Exercise Science

Program Overview

If you like learning about the body and how it works, playing sports, participating in exercise, or helping others reach their goals, then Exercise Science is the major for you! This program is very hands-on and includes many opportunities to practice the skills needed to be in healthcare or physical wellness-related careers. You will learn how to train the body for overall health and longevity or to maximize performance in a sport. You will learn all the foundational science skills you will need if you would like to pursue a graduate program in healthcare. Bonus, our faculty are fun, innovative, and dedicated to all their students!

Graduates of the program are prepared to enter a variety of fields related to exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, and personal training. In addition, graduates are prepared for advanced study in the fields of physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, exercise physiology, chiropractic, nursing, and physician assistants. Many go into graduate programs to become highly specialized. Apply today!

One exercise science student lifts a deadweight bar while another watches.

Why earn your Exercise Science degree at BHSU?

  • Prepare to play an integral role in the future health of our society
  • Study in the state-of-the-art Young Sports and Fitness Center at BHSU
  • Become involved in a variety of professional organizations that support the profession
  • Black Hills State University offers a Strength and Conditioning option within the Exercise Science degree.
    • Students will gain knowledge and skills in the areas of training methodologies, program design, and administration.
    • Upon completion of this degree option, students will be prepared to sit for the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning exam. 

Accreditation and Graduation Information

Black Hills State University is currently in the process of becoming accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE), a recognized authority in quality strength and conditioning education. 

  • Strength & Conditioning Program has 28 students enrolled as of 2024.
  • The program’s retention rate from 2023 to October was 74.6%
  • Graduation rate is 43%.
  • Graduation placement rates coming soon.
  • NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Exam pass rate data coming soon.
  • Program Director for Strength and Conditioning Specialization is Dr. Craig Triplett.

Careers

We have many opportunities for professional work in the field. Students interested in athletic training or physical therapy can work daily with staff to care for our athletes. There are also opportunities to teach a variety of fitness classes to the community. Black Hills State University has the largest fitness center in the region and offers students practical experience working with adults and students in exercise programming. 

An Exercise Science degree for Black Hills State University provides students with the opportunity to explore many different careers in the exercise, health, and fitness industries. The Exercise Science major has two specializations that students can choose from. Below is a list of the specializations and the careers the students can get with each specialization.

Science Specialization

  • Health Coach
  • Exercise Physiologist
  • Worksite Wellness Coordinator
  • Recreation Director
  • Diabetes Educator
  • Massage Therapist
  • Physical Therapist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Athletic Trainer
  • Chiropractor
  • Physician/Physical Assistant
  • Nursing

Strength & Conditioning Specialization

  • Strength & Conditioning Coach
  • Group Fitness Instructor
  • Personal Trainer
  • Gym Director/Owner

Other Job Opportunites

Your employment opportunities depend on what you do while you are here.  All of our students who have a 3.5 or better get into graduate school and we offer 100% placement for those students who achieve national certification in the area of Personal Training. To learn more about the national certifications in this area of study visit The American College of Sports Medicine

Graduate School

If you are interested in graduate school, we will spend considerable time working with you.  Our graduates who have attended graduate schools across the country are always willing to talk to our current students and offer advice, and we explore the many options that are available for our students.

Applications

Internships

The Internship Program within the School of Behavioral Sciences at Black Hills State University presents opportunities for students to obtain academic credit through professional learning experiences (paid or unpaid) in a position related to their major. Internship is an experimentally based course which allows advanced students to “learn by doing” under the direct supervision of a field supervisor, and under the distant supervision of an internship coordinator from the discipline’s department. Your advisor will spend considerable time with you to find the right internship experience and we have many options across the United States. Former students have interned in various locations such as Cardiac rehab, Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center, local gyms, weight loss camps, and physical therapy clinics. Many of our former students now serve as internship preceptors.

Exercise Science Internship Manual

Two BHSU students practice blood pressure readings in a classroom lab setting.

Appendix A: Application Materials - See Deadlines Below

Material File/Form
Disposition Form Appendix A4
Sample Cover Letter & Resume Appendix A5
Employer Agreement Appendix B
Student Agreement Appendix C
Weekly Log Form Appendix D
Intern Evaluation by Agency or Site Supervisor Appendix E
Student Evaluation of Internship Appendix F
Internship Report Procedures and Outline Appendix G

Deadlines for Outdoor Education and Exercise Science:
-Due February 28 for Summer Internships
-Due March 30 for Fall Internships
-Due October 30 for Spring Internships

 Exercise Science and Health Research Lab

The Exercise Science faculty at BHSU are all actively involved in research. We encourage students to join the faculty as research assistants during their time at BHSU. If you want to help with future research, please contact the Exercise Science faculty. Recent research publications from the Exercise Science faculty include:

  • Efficacy of Automated Text Messaging Services on Sleep Health, Stress, Pain, and Function in Physical Therapy Patients
  • Examining the Prevalence of Sleep Disturbances in Patients Seeking Physical Therapy Services
  • The Effects of Strengthening the Lumbar Multifidus and Transverse Abdominis in Healthy Individuals Using an Augmented Feedback System: A Randomized Control Trial
  • Functional Movement Screen Detected Asymmetry & Normative Values Among College-Aged Students
  • Your Pain is in Your Head and that is Okay
  • The Impact of Past Athletic Experience on Functional Movement (FMS) Screen Scores in University Students.

BHSU Exercise Science faculty also offer paid research assistant positions for students at times throughout the year. If you are interested, please contact your BHSU Exercise Science faculty.

The Exercise Science teaching and research has a state-of-the-art laboratory with industry-standard teaching and research equipment. As an Exercise Student, you will have numerous hands-on laboratory courses where you will gain the practical skills needed to succeed in the workforce or graduate school.

The BHSU Exercise Science and Health Research Lab contains the following equipment used in exercise science and health research:

  • BodPod
  • Dartfish Motion Capture Technology
  • Monark Cycle Ergometer
  • Velotron Cycle Ergometer
  • COSMED 12-lead Electrocardiogram
  • Force plates

Skills Developed

Throughout your time at BHSU you will develop hands-on training in the Exercise Science lab and will be equipped to perform a variety of health assessments including blood pressure, heart rate, EKG readings, respiratory rate, BMI, and body fat percentage. You will also become proficient in performing fitness tests for speed, agility, maximum strength, muscle endurance, muscle power, aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, long duration endurance, flexibility, and range of motion. Learn how to coach people through proper form on exercises, how to progress and regress exercises for special populations, and how to analyze form in various sport activities. You will also learn the latest evidence-based strategies to prevent and care for athletic injuries. If you like hands-on learning, you will thrive in the Exercise Science program at BHSU!  

  • Blood Pressure
  • Manual Muscle Testing
  • Motion Analysis
  • Goniometry
  • Body Composition
  • Functional Movement Screen
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Fitness Assessment
  • Exercise programming for specific populations
  • Strength and conditioning program development
  • Biomechanics
  • Prevention and care of athletic injuries