About OU's Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science
In pursuing Ottawa University’s Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science (BAES) degree, you will prepare to take an active role in helping people get fit and stay healthy as a health educator, personal trainer, or exercise physiologist. OU’s BAES program prepares students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to become effective professionals. Through practical and experiential learning opportunities, students are encouraged to engage in creative thinking and problem solving to help them become lifelong learners and reflective practitioners.
Ottawa’s BAES degree provides theoretical education that challenges students to apply this knowledge in real world, professional settings with diverse groups of people. Students majoring in exercise science are prepared for further study in professions such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, sports nutrition, massage therapy, personal training, strength and conditioning, coaching, biomechanics, exercise physiology and recreation administration.
The BAES curriculum covers topics ranging from human anatomy and physiology to sports nutrition, providing you with a broad base of knowledge applicable to many different careers. You will develop strong creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Three BAES Concentrations
Ottawa’s bachelor’s degree in exercise science offers three concentrations that allow you to tailor your degree in an area of specialization, such as:
By completing the coaching concentration, students will earn coaching certification through the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) offered by Human Kinetics Inc.
Career Outlook for B.A. in Exercise Science
Potential employment opportunity for exercise science majors include athletic trainer, exercise physiologist, sports nutritionist, occupational therapist, strength and conditioning coach among others, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs in this arena are projected to grow between 11 and 16 percent through 2029.
The median annual wage for exercise physiologists was $49,170 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,990, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $78,310. The median annual wage for athletic trainers was $48,440 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $73,470.
Perspective on the BAES
Exercise science studies the body under physical stress such as exercise, physical sports, or occupational therapy. This helps practitioners, coaches, and trainers to ensure the safety and health of their patients and clients. The fields that exercise science involves are studies in kinesiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, exercise nutrition, fitness, and health science. Careers in exercise science are diverse and plentiful. Education in exercise science can lead to entry-level careers, such as fitness instructors and program directors, or act as the starting point for further education and careers such as doctors and occupational therapists.
For curriculum and course descriptions, please visit the online course catalog.
To get started on your journey toward an exercise science degree at Ottawa University, contact us today.