College of Health Professions, Nursing and Pharmacy

Exercise Science

excercise-science

Program Opportunities

  • Major in Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences (includes Pre-occupational Therapy, Pre-physical Therapy and Pre-athletic Training)
  • Major in Human Performance
  • Major in Human Performance Education (aka Physical Education)
  • Major in Nutrition Sciences
  • Minor in Nutrition Sciences
  • Minor in Coaching
  • Minor in Orthopedic Studies
  • Minor in Medical Health Education and Sales

Program Overview

Manchester University's Department of Exercise prepares students for careers as physical therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, nutritionists, strength and conditioning specialists, coaches, fitness and exercise leaders, youth sport and recreation leaders and teachers. Our graduates are service oriented and strive to continue professional development throughout their lives.

The clinical and rehabilitation sciences major prepares students for graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training and more. Future athletic trainers may choose an accelerated track in which they can earn a bachelor’s degree in clinical and rehabilitation sciences and a Master of Athletic Training from MU in as little as five years.

The human performance major focuses on personal training, strength and conditioning, and fitness instruction. With a nutrition sciences major, you can choose a track that prepares you for a career immediately after college or one that is designed to prepare future Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) for graduate level studies. Students can also major in human performance education, often known as physical education, or they can minor in coaching, orthopedic studies or medical health education and sales.

Each program emphasizes the importance of fitness as it relates to the whole person – mind, body and spirit.


Student Success

  • Lalita Ford '20 has accepted admission into Duke University’s Physician Assistant Program. 
  • Adam Gibson ’18 is a Certified Athletic Trainer and working at Whitko High School through Parkview Sports Medicine
  • Emily Giorgi ‘18 Assistant Athletic Trainer at Purdue University Fort Wayne
  • Tyler Hudson ‘18 Head Athletic Trainer at Logansport Memorial Hospital, Caston Jr. Sr. High School and Pioneer Jr. Sr. High School 

  • Jennifer Lichtman ‘18 Head Athletic Trainer at Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists and Western High School 

  • Heather Dorn ’17 accepted a position teaching physical education at Harrison Elementary School.

  • Holly Rawles Schultz ’17 Family and Consumer Science Teacher, Central Noble High School, Albion

  • Darshan Shah ‘16 Injury Prevention Specialist “IPS” at CIP Solutions, Inc. 

  • Dru Scott '07 (Athletic Training) is an ATC with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Single A team in Bradenton, Fla.

NSCA-ERP-Logo_Blue“The National Strength and Conditioning Association officially recognizes Manchester University’s Strength and Conditioning Program for successfully meeting established criteria"