Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Study how the body moves, adapts, and performs — and prepare for a career in health, therapy, and human performance.
Pre-Health Foundation
Strong prep for PT, OT, and sports medicine
Hands-On Labs
Anatomy, exercise testing, and biomechanics labs
Two Concentrations
Sport Management or Sport Psychology
How does the body respond to training? What happens to muscle, lungs, and heart under stress — and how do you help someone move, recover, and perform at their best? ACU’s Exercise Physiology and Human Performance degree answers those questions with a rigorous, lab-intensive science of the human body in motion.
The 45-credit core is deep and hands-on: two semesters of human anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, exercise testing and prescription, biomechanics, kinesiology, nutrition, chemistry, and physics. You’ll graduate with the kind of foundation that top graduate and professional programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, and sports medicine expect — plus a capstone that ties it all together.
You can focus your degree further with a concentration in Sport Management or Sport Psychology, or keep it broad with electives and a second minor. Throughout, a Biblical Worldview frames the body as a good gift worth understanding and caring for — and the work of helping people heal and perform as genuinely worthwhile.
Master Human Anatomy & Physiology
Work through two full semesters of anatomy and physiology with labs.
Understand Exercise Science
Study how the body responds and adapts to exercise at the system and cellular level.
Test and Prescribe Exercise
Learn to assess fitness and design safe, effective exercise programs.
Analyze Human Movement
Apply biomechanics and kinesiology to understand how the body moves.
Ground It in Hard Science
Build a foundation in chemistry, physics, nutrition, and medical terminology.
Integrate It All
Bring the science together in a senior capstone.
Exercise physiology studies the body in extraordinary detail — and a Biblical Worldview gives that body meaning, dignity, and purpose.
The Body as Good
Scripture treats the body as good and purposeful, part of how people are made. Studying its design with awe — rather than treating it as a machine — frames the whole discipline as exploring something wonderfully made.
Grounds your science in wonder and care, not just mechanics.
Caring for People in Pain
Much of this field serves people who are injured, aging, or struggling to move. Seeing each as an image-bearer worth helping reshapes the work of rehabilitation and performance into genuine service.
Forms a posture of compassion toward the people you'll help heal.
Stewardship of Health
Health and strength are gifts to steward, not idols to chase. That conviction keeps fitness and performance in their proper place — good, but not ultimate.
Helps you guide others toward health without making it an obsession.
Exercise physiology is a launchpad for health and performance careers — and one of the strongest pre-professional foundations for therapy and medicine.
Physical or Occupational Therapy
Prepare for graduate study in physical therapy (DPT), occupational therapy, or related health professions.
Athletic Training & Sports Medicine
Build toward roles and graduate study in athletic training and sports medicine.
Strength & Conditioning
Work as a strength coach or conditioning specialist with athletes and teams.
Clinical Exercise Physiology
Apply exercise testing and prescription in cardiac rehab, wellness, and clinical settings.
Health, Fitness & Wellness
Lead fitness, corporate wellness, and community health programs.
Pre-Med & Health Sciences
Use the anatomy and physiology foundation as preparation for medical and health-science programs.
ACU's Exercise Physiology degree pairs a rigorous, lab-driven science with strong pre-professional preparation and a small-university culture.
Pre-Professional Strength
A deep anatomy, physiology, and science core prepares you for PT, OT, athletic training, and medical programs.
Hands-On From the Start
Labs in anatomy, exercise testing, and biomechanics give you real experience, not just lectures.
Two Career-Focused Concentrations
Add Sport Management or Sport Psychology to aim the degree toward the business or mind of sport.
Whole-Person Science
Study the body framed by a Biblical Worldview that values people, health, and care.
Getting started in exercise physiology at ACU takes just a few steps. Here’s the path.
Apply to ACU
Submit your application for admission to Arizona Christian University.
Start Your ApplicationMeet With a Science Advisor
Map your degree plan, talk through your pre-professional goals, and decide on a concentration.
Start the Science Sequence Early
Begin biology, chemistry, and anatomy early — the upper-division exercise-science courses build on them.
Choose Your Focus
Add a concentration in Sport Management or Sport Psychology, or use electives toward a second minor.
The Exercise Physiology degree gives you a rigorous, hands-on science foundation for a career in health, therapy, and performance. Connect with our team or apply today.