Exercise Physiology - Pre-Health Professions
Program Info
An Exercise Physiology Degree for Champions of Health
Are you passionate about exercise as medicine? Troy University's B.S. in exercise physiology degree with a pre-health professions concentration prepares you to help others achieve better health, mobility, confidence and overall well-being. As a pre-health major at TROY, you'll explore how movement impacts the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems to prevent disease and support recovery. Blending courses in exercise science and human physiology, the program builds a strong academic foundation. Through TROY's pre-health track, you'll be equipped to pursue graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies or athletic training — as well as careers in clinical and fitness settings.
A Pre-Health Program Focused on Active Learning
As a pre-health major at TROY, you won't just absorb knowledge — you'll put it into action. Through courses like Sport and Exercise Nutrition and Biomechanics, you'll conduct hands-on lab work, study rehabilitative lifting techniques and apply exercise interventions. In courses like Pathophysiology, you'll dive into all the ways diseases affect the body, while labs in Organismal Biology and Anatomy will strengthen your foundations for pre-health professions. You'll even have the opportunity to complete your senior project in cardiac rehabilitation, gaining direct experience in real-world patient care settings. Additionally, you can expand your global perspective through our study abroad program at Coventry University in the United Kingdom, where you'll engage with international leaders in exercise science.
A Training Ground for Pre-Health Professions
Want to help patients recover from injuries and illnesses or guide professional athletes toward peak performance? TROY's exercise physiology degree with a pre-health professions concentration equips you with the specialized knowledge and skills you'll need. You'll graduate with a strong grasp of sciences like pathophysiology and microbiology, along with practical laboratory experience and a deep understanding of both conditioning and rehabilitative exercise. Whether you're pursuing a role in a clinical or fitness setting, planning for graduate study in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies or athletic training — or simply asking, “What can I do with a pre-health degree?” — TROY's pre-health track will prepare you for your next move.
Exercise Physiology Degree Curriculum
Exercise Physiology Degree Locations
You'll study on the Troy Campus, where pre-health majors get hands-on experience in state-of-the-art facilities. For more information about program availability and delivery options, call 1-800-414-5756.
Best Majors for Medical School? The Truth
Is TROY's exercise physiology degree with a pre-health professions concentration one of the best majors for medical school? Not quite. While this program isn't designed as a pre-med path, it is an excellent choice for students preparing to apply to graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies and athletic training. The concentration blends rigorous science coursework with hands-on clinical experience and research opportunities, ensuring you're fully prepared for the next step. You'll also be ready to pursue respected industry certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), boosting your expertise and strengthening your graduate school and job applications.
Careers with Your Exercise Physiology Degree
TROY's degree in exercise physiology with a pre-health concentration prepares you for a wide range of pre-health professions, from clinical roles such as physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician assistant and athletic trainer to fitness-focused positions like personal trainer or strength and conditioning coach.
Faculty Profiles
J. Grant Mouser, Ph.D.
Exercise Physiology Degree Wellness & Fitness Concentration
Beyond the pre-health concentration, TROY also offers the wellness and fitness concentration within the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology. This track emphasizes physical performance and lifestyle improvement, with courses in physiology, wellness psychology and exercise performance that prepare you for careers in strength and conditioning, coaching, commercial fitness and related fields.
Exercise Physiology Degree Scholarships
A Pre-Health Degree That Won't Break the Bank
You can offset the cost of your degree with TROY's wide range of scholarships, including the Barry Baker Endowed Scholarship and the Element Health Scholarship.
FAQ About the B.S. in Exercise Physiology Degree Program
A pre-health major, or a concentration like TROY's pre-health track in exercise physiology, is an undergraduate path specifically designed to prepare you with the foundational science knowledge, lab skills and practical experiences needed for admission into graduate programs for various health professions. TROY ensures you get focused coursework tailored for this journey.
Pre-health professions are careers like physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician assistant and athletic trainer, which require specialized graduate degrees. TROY's exercise physiology with a pre-health concentration prepares you for these paths by offering relevant courses and clinical experience before you graduate.
A pre-health degree like TROY's primarily sets you up for success in applying to and excelling in graduate health professional programs. Whether you're figuring out what to major in for occupational therapy, preparing for a path to your Ph.D. or asking yourself, “What are pre-health professions?”, TROY's strong exercise physiology core and internship experiences provide the academic foundation you need for success.
Many science majors can prepare students for medical school, but TROY's exercise physiology degree with a pre-health professions concentration is not designed as a pre-med path. Instead, it is an excellent choice for students planning to pursue graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies or athletic training. This pre-health track combines rigorous science coursework with hands-on experience in exercise science, ensuring you're fully prepared for your next step.
You should check the specific prerequisites for OT programs you're interested in, but common pre-health programs include those with a strong science and human function focus. TROY's exercise physiology pre-health track is a great fit, providing foundational anatomy, physiology and patient interaction experiences that are highly beneficial for aspiring OTs.
Absolutely. TROY's exercise physiology degree with its pre-health concentration is a strong pre-health track because it combines rigorous science coursework (including physics and microbiology labs), specialized knowledge in areas like rehabilitative exercise, hands-on internships and preparation for key certifications, making you a well-rounded and competitive applicant across a wide array of health professions.