7709, Seminole, FL  33775; telephone: 727-210-2350; email: mail@caahep.org; website: http://www.caahep.org. If need to contact the program/institution directly, please call 239-590-7530 or email at rsillevis@fgcu.edu.

Email CAAHEP · Visit CAAHEP Website

CAAHEP accreditation offers significant advantages for students, graduates, and employers alike. For students, it ensures a high-quality educational experience that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies essential for success in their chosen health profession. Graduates of CAAHEP-accredited programs are highly sought after by employers, opening doors to enhanced job opportunities and career growth. Additionally, many professional certification bodies require graduation from a CAAHEP-accredited program for eligibility to sit for certification exams—an essential step toward licensure and professional practice.

Employers can trust that graduates from CAAHEP-accredited programs are well-prepared to meet the ever-evolving demands of the healthcare field. These graduates bring a strong foundation of knowledge and practical experience, enabling them to deliver high-quality care and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Dr. Barry S. Eckert, President of CAAHEP, emphasizes the importance of accreditation: “Choosing a CAAHEP-accredited program is crucial for students seeking a career in allied health. It ensures that they receive an education that is both comprehensive and relevant to current industry needs, ultimately benefiting their future employers and people receiving care.”

 A Commitment to Excellence in Allied Health Education

At Florida Gulf Coast University, we are dedicated to fostering excellence in allied health education and are preparing the next generation of skilled healthcare professionals. For more information about our accredited Exercise Science program, please visit https://www.fgcu.edu/mariebcollege/rehabilitationsciences/exercisescience/exercisescience-bs .

Program Recognition

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) officially recognizes Florida Gulf Coast University's Exercise Science Program in Strength and Conditioning. 

The NSCA Education Recognition Program (ERP) recognizes and distinguishes schools with standardized, approved strength and conditioning or personal training curricula in undergraduate and graduate settings designed to prepare students for the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®) and NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certifications.

The American College of Sports Medicine, Exercise is Medicine On Campus has recognized Florida Gulf Coast University as an Exercise is Medicine Gold Level Campus.

View Exercise Science Lower Level Degree Map

Please click the link above for the materials required by the Exercise Science Program. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisors to ensure that they are on track to meeting their academic goals. The checklist above should be utilized as a resource only and should not be considered comprehensive.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Exercise Science provides students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to analyze movement and maximize performance levels of high-level athletes, fitness-oriented persons, and special populations such as children and older adults.  Graduates of the Exercise Science program will also be prepared for graduate programs in the applied sciences, athletic training, physical therapy and occupational therapy.  The Exercise Science program is 120 credit hours in length. Upper division requirements are completed in five semesters with a cohort model entering in the fall semester.

For questions regarding entrance to the University, and lower level general education courses and prerequisites please make an appointment with the Marieb College Office of Academic Advising online

Visit the FGCU Academic Catalog to review specific Admissions information and Program Requirements.

Official Course Descriptions

Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.

Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:

1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
3. Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
4. Press Search

Getting started with the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:

1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
3. Press Search.

*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)

Getting started with the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:

1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**).  For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
3. Press Search.

*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition).  See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)

Academic Learning Compact

In alignment with its mission and guiding principles, the University is dedicated to academic excellence and the ongoing pursuit of quality improvement, grounded in a robust teaching and learning process. This process reflects a shared responsibility between students and instructors, fostering a progression from simple to complex, concrete to abstract, and dependent to independent learning.

The Academic Learning Compact (ALC) initiative reinforces this process by clearly defining core student learning outcomes in three key areas: content knowledge and discipline-specific skills, communication skills, and critical thinking abilities. It ensures that curricula are aligned with these expectations and that assessment results are used to inform and enhance continuous improvement.

Exercise Science Students are able to:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of exercise risk stratification, fundamental kinesiology principles, and exercise physiology principles underlying performance of physical activities and exercise.
2. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with physiological and metabolic responses to exercise, and injury prevention in healthy individuals and in individuals with chronic disease.
3. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of selecting and administering appropriate assessment and training modalities according to the functional capacity of the individual.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of the nutritional and pharmacological aspects of wellness and human performance.
5. Display an understanding of the key concepts of Medical Ethics, Standard of Care, Legal Issues, and Professionalism.

These learning outcomes are assessed through essays, exams, practical application, projects, and other assignments within the following courses:  

Student Learning Outcome 1: Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of exercise risk stratification, fundamental kinesiology principles, and exercise physiology principles underlying performance of physical activities and exercise.

• Direct Measures from APK 3125, APK 3141C, APK 3142C final course grades.
• Indirect Measures: from APK 4941and APK 4948 Site supervisor Responses to survey, and APK 4930 responses to Student Learning Outcome (SLO) student questionnaire.

Student Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with physiological and metabolic responses to exercise, and injury prevention in healthy individuals and in individuals with chronic disease.

• Direct Measures from APK 4137, APK 4137L, PET 3627, APK 4120 final course grades
• Indirect Measures from APK 4941and APK 4948 Site supervisor Responses to survey, and APK 4930 responses to SLO student questionnaire.

Student Learning Outcome 3: Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of selecting and administering appropriate assessment and training modalities according to the functional capacity of the individual.

• Direct Measures from APK 3125L, APK 4138, APK 4138L, PET 3627C final course grades
• Indirect Measures from APK 4941and APK 4948 Site supervisor Responses to survey, and APK 4930 responses to Student Learning Outcome student questionnaire.

Student Learning Outcome 4: Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of the nutritional and pharmacological aspects of wellness and human performance.

• Direct Measures from APK 3312, APK 4123 final course grades
• Indirect Measures from APK 4930 SLO student questionnaire

Student Learning Outcome 5: Display an understanding of the key concepts of Medical Ethics, Standard of Care, Legal Issues, and Professionalism.

• Direct Measures from APK 3125, PET 3627, APK 4930 final course grades
• Indirect Measures from APK 4930 SLO student questionnaire

Tuition and Fees

Information on Tuition, Fees and estimated total Cost of Attendance is available on the Student Account Services web site.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Visit FGCU's Financial Aid Web site for information about grants, additional scholarships, loans, and student employment.

Additional Expenses

In addition to typical FGCU student costs, the Exercise Science students can anticipate additional costs* related to the following items during their progression through the upper-level Exercise Science curriculum.
*Costs listed are estimates and are subject to change.

Scholarship Information

To apply for any of the below scholarships, obtain further information on the below scholarships, or to locate additional opportunities please visit FGCU Foundation/Scholarship.

Theodore Siegel Exercise Science Scholarship Endowed Fund  (Exercise Science Students Only):

• Recipients will be full-time, degree seeking students enrolled in the Exercise Science program.
• Recipients will have demonstrated academic merit with a minimum program GPA of 3.0.
• Recipients will be in good standing, as defined by the university.
• Preference will be given to seniors in the Exercise Science program.
• Preference will be given to FGCU student athletes.
• Preference will be given to students receiving limited to no scholarship support.
• This scholarship should be awarded to one student, however, more than one student may be awarded the Theodore Siegel Exercise Science Scholarship in an academic year at the recommendation of the scholarship selection committee.
• Scholarship are to be awarded annually and student who continue to qualify may be awarded in successive years.