Bloomsburg students lifting in a weightroom

Exercise Science

  1. Academics
  2. All Programs
  3. Exercise Science

Whether you dream of becoming a personal trainer, physical therapist, or wellness coach, we'll equip you with cutting-edge knowledge of human movement, anatomy, and physiology. Dive into hands-on learning that prepares you to improve lives, promote longevity, and inspire others to achieve their best. Exercise science is the first step toward a dynamic career that combines science, health, and real-world impact.

Degrees & Offerings
  • B.S.
Location
  • Bloomsburg
  • Lock Haven
Department
College
Program Contact
Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences / Professor of Exercise Science
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Major Showcase Days

Want to take a closer look at this major? Join us for an upcoming Major Showcase Day to connect with faculty and students, explore the program, and experience campus. See this program in action at Lock Haven on Monday, October 26! 

Unlock the Science of Human Performance

Program Overview

MS Applied Exercise Physiology students and faculty standing in a weight room
  • Our exercise science bachelor's degree program prepares you for a wide range of careers in the dynamic field of wellness and fitness. This challenging and demanding program leads you to a future in corporate wellness, cardiac rehabilitation, health care, sports medicine, and research environments.
  • Emphasis is on the interpreted aspects of wellness and fitness, gerontology, nutrition, stress management, alternative medicine and therapies and cardiac rehabilitation in a rapidly evolving professional field. Major national corporations and graduate programs actively recruit Commonwealth University students from this program.
  • Upon completion of the program, you'll be eligible to take health and fitness certification examinations including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), as well as applying to graduate degree programs, such as the M.S. Applied Exercise Physiology, M.S. Athletic Training or M.S. Sport and Performance Psychology Program.
  • Commonwealth University provides exceptional, state-of-the-art facilities for the exercise science program. There are athletic training facilities, an exercise physiology lab, rehabilitation center, and gross human anatomy (cadaver dissection) lab.
  • The Exercise Science program is accredited from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP), the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES), and is a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Education Recognition Program.

Courses and Curriculum

Our curriculum includes prerequisites for further education in many allied health fields such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Chiropractic Medicine, Medicine, Strength & Conditioning, Physician’s Assistant, Accelerated Nursing, and Cardiovascular Technology, as well as further graduate study in all Exercise Science based programs. Our program is an interdisciplinary program based on the medical sciences. Required courses outside the department include those from biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

Degree Requirements

  Degree Progress: Enrolled students can review program requirements and track progress toward degree completion using the university’s degree audit and advising tool, Degree Works.

Athletic Trainers are multi-skilled health care professionals who provide service or treatment under the direction of a physician to a variety of patient types in a variety of practice settings. The Pre-Athletic Training Concentration provides you with the education you need to enter graduate athletic training programs. Both 4+2 and 3+2 options are available. Commonwealth University offers a graduate athletic training program at the Lock Haven Campus.

Degree Requirements

  Degree Progress: Enrolled students can review program requirements and track progress toward degree completion using the university’s degree audit and advising tool, Degree Works.

Athletic Trainers are multi-skilled health care professionals who provide service or treatment under the direction of a physician to a variety of patient types in a variety of practice settings. The Pre-Athletic Training Concentration provides you with the education you need to enter graduate athletic training programs. Both 4+2 and 3+2 options are available. Commonwealth University offers a graduate athletic training program at the Lock Haven Campus.

Degree Requirements

  Degree Progress: Enrolled students can review program requirements and track progress toward degree completion using the university’s degree audit and advising tool, Degree Works.

Degree Requirements

  Degree Progress: Enrolled students can review program requirements and track progress toward degree completion using the university’s degree audit and advising tool, Degree Works.

Occupational therapy is a health care profession that promotes health and well-being through occupation. The Pre-Occupational Therapy concentration provides you with the courses you need to apply to graduate occupational therapy programs.

Degree Requirements

  Degree Progress: Enrolled students can review program requirements and track progress toward degree completion using the university’s degree audit and advising tool, Degree Works.

Are you interested in a challenging and rewarding career choice that will make a positive impact on the health of Americans? Physical therapists diagnose and treat individuals of all ages by conducting evaluations, and developing treatment plans that promote mobility, decrease pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Both 3+3 (in partnership with Widener University) and 4+3 options are available.

Degree Requirements

  Degree Progress: Enrolled students can review program requirements and track progress toward degree completion using the university’s degree audit and advising tool, Degree Works.

View the Exercise Science General Education Requirements

Exercise science students have completed internships at a variety of hospitals, clinics, universities, and corporate and private fitness centers.

Hospitals and Clinics

  • Bloomsburg Hospital
  • Bryn Mawr Hospital
  • Central Pa Rehabilitation Services
  • Clearfield Hospital
  • Coordinated Health Systems
  • Crozier Chester Medical Center
  • Doylestown Hospital
  • Evangelical Community Hospital
  • First Choice Rehabilitation Specialist
  • Geisinger Medical Center
  • Hershey Medical Center
  • John Hopkins Medical Center
  • Thomas Jefferson Hospital

Fitness Centers

  • Johnson and Johnson
  • Suncom Industries
  • National Strength Professional Association
  • Merck and Company Inc.
  • Lightning Fast Training System
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
  • Philbin's Athletic Training Center
  • Test Health Club
  • New York Life Fitness Center
  • Upper Merion Fitness Center
  • Joyner Sportsmedicine Institute
  • Bloom Health and Fitness
  • Bloomsburg Sportsplex
  • Baltimore Ravens
  • Armstrong World Industries
  • Air Products and Fitness Center
  • Functional Athletic Strength and Speed Training

College and University

  • University of North Carolina
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • West Virginia University
  • Wake Forest University
  • Florida State University
  • Drexel University
  • Rutgers University
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Arizona State University
  • University of Scranton
  • Lehigh University
  • Lasalle University
  • Kutztown University
  • Lycoming College
  • Kings College

Upon successful completion of the Exercise Science (BS) and all concentrations, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of foundational biological principles and human anatomy and physiology as they relate to responses and adaptations to physical activity and exercise.
  2. Implement and Evaluate health, wellness, fitness, or nutritional programs in sport, clinical, industrial or corporate environments.
  3. Implement exercise prescriptions for apparently healthy, increased-risk, athletic and special populations.
  4. Interpret evidence-based research to answer clinical questions and guide practice in exercise science.
  5. Demonstrate professional skills and competencies appropriate for entry-level practice or graduate study in exercise science or allied health related area.

In 2025-2026, the B.S. Exercise Science program reported the following outcome data:

  • Fall – Spring retention rate: 92.3%
  • National certification exam pass rate: 100.0%
  • Culminating experience (internship) pass rate: 100.0%
  • Graduate placement rate: 100.0%
    • 60.0% secured full-time employment in a related field
    • 40.0% were enrolled in a graduate education program
  • Assistant Professor, The University of Scranton 
  • Assistant Athletic Trainer, Elizabethtown College, PA 
  • Assistant Athletic Trainer, Lehigh University 
  • Athletic Trainer, Towson University 
  • Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Geisinger Medical Center 
  • Clinical Exercise Physiologist, The Cleveland Clinic 
  • Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Williamsport Hospital 
  • Clinical Exercise Specialist, York Hospital, PA 
  • Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Lancaster General Hospital 
  • Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Philadelphia Medical Center 
  • Director of Research and Education, The Cincinnati Sports Medicine Center 
  • Exercise Physiologist, The Heart Institute, John Hopkins University 
  • Exercise Physiologist, U.S. Naval Commission, Pensacola, Florida 
  • Head Athletic Trainer, The University of Scranton 
  • Head Athletic Trainer, Warrior Run High School
  • Physical Therapist, Geisinger Medical Center 
  • Senior Exercise Specialist, The Air Products Corporation 
  • Sports Physiologist, The U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. 
  • Teacher, Physical Education and Wellness, The Agnes Irwin School 
  • Kathleen Moneghan '10/'15M, Associate Medical Director of Remote Telemedicine at ConvenientMD 
  • Michael Morton – Senior Improvement Optimization Consultant, Geisinger
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Why Commonwealth?

Accreditation

The Commission on Accreditation of the Allied Health Education Programs is the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences professions.

Awards and Recognitions

NSCA Recognition

ERP distinguishes schools with standardized, approved strength, and conditioning or personal training curricula in undergraduate and graduate settings designed to prepare students for the NSCA-CPT® and CSCS® certifications.

Licensure and Certification

This program provides the theoretical background and practical experience needed for students pursuing national certifications offered by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

ONWARD AND UPWARD

CAAHEP Logo
CAAHEP Accreditation
The Commission on Accreditation of the Allied Health Education Programs is the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences professions.
NSCA Education Recognition Program Logo
NSCA Recognition
ERP distinguishes schools with standardized, approved strength, and conditioning or personal training curricula in undergraduate and graduate settings designed to prepare students for the NSCA-CPT® and CSCS® certifications.
College of Distinction badge
College of Distinction
Bloomsburg has earned national recognition as a College of Distinction, honored for its quality and high-impact practices.

Careers

The versatility of exercise science enables you to direct your abilities and commitment to Cardiac Rehabilitation, Corporate Fitness and Wellness, Personal Training, Strength and Conditioning, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Health and Fitness Promotion, and many other careers dedicated to Health and Wellness. However, you cannot work as a physical education teacher, nutritionist, or dietician after completing this program. nutritionist or dietician after completing this program. You can meet the pre-requisite classes to go onto further study in these areas, but you will not be qualified to work in these fields with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree.

Potential Job Opportunities

  • Personal Trainer
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Cardiac or Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Physical Therapist
  • Clinical Researcher
  • Clinical Exercise Physiologist
  • Health and Fitness Instructor
  • Exercise Specialist
  • Athletic Trainer

Continue to Explore

Playing a part in that success — Nolan Michaels ’23, an exercise science graduate from Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg who recently earned his master’s degree in kinesiology at Ohio State while serving as an intern with Ohio State Football Strength and Conditioning.

Exercise science grad reaps invaluable lessons from Buckeyes’ championship run

Experiencing Ohio State’s strength and conditioning program provided Nolan Michaels ’23 with valuable insight into his future career. He credits his time at the Bloomsburg campus—where he spent four years as goalkeeper for the Huskies men’s soccer team—with laying the foundation for his professional path. Read more about how hands-on learning and athletic experience shaped Michaels’ journey beyond Bloomsburg.

Read More

Exercise Science Faculty

CommonwealthU University Employee

Andrea Fradkin

  • Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences / Professor of Exercise Science
  • Bloomsburg
CommonwealthU University Employee

Wendy Hoyt

  • Clerical Assistant to the Exercise Science faculty
  • Bloomsburg
Joseph

Joseph Andreacci

  • Exercise Science Graduate Program Coordinator, Professor of Exercise Science
  • Bloomsburg
Dauber

Kelly Dauber

  • Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
  • Bloomsburg
Ashley Lesniak

Ashley Lesniak

  • Associate Professor / CU-IRB Chair / Faculty Athletic Representative
  • Lock Haven

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