Christian Exercise Science Colleges

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Exercise Science studies the marvel of the human body and its abilities to move, heal, and operate. Our bodies have an incredible intricacy in their design that allows us to grow stronger, recover when broken, and turn food into energy. Those who choose to major in exercise science dive into a field dedicated to understanding the mechanics of our muscle and bone that make up our ability to exercise and recover from injuries, illness, and even emotional distress.

At a Christian university, students are steeped in an environment dedicated not just to their knowledge and profession, but also to their faith and understanding of God’s handiwork in us, creation. As an exercise science degree explores the body and its many unique abilities, a Christian college will develop students’ expertise working with muscles, injury, and the science behind it while presenting the detail and intention with which the Lord created us. A Christian university serves not just to prepare students for a career with an exercise science degree, but for a lifetime of serving others for Kingdom impact.

Example careers for those who choose to major in exercise science:

• Physical Therapist: Physical Therapists help patients recover from injuries and illnesses through specialized movements to strengthen, improve mobility, and manage pain. They are healthcare professionals who often work with doctors to provide patients with comprehensive care. They work with people of all ages and professions, including athletes, to provide care and increase quality of life through physical wellness.
• Personal Trainer: Personal Trainers work with clients to help them achieve their personal health and fitness goals through workout plans, nutrition advice, and accountability and encouragement. They assess clients’ fitness and health levels and work with them to create a workout and dietary plan that is personalized to their situation and goals. They work in gyms, private studios, or online with clients of all fitness levels.
• Athletic Trainer: Athletic Trainers specialize in the prevention, diagnosing, and treatment of sports-related injuries. They commonly work at schools (high school and college level), professional sports teams, military settings, or clinics treating injuries and building personalized treatment plans for clients or athletes.
• Exercise Physiologist: Exercise Physiologists work with patients who have chronic conditions or fitness concerns in order to help them improve their health. Heart conditions, diabetes, or respiratory issues are common conditions that these professionals encounter in patients, and their scope of practice is treatment through fitness. They assess patients fitness levels, work with them to create exercise programs that are suited to their abilities and goals, monitor progress, and make adjustments as needed to ensure improvement.
• Corporate Wellness Coordinator: Corporate Wellness Coordinators are employed by companies to promote healthy workplace conditions and improve employee morale and wellness. They work with HR to come up with healthy initiatives, like stress management workshops, fitness challenges, weight loss competitions, and nutrition/health education programs. They assess health needs, track progress of programs/initiatives, and work with healthcare professionals when called for.
• Recreational Therapist: Recreational Therapists promote emotional, physical, or mental healing through activities like sports, outdoor recreation, arts, and music. They work with patients with emotional/mental challenges, disabilities, or illnesses, assess their needs, and develop personalized treatment plans involving recreational activity. Recreational Therapists track the progress of their patients and may adjust course as needed. They can often be found in rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, and community centers.

Placement rates seemed to be mixed for those who obtain an Exercise Science degree. Post graduation, the average annual salary for an exercise science degree is just under $59,000. It is believed that the career field is growing as more and more people place higher priority on their health and fitness. But, as with many career fields, there is still a good amount of competition for employment. That means that even with your degree, you need to know how to stand out, and there are definitely some things you can do during (or shortly after) your college career to give yourself the best chance of career placement.

Networking is commonly at the top of the list when we’re looking for ways to increase our chances of landing a job. Don’t be afraid to look for ways to connect with professionals already in the career field. Talk to your professors, build up your LinkedIn profile and follow business or professionals in the field you want to go into, and go to events nearby on the subject of exercise science or something related. Joining professional associations related to your desired career withing the field of exercise science is also a great way to meet and exchange contact information with those who are working in the career you’re looking for. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and ask questions—this indicates that you are not only interested, but willing to take the first steps for your desired career.

A great way to build your network and to gain marketable experience for future job prospects is internships. Talk to your professors, to the student success department, and look online or at gyms or local health and wellness businesses for opportunities. Prioritize getting an internship (or several) while you’re still in college. This is a great way to get you in touch with people currently in the industry, and can put you on a short list for a permanent position with a company upon your graduation. Plus, it’ll give you connections who can speak on your experience and work ethic, which will do you wonders during your job hunt.

Certifications are also a “must” in many careers stemming from an exercise science degree. If you have the time (and funds) to get your certifications before graduating, do that. Otherwise, make it the first thing on your list after graduation. Not every job related to exercise science will require a certification, but if you want to push further in your career or have more opportunities open to you, it likely will be needed later on. Likewise, some exercise science careers require more than a bachelor’s degree. If you know that what you want to do requires further education, prepare for that while in college, do the research needed to find the right grad program, and talk to your professors about how you can increase your chances of acceptance.

Any career with an exercise science degree requires dedication and a passion for health and fitness. Certifications have to be kept up and professionals need to stay updated on new discoveries or research within the field, so being committed to lifelong learning is part of the job. Most careers in the exercise science field involve working with clients, patients, or teams, so strong communication skills need to be honed for success. Progress, especially in the fitness or healing journey, takes time, which means that, as the professional, you need to be a source of patience and positivity, able to encourage and motivate when people encounter obstacles or frustration. All these characteristics will make for an impactful career in the fitness, athletics, or health industries, as well as Ministry.

Works Cited:

• “Exercise Science Salary: Hourly Rate December 2024 USA.” ZipRecruiter, 2025, www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Exercise-Science-Salary.

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Health should be a priority to us as Christians, as we care for the body that God gave us. Our bodies are not just a temple, but the vessels that we use in glorifying our father. Keeping ourselves healthy is not just Biblical, but necessary in order to function for the Kingdom, whatever your spiritual gifts or calling.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Hebrews 12:12-13
“Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.”

Someone with an exercise science degree can be an asset to a Christian community, Church, or ministry. They can serve a Church through health and fitness advising, recreation therapy, or creating and managing fitness/exercise groups to encourage and ensure healthy lifestyle changes and progress in members of the Church/community. Teaching about the how to care for our bodies as temples created by and for God is also a great area for those who choose to major in exercise science to impact both the Church and ministries.

With their knowledge about the body, how exercise affects it, and injury/illness recovery, they could also be valuable for medical ministries or mission trips to underserved communities all over the world. Someone with an exercise science degree can help teach proper care of the body and fitness and nutrition practices, as well as preventative and recovery strategies for those who don’t have easy access to physical therapy or personal training in that area. Those who choose to major in exercise science have unique opportunities to showcase the loving and healing nature of God in the Church and in ministry through their expertise and God-given talents.

Whether it’s in athletics, medicine, or ministry, the opportunities for someone who chooses to major in exercise science are not only present but offer the chance for profound impact. If you are passionate about health and healing, patient, encouraging, and dedicated to helping others, then perhaps the Lord is calling you to pursue an exercise science degree!