Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science, offered by the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, focuses on the science and practice of health, fitness, and sports performance. This program prepares students for a range of professional certifications and physical fitness careers. The Exercise and Sport Science program focuses on providing training to work with individuals and small groups in two areas of emphasis:

  1. Exercise Physiology (the application of exercise principles involving populations that are either healthy or have pre-existing medical conditions), and
  2. Sports Performance (the application of sport science principles involving populations whose primary goals are competitive and related to sports performance).

Our students pursue a wide range of pathways, including workforce opportunities and advanced studies, following graduation from the Exercise and Sport Science program.

Workforce Opportunities: Our students work in a variety of university, corporate, commercial, community and clinical settings. Career opportunities include working in clinical exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, sport performance, and personal training.

Graduate Training in Exercise and Sport Science: Our students are prepared to attend graduate programs focused on exercise science, exercise physiology, kinesiology, and human performance.

Graduate Training in Other Professional Fields: Our students develop a strong foundation that prepares them for other graduate programs, including athletic training, recreational therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other allied health professions. If pursuing graduate studies is a future goal of yours, please see your academic advisor for further details early in your program of study.

To prepare students for these career pathways, our curriculum incorporates didactic training and hands-on learning experiences required to sit for several professional examinations. We thoughtfully integrate multiple hands-on learning experiences that include laboratory experiences, service-learning opportunities, and two internships that provide students with real-world experience implementing what was learned in the classroom throughout the Exercise and Sport Science program.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: HP-EXSS-BS

Contact Information

Sara J. Kovacs, PhD, Associate Professor and Program Director
Pearson Hall, Room 245
1800 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19121
215-204-8790
sara.kovacs@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Requirements

University Requirements

All new students are required to complete the university's General Education (GenEd) curriculum.

All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are KINS 3196 and KINS 4396.

College Requirement

All College of Public Health undergraduates must successfully complete the College Core Course, HRPR 1001 Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play.

Clearance Requirements

Students attending Temple University College of Public Health are required to submit to Temple University Student Health Services proof of immunizations and proof of immunity for MMR, Varicella and hepatitis B, proof of being fully vaccinated to COVID-19, TB screening, and a physical exam prior to matriculation. Annually, an influenza vaccine is required. Some affiliates may also require annual TB screening and urine drug screenings. Students who are in fully on-line programs with no in-person class or practicum experience can request a waiver for the above health requirements. Visit Student Health Services for more informaton on Prematriculation Requirements.

All students who attend programs that have a clinical / practicum / field education experience will be required to purchase access to the EXXAT - APPROVE compliance module. This module to order, store and maintain compliance documents is required for participation in a learning experience at an affiliate site.

Students who attend CPH programs that have a clinical / practicum / field education experience which are completed at affiliate sites both on and off the Temple University campus are required to comply with minimum standard compliance metrics which include the above health requirements in addition to a national criminal background check, Act 33/34 clearances in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and FBI fingerprinting through DHS or DoE. FBI fingerprinting is a national check, which can be performed through any of the 50 states.

The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student, thus resulting in their inability to meet graduation requirements. Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or felonious or illegal act may prevent the individual from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice depending on the field of study.  

In addition to the above, students who attend the Exercise and Sport Science program are required to show proof of health insurance annually, and some sites may require proof of current CPR certification for healthcare professionals.

Major Requirements

Exercise and Sport Science Core
KINS 1203Introduction to Exercise and Sport Science3
KINS 1223Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
KINS 1224Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
KINS 2001Social Determinants of Health and Physical Activity3
KINS 2203Physiology of Physical Activity4
SBS 2204Diet and Weight Management3
HRPR 2421First Aid and CPR for Health and Exercise3
KINS 2424Functional Anatomy for Kinesiology3
KINS 3196Psychology of Physical Activity3
KINS 3202Biomechanics of Physical Activity4
KINS 3203Exercise Assessment and Programming4
KINS 3316Principles of Personal Fitness4
KINS 3368Principles of Health Fitness Program Management3
KINS 4311Advanced Physiology of Exercise3
KINS 4364Business Management for Exercise Professionals3
KINS 4385Exercise and Sport Science Internship I3
KINS 4396Research and Writing in Exercise and Sport Science (WI)3
KINS 4485Exercise and Sport Science Internship II3
Kinesiology Physical Activity Program (KPAP) Courses4
Content Electives
Select from the following:12
Movement Injuries: Prevention and Care
Olympic and Powerlifting
Basic Electrocardiography
Directed Readings and Study in Kinesiology
Special Topics in Kinesiology
Applied Performance Nutrition
Principles of Strength and Conditioning
Clinical Cardiovascular Pulmonary Exercise Physiology
Clinical Exercise Physiology
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry Laboratory I
General Chemistry II
General Chemistry Laboratory II
General Biology I
General Biology II
Introduction to General Physics I
College Algebra
Precalculus
Calculus I
Total Credit Hours76

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
HRPR 1001 Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play 3
KINS 1203 Introduction to Exercise and Sport Science 3
KINS 1223 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
Kinesiology Physical Activity Program (KPAP) Course 2
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
KINS 1224 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
Kinesiology Physical Activity Program (KPAP) Course 2
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW]
or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
4
GenEd Quantitative Literacy (GQ) 4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours17
Year 2
Fall
KINS 2001 Social Determinants of Health and Physical Activity 3
KINS 2203 Physiology of Physical Activity 4
KINS 2424 Functional Anatomy for Kinesiology 3
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
HRPR 2421 First Aid and CPR for Health and Exercise 3
SBS 2204 Diet and Weight Management 3
KINS 3202 Biomechanics of Physical Activity 4
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall
KINS 3203 Exercise Assessment and Programming 4
KINS 3196 Psychology of Physical Activity [WI] 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
KINS 3316 Principles of Personal Fitness 4
KINS 3368 Principles of Health Fitness Program Management 3
ESS Content Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours13
Year 4
Fall
KINS 4311 Advanced Physiology of Exercise 3
KINS 4364 Business Management for Exercise Professionals 3
KINS 4385 Exercise and Sport Science Internship I 3
ESS Content Elective 3
ESS Content Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
KINS 4396 Research and Writing in Exercise and Sport Science [WI] 3
KINS 4485 Exercise and Sport Science Internship II 3
ESS Content Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours120