Exercise Science
With its intimate campus, welcoming environment, amazing facilities, and educational resources, Carlie Goddard '25 knew that she had found her place at Mount Mercy.
Discover our Bachelor of Exercise Science
Pursue what moves you.
As an exercise science major at Mount Mercy, you’ll gain both classroom knowledge and hands-on experience. Our exercise science degree offers several distinctive features:
- Mount Mercy’s state-of-the-art Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex provides an innovative space for you to practice what you study.
- You can choose electives that support your interests and desired career path.
- Experience is key. In your final year of study, you’ll complete an internship to increase practical understanding of course knowledge and help gain insight into your future exercise science career.
- Examine social, economic, and cultural inequalities in the exercise, physical activity, health, and sport contexts and engage in discussions about how to make these spaces more inclusive for all people.
Graduate with your exercise science degree prepared to succeed in your chosen path.
What is exercise science?
Exercise science is an interdisciplinary field that spans the physiological, psychological, nutritional, motor, and functional adaptations and responses to exercise, physical activity, and sport.
Explore each of those topics as an Exercise Science major at Mount Mercy and collaborate closely with professors who are experts in the field.
MMU's exercise science major blends classroom learning, hands-on work, and real-life experience.
Mount Mercy’s Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex provides an innovative space and for students to practice what they study.
Students have the flexibility to pursue multiple career paths.
What can you do with an exercise science degree?
Employment of exercise science professionals is projected to grow 13% from 2020 to 2030 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, well above the average for all occupations.
With Mount Mercy’s exercise science degree, you have the flexibility to pursue multiple exercise science careers.
Interested in a pre-professional path (athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and sports medicine)? You’ll take coursework in chemistry, physics, and other disciplines to meet the prerequisites for these programs.
Interested in an applied path (coaching, personal training, strength and conditioning, and health promotion)? You’ll take elective courses that support your interests and goals.
Our exercise science program prepares students interested in pursuing careers or graduate/professional degrees in:
- Athletic training
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Sports medicine
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Dietetics
- Personal training
- Health promotion
- Strength & conditioning
- Coaching
- Sport & performance psychology
Why an Exercise Science degree from Mount Mercy?
Mount Mercy’s exercise science major blends classroom learning, beyond-the-classroom work, and real-life experience to prepare you in understanding terminology, concepts, and theories necessary to succeed in an exercise science career. Learn to pinpoint, synthesize, and critique scientific literature and identify appropriate evidence-based practices in exercise science.
Having a curriculum specifically geared toward pre-professional and entry-level healthcare positions will better prepare our next generation of therapists, trainers, and exercise professionals.
What can you do in our Bachelor of Exercise Science program?
As an exercise science major, there are numerous ways to get involved:
- Participate in athletic events
- Conduct undergraduate research alongside faculty members
- Join a student club
- Access a guaranteed exercise science internship
Potential internship sites include:
- Mercy Medical Center
- UnityPoint Health—St. Luke's Hospital
- Kepros Physical Therapy & Performance
- The M.A.C.
- YMCA
- Mount Mercy University Athletic Training
Ian Ridgway '22
Exercise Science, Biology, Psychology
The connections Ian Ridgway ’22 made at Mount Mercy University within the exercise science program helped prepare him for success in his graduate program.
What will you learn in our Bachelor of Exercise Science program?
Take courses in everything from Exercise Physiology and Human Nutrition to Motor Learning and Control and Principles of Strength and Conditioning.
Pursue your Exercise Science degree and put your knowledge to work through a guaranteed internship during your final year.
What courses will I take?
Master of Athletic Training
Mount Mercy exercise science students can go on to earn their Master of Athletic Training in as little as two years, thanks to a partnership with Drake University
With four years to complete the exercise science program and the advantage of a fast-track application and acceptance into Drake University's Master of Athletic Training program, you can get a head start on your future.
Students now have the option of finishing their exercise science degree at Mount Mercy and then getting their master's at Drake for a 4 + 2 program, or completing all Drake prerequisites in 3 years for a 3 + 2 program.
Here's how it works:
- Submit your fast-tracked application by February 1 of your senior year. Applications and acceptances are completed on a rolling basis, and a new application cycle opens each year in July. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required.
- Complete the pre-requisite courses during the year of your application.
- Get your master's in just two years!
What are the next steps?
Mount Mercy offers competitive tuition and generous scholarships.
We also encourage all students to apply for federal, state, and other kinds of financial assistance.
Learn more about:
- Federal and state grants and loans
- MMU-offered scholarships
- Tuition reimbursement from employers
- 10% tuition discount for employees of partner organizations
- Veterans benefits
We make it easy by accepting applications year-round! No deadline, no fee, no pressure.
- Create your application
- Apply under standard admissions criteria or go "test optional"
- Request official transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Mail to:
* Mount Mercy University Admissions
1330 Elmhurst Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
For more detailed instructions on how to apply, see our Admissions page.