BS Exercise Science Education at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

Exercise science education involves the study of structural, functional and behavioral phenomena related to participation in physical activity and exercise in sport, clinical and community settings. In addition, it addresses the promotion of exercise and other health behaviors in community, work-site and health care settings, or in other programs that include health program implementation and evaluation initiatives. Offered at: Columbus.

Faculty: Education and Human Ecology | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbus, OH, United States

What you will study

In addition to regular classes, students take practicum courses that offer concentrated study in areas such as underwater weighing to determine body fat percentage; assessment of muscular strength and flexibility; and fitness evaluation, prescription and supervision. The practicum experiences are intended to develop a high level of theoretical knowledge and practical experiences for those areas. Students also complete a 300-hour internship during their senior year. Students who intend to pursue graduate study with a research emphasis are encouraged to complete a senior Honors thesis.

Career pathways

The exercise science program prepares individuals for work in hospitals, clinical fitness centers, rehabilitation programs or other programs that require exercise prescription, evaluation, body composition, general fitness testing, and physical activity, exercise or health program delivery.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to the university (and the Education and Human Ecology college where applicable) applies; no separate programme-specific requirement published. Participation in sports is not a prerequisite; however, participation in sports and other activities requiring varied levels of physical activity would help develop an appropriate perspective for applicants to this major. Upon admission to the university, students enroll as Exercise Science pre-majors. Once the admission criteria are met, students are automatically admitted into the full major.

Domestic applicants: USD 12,921 a year (2026-27). Columbus campus on-campus Instructional Fee (tuition) for students beginning Autumn 2026: $6,460.50 per semester at 12-18 credit hours, shown as two semesters (Autumn and Spring). The Ohio State Tuition Guarantee fixes this rate for four years for Ohio re Source

Entry terms for first-year applicants to the Columbus campus: Autumn 2027 and Spring 2027 (Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026). Summer first-year applications are not accepted.

Transfer applicants can start in Spring, Summer or Autumn 2027.

First-year, Columbus campus, Autumn 2027: early action (non-binding) deadline November 1, 2026; regular decision deadline January 15, 2027; financial aid priority date February 1; acceptance fee deadline May 1, 2027. Early action decisions: December 11 (Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants) and January 22 (non-Ohio residents and international applicants); regular decision decisions March 5.

First-year applicants apply with the Common Application. ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year Columbus applicants (superscored; sent directly by the testing agency); applicants out of high school two or more years are not required to submit scores. The essay is not required.

Transfer applicants (Columbus campus): Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027; Summer 2027 deadline May 15, 2027. Regional campuses: December 1, 2026, April 15, 2027 and July 15, 2027 respectively.

International transfer applicants: Spring 2027 deadline October 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply

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