Exercise Science is a multi-disciplinary program that applies scientific knowledge from anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, psychology, motor control, and biomechanics to understand how the human body functions during physical activity, and how the body adapts to exercise training. The Exercise Science program prepares students to acquire skills in fitness evaluation, exercise program design, and instructing functional movement patterns. Students who want to enter the undergraduate Exercise Science degree must choose one of two concentrations, Sports Conditioning or Clinical and Pre-Professional Studies.
COURSE PERMITS please complete the Overload or Override HPEM/EXSC/PEMJ/PEGN XXX form.
CHANGE OF MAJOR or add a MINOR please follow these instructions:
Full Course Requirements
This concentration will be closed as of Spring 2025.
The objective of the Sports Conditioning concentration within the Exercise Science major is to train undergraduate students to work in the area of sports conditioning and fitness training. The Sports Conditioning concentration focuses on developing knowledge and skills that are required for various sub-disciplines within the fitness field.
Common Careers
- Strength and Conditioning Coaches
- Personal Trainers
- Fitness/Health Facility Managers
- Work-Site Wellness Coordinators
- Group Fitness Instructors
Common Graduate Studies
- Exercise Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Physiology
- Biomechanics
- Motor Learning
- Nutrition
This concentration will be closed as of Spring 2025.
The objective of the Clinical and Pre-Professionals Studies concentration within the Exercise Science major is to better prepare students for entry into clinical fields and/or graduate education. The Clinical & Pre-Professional Studies concentration focuses on developing knowledge and skills that are required for allied health professionals and professional degree graduate education.
- Work program of required courses
- Suggested 4-year course plan
- Prerequisite course sequence
- Pre-health Professions (Physical Therapy, Medicine, or Physician Assistant), refer to the following table to typical professional school requirements: Pre-Health Professions course recommendations
Common Careers
- Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialists
- Clinical Exercise Physiologists
- Personal Trainers
- Fitness/Health Facility Managers
- Group Fitness Instructors
Common Graduate Studies
- Allied Health Programs (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician’s Assistant, Nursing, Chiropractic, Medical School)
- Exercise Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomechanics
- Motor Learning
- Athletic Training
- Nutrition
Transfer students should contact the Department Administrator
Montclair State University’s Exercise Science Program is currently seeking programmatic accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) which is managed by the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES).
The goal of the Exercise Science Program is to prepare competent entry-level Exercise Science professionals in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
Program Retention Rates:
2023-24 Freshman to Sophomore: 88.8%; Overall: 81.8%