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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.

Students in an exercise science class

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
BIOL 231, BIOL 232, and BIOL 246 all include labs.

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 

BIOL 370: 8 credits (4 credits in Fall and 4 credits in Spring)

**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 612 and DPT 672: Serves as a replacement for BIOL 370 (Fall)
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
BEH 405A Mind-Body Medicine at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is also an allowed elective.

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
Students in an exercise science class

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!

Learn More

Our Faculty

Michael Welch Profile Photo

Michael Welch

Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of the Health & Exercise Science Program

Photograph of Ling Xin

Ling Xin

Assistant Professor

Headshot Photo of Tim Hanway

Tim Hanway

Assistant Professor of Practice and Internship Coordinator for the Health & Exercise Science Program

Spotlight on Exercise Science Students and Alums

View All News
The Simmons softball team celebrating a victory

Exercise Science Alumna Interviewed in The Boston Globe

The Globe interviewed Francesca Corsinetti ’19 an occupational therapist, high school basketball coach, and founder of The Sports OT (a program that helps current and retired athletes navigate the complexities of mental health).

Side by side photos of Haleigh St.Hilaire ’24, ’26MPH and Caroline Aspinwall ’24 New England chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (NEACSM) conference in October 2024

Simmons Exercise Science Alumnae Share Research at Conference

Health and Exercise Science alumnae Haleigh St.Hilaire ’24, ’26MPH and Caroline Aspinwall ’24 recently presented their respective research at the New England chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (NEACSM) conference.

Caroline Aspinwall ’25 standing outside of Boston Children's Hospital

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.

Kiani Jacobs

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.

Haleigh St.Hilaire ’24

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.

Photos of the six award winners

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.

Sydney Iannantuono - Exercise Science major

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.

Jenny Huynh's color-coded planner

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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