Turn your passions for health, wellness, fitness and performance into a thriving career as you pursue this highly hands-on program that combines rigorous coursework, clinical experiences and career development support to prepare you to lead in this expanding field.

Download the Exercise Science Major Handout (PDF)

The Classroom Experience

Experiential, lab-based learning

The Franklin College exercise science major is designed to prepare students for careers in both clinical and sports performance settings, covering anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, nutrition, exercise and more. Courses accentuate hands-on, lab-based learning, preferring a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, heart rate monitor and exercise equipment to a textbook. That approach is demonstrated as early as freshman year when students perform foundational health assessments like EKGs – electrocardiogram tests that assess a patient’s heart health – which become second nature well before graduation. In addition to coursework, every major pursues independent research on human subjects, a unique opportunity for undergraduate students. Past research topics have included:

Testing the acute physiological effects of high altitude training masks
Measuring physical changes after using blood flow moderation (KAATSU) training
Assessing the physical response to exercise using virtual reality gaming

The curriculum also infuses business, marketing and career preparation skills, giving students the professional competence and confidence they need to lead in the field.

Outside the Classroom

Integrated and immersive clinical experience

The Franklin College exercise science faculty emphasize evidence-based practice and introduce clinical experiences into the program as early as possible. Majors have the opportunity to work directly with patients off campus at the Indiana Masonic Home or on campus with INSPIRE, a program for people with intellectual disabilities. Students often continue their education abroad, taking advantage of the college’s ample travel opportunities. Past exercise science majors have studied the history of sports in Ireland and interned with the Special Olympics in Costa Rica. Students have also interned with:

The Indianapolis Colts strength and conditioning team
The University of Indianapolis strength and conditioning team
Hospitals, physicians and specialty technicians

3+2 Exercise Science to MSAT

Franklin College offers an accelerated Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) track in the form of a combined Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science and Master of Science in Athletic Training, with the potential to complete both degrees in five years. This cooperative program consists of common core and specific courses required for each particular program, in addition to specific pre-requisites for application to the MSAT program. Students may apply to the exercise science and MSAT programs simultaneously in the spring of their freshman or sophomore year for early admittance. Students admitted to the exercise science program may also apply to the MSAT program in the fall of their junior or senior year. Students accepted to the MSAT in their fourth year are considered graduate students and take primarily MSAT graduate courses, while also finishing required undergraduate courses. After completing three years of undergraduate courses and one year in the MSAT program, students graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise Science from Franklin College. After completing the second year in the MSAT program, students graduate with their Master’s in Athletic Training.

Exercise Science students pursuing the 3+2 option can apply for early admittance into the MSAT program at the same time they submit the application for the exercise science program. Students who meet the early admittance requirements are guaranteed a spot in the MSAT program. Even though the application process is happening simultaneously, acceptance to the Exercise Science program does not ensure acceptance to early admittance for the MSAT.

Career options for Certified Athletic Trainers

Past students who have obtained a master’s degree in athletic training have secured jobs working in:

Secondary schools, colleges and universities, and professional settings
Physician offices, clinical settings, and hospitals
Police and fire departments and military branches
Performing arts
Sports and youth facilities
Commercial settings (medical devices, protective equipment, pharmaceuticals, etc)

Post-Graduation

100% PA and PT graduate program placement

While graduate school isn’t required to have a successful career in the field, 100% of Franklin College exercise science majors who have chosen to pursue physical therapy and physician assistant graduate programs have been accepted since 2017. Past students have also pursued advanced degrees in occupational therapy, medicine, kinesiology and athletic training, and secured jobs working in: