As an exercise science major, you will learn how to improve or maintain health, fitness and performance as well as prevent injury and disease in diverse clientele.

At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    BS

Get Started

What courses will you take?

A professor watches as an exercise students reads the pulse of another student in a UMass Lowell lab
Students majoring in the Exercise Science Clinical Option can choose the new three-year pathway to accelerate their careers or graduate studies.

The B.S. in Exercise Science provides a high-quality education in the study of bodily movement that contributes to human fitness, performance and wellness. The major includes subjects such as exercise physiology, structural kinesiology, strength and conditioning and exercise prescription for healthy and unhealthy client populations.

At UMass Lowell, we offer three options, which lead to a wide range of career opportunities.

  • Clinical Option — Gain a solid foundation in the sciences, which prepares you for the capstone senior clinical practicum. Offered in a three- or four-year format, this choice prepares you to take certification examinations by the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Strength and Conditioning Association. This choice is nationally recognized to ensure students excel in advanced health care degree programs. Choose this option if you want to apply to allied health professions, including Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. 
    Courses for Clinical Option (3 year) and (4 year)
  • Exercise and Fitness Management Option — Gain knowledge in exercise science, nutrition, public health, and business to pursue careers in the fitness industry. You will graduate with work ready and transferable skills in careers that develop and implement exercise and wellness programming. You can choose to complete one of five business minors, which are applied toward UMass Lowell’s MBA program. Courses for Exercise and Fitness Management Option
  • Pre-Physician Assistant Option - Choose this option if you want to apply to physician assistant school. It includes the prerequisite courses necessary for successful physician assistant school application. We provide a dedicated pre-health advisor who will guide you through the application process. Courses for Pre-Physician Assistant Option

Visit the Academic Catalog for a complete course listing and to learn about the Exercise Science Minor.

Visit the Academic Catalog for all degree pathways, including those from prior enrollment years.

  • The Exercise Science program prepares all students to be able to:
    1. Promote and guide healthy lifestyles that include physical activity, exercise, and wellness programs in diverse populations by utilizing current theories and research literature.
    2. Design exercise and wellness programs which maximize compliance, motivation, and prevents injury and illness.
    3. Apply analytical and critical thinking to advance exercise and wellness initiatives for individuals and communities.
    4. Collaborate with individuals, families, communities, businesses, and other health care professionals in the delivery of care.
    5. Develop a self-directed plan for professional development and lifelong learning which includes self- assessment, self-correction and self-direction.
    6. Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior during all professional interactions.
    7. Communicate effectively in ways that are congruent with situational needs, including appropriate body language, written communication, active listening skills and questioning.
    8. Develop leadership skills of accountability, delegation, education, and supervision.
  • 100%
    Placement in experiential learning opportunities for the Clinical Option
  • 100%
    2-year employment rate

Why study exercise science at UMass Lowell?

A group of students completing a Exercise Science training in a parking lot located outside of a UMass Lowell academic building.

Experiential Learning

Gain hands-on learning through a placement with training, fitness, cardiac rehabilitation and research centers. You will:
  • Work in a professional practice
  • Get immersed in exercise science technologies and practices 
  • Make connections to further your professional career
A group of UMass Lowell exercise science students pose with their professors.

Exceptional Faculty

Our program features small classes and attentive faculty. You will learn from seasoned practitioners who hold advanced degrees and have years of professional practice in:

  • Kinesiology
  • Human Performance
  • Neurorehabilitation
  • Health, Fitness, and Performance Enhancement
A UMass Lowell student stands in front of a poster detailing the results of a study in smart clothing and health.

Flexible Options

Earn your degree full time or part time, graduating in as little as three years or four years depending upon your goals.

A student reaches for a target held by another student in a UMass Lowell exercise science lab

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Prepare to become a physical therapist by continuing into the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.

  • Accredited since 1981
  • Annually, tuition and fees average half the cost of private higher education peers
  • 100% of DPT graduates are fully employed within six months
Students who choose the Clinical Option and meet the qualifications as incoming first-year students are eligible.

What can you do with a degree in exercise science?

Graduates of UMass Lowell's exercise science program are equipped to launch exciting careers in health, wellness  and fitness as well as to pursue graduate studies in advanced allied health degrees such as Physician Assistant, Medical Doctor, Occupational Therapy, Public Health and Physical Therapy.

One student student lifts a weight as another student spots in a UMass Lowell exercise science facility

Our graduates have worked or completed advanced studies in such organizations as:

Exercise Science: Clinical Option

  • Strength and conditioning
  • Clinical settings caring for patients with cardiac, pulmonary and metabolic conditions
  • Corporate & private fitness settings
  • Research facilities
  • Biotechnology & medical device companies
Exercise Science: Exercise & Fitness Management Option
  • Biotechnology & medical device companies
  • Operations managers for clinics and facilities
  • Community centers
  • Public health centers
  • Public policy centers
Exercise Science: Pre-Physician Assistant Option
Our graduates have successfully applied to and been admitted to the following programs:
  • Bay Path University
  • Boston University
  • Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)
  • Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions (MGHIHP)
  • Northeastern University
  • Tufts University
  • Westfield State University

The UMass Lowell Edge

UMass Lowell student and tour guide Patrice Olivar sitting on a bench outside on South Campus
Patrice Olivar '18
Exercise Physiology & Psychology

While double-majoring in psychology and exercise physiology, Patrice Faith Olivar has gained both research and practical experience. UMass Lowell has opened more doors than she thought possible.

I’ve been very fortunate with my practicum sites and all UMass Lowell has to offer.
Read More About Patrice Olivar 
Lou Coiro poses in front of a Department of Physical Therapy banner.
Lou Coiro '82
Physical Therapy

During his long career, Coiro has opened two physical therapy clinics, treated thousands of patients and hired many UMass Lowell students.

UMass Lowell students are energetic and embrace all opportunities to learn.
Read More About Lou Coiro 
Vocality, a student a cappella group
Akshay Alamuri ’21, ’24
Exercise Science

Akshay Alamuri says UMass Lowell fit his family’s budget – and his own goal of becoming a physical therapist.

It was the perfect combo of cost meets strength of program: the perfect value, basically.
Read More About Akshay Alamuri 
Edgar Torres
Edgar Torres
Exercise Science, Physical Therapy and Kinesiology

Clinical Assoc. Prof. Edgar Torres was the first in his family to go to college. Now, he’s a mentor to first-year, first-generation college students.

The way to understand the material is to get involved in the class, ask questions and get to know your professor.
Read More About Edgar Torres 
Thomas Sherriff with another guy stand in front of UMass Lowell Health Assessment Laboratory sign on a wall
Thomas Sherriff ’19, ’23
Exercise Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy

Thomas Sherriff was the lead author on a paper about functional movements of firefighters.

UMass Lowell allowed me to interface and work with lead researchers in the fields of physical therapy, exercise science, dietetics, epidemiology and nutritional epigenetics.
Read More About Thomas Sherriff 
Tim DiFrancesco, founder of TD Athletes Edge, trains a client
Tim DiFrancesco '06
Physical Therapy

Tim DiFrancesco served as the head strength and conditioning coach for the LA Lakers, but he knew in his heart that he wanted to have an impact on more people’s lives. So he left to dedicate his career to his business, TD Athletes Edge, a fitness training facility.

Since my clinical rotations at UMass Lowell were filled with rich experiences that helped me point my compass in the right direction, I wanted to help students do the same in their young professional life.
Read More About Tim DiFrancesco 
Alumna-Terrie-Enis-UMass-Lowell-Physical-Therapy-Department
Terrie Enis '90, '07
Physical Therapy

Terrie Enis’ college experience is quite different from most. She was married with a two-year old daughter when she decided to go back to college full time to earn her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.

We hire many PT graduates from UMass Lowell because they are well prepared in the field and have a great work ethic.
Read More About Terrie Enis 
Vincent Ciaramella standing in front of a frozen waterfall
Vincent Ciaramella '21
Exercise Science

Even as a transfer student and a commuter, Vincent Ciaramella found friendship and a helpful community at UMass Lowell.

That community feel is where UMass Lowell really stands out.
Read More About Vincent Ciaramella 
Andrew Stanwicks and other team members from his lab
Andrew Stanwicks
Exercise Physiology

The summer after his freshman year, Andrew Stanwicks worked in a hospital rehabilitation research lab.

I had no idea of the massive impact that the Immersive Scholar program would have, not just on my future career, but on my entire life.
Read More About Andrew Stanwicks 
Michael Hines helps a man lift weights on a bench
Michael Hines '21
Exercise Science

Michael Hines, a former college athlete who wants to own his own athletic or physical therapy facility one day, is following the exercise and fitness management degree pathway.

I have a passion for business. I always had that entrepreneurial spirit.
Read More About Michael Hines 
Haley LaFreniere pictured in a Physical Therapy lab at UMass Lowell
Haley LaFreniere '18, '21
Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy

Motivated to help patients regain strength to live their best possible lives, Haley LaFreniere was inspired early on by her mom to pursue a health-related field.

Anything I have wanted from college, UML has provided to me, and I know that I would never have had this experience anywhere else.
Read More About Haley LaFreniere 
UMass Lowell Image
Sean Jordan '14
Physical Therapy

Sean Jordan is living his dream working for the New England Patriots as an assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist.

The experiences I had at UMass Lowell helped me gain confidence as a clinician and gave me the chance to network and grow as a professional.
Read More About Sean Jordan 

Contact Us

For program-specific questions, please contact:

Kyle Coffey PT, DPT, ACSM-EP
Exercise Science Program Director
978-934-6462
Kyle_Coffey@uml.edu