Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences
Health, exercise, and sport sciences at 缅北禁地听integrates the fields of kinesiology, physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, psychology, health education, and sport management. Hands-on learning is emphasized through laboratory experiences, fieldwork, internships, and service-learning to prepare students for professional practice.
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"The intimate class settings and the extraordinary faculty really helped me narrow in on what I wanted to do."
Our Bachelor of Science in Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences
Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences (HESS) is the scientific study of human movement, performance, and function. It draws on principles from anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, neuroscience, and psychology to understand how the body moves and how physical activity affects health, fitness, sports performance, and well-being.听
Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Programs
This degree offers graduates a wide array of careers. Some careers require additional education and certifications. HESS students can graduate with three national certifications making them highly competitive for employment and graduate programs.
Healthcare & Clinical Professions听
Physical Therapist听
Occupational Therapist听
Chiropractor听
Physician Assistant听
Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Physical Therapy Assistant
Recreation Therapist
Fitness & Wellness
Certified Personal Trainer
Wellness Coach
Fitness and Wellness Director
Group Fitness Instructor
Sports Performance
Athletic Trainer听
Sports Scientist
Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Coaching
Education & Research
Health Educator
Health Informatics
Clinical Researcher
Health and Physical Education Teacher
Biomechanist
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Major in Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences with a concentration in Health and Wellness
Students majoring in exercise and sports science with a concentration in health and wellness are required to complete 65-74 credit hours, which include 38 hours of core courses and 27-36 hours of concentration courses.听
Major in Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences with a concentration in Health and Physical Education
Students majoring in health, exercise, and sport sciences with a concentration in health and physical education are required to complete 58-65 credit hours, which include 38 hours of core courses and 20-27 hours of concentration courses.听听
Additional coursework is required to obtain teacher licensure.
Minor in Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences
Students earning a must complete 18 credit hours, including nine hours of core curriculum and nine hours of health and exercise and sports science courses, as well as an additional two hours of physical education/dance activity courses beyond the general education requirements.听
K-12 Health and Physical Education Teacher Licensure
- The K-12 health and physical education teacher licensure program instructs Meredith students in appropriate learning experiences to meet the needs, capabilities, and interests of K-12 students studying health and physical education.
- To earn licensure in health and physical education for grades K-12, students must complete the requirements for general education and their chosen major, as well as the licensure requirements.
- In addition, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Health and Physical Education is for college graduates who have degrees related to health and physical education and who want to transition into a teaching career.听
Why Study Health, Exercise & Sport Sciences at Meredith?
- Choose from two concentrations: health and physical education or health and wellness.
- Study in a new building, including a听Health and Human Performance Lab听that gives you access to advanced technology and exciting hands-on experience.听
- Land top internships and field experiences through Meredith鈥檚 ideal location and strong faculty connections to employers and organizations.
- HESS majors can join the Sports Science Association and gain valuable hands-on experience by organizing community health events, supporting students鈥� health and wellness, and presenting at professional conferences.
- Students in HESS graduate with three certificates in addition to the B.S. in HESS degree making them highly competitive in the job market.
- Meredith HESS graduates hold a variety of roles, including Doctors in Physical Therapy, Doctors in Occupational Therapy, Medical Doctors, Physician Assistants, Clinical Researchers, Strength and Conditioning Coaches,听 Recreation Therapists, Health and Physical Educators, and Clinical Exercise Physiologists.
What Can You Do With a Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Degree?
- Meredith鈥檚 location near downtown Raleigh and the Research Triangle provides access to internships that prepare graduates for any number of careers. Recent internship sites include Abil-OT, Valencell, NextStep Raleigh, Shaw University Athletic Training, WakeMed Healthworks, and Pediatric Possibilities.
- On-campus opportunities include
- Human Performance Lab 鈥� perform basic fitness testing to extensive metabolic evaluation
- Employee Wellness Program 鈥� deliver fitness and educational programs to the employees of 缅北禁地
- Lowery Fitness Center 鈥� work as an instructor and gain hands-on experience in exercise instruction, implementation, and site supervision
- Angels in Motion 鈥� lead classes in an exciting, student-led fitness program offered to all Meredith students
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- An exercise science degree prepares graduates for a variety of careers. Some can be pursued with a bachelor鈥檚 in exercise science, while others require additional graduate or professional schooling.听
- For example, employment of is projected to grow 9 percent over the next ten years, a position that typically requires a bachelor鈥檚 degree. About 1,700 openings for exercise physiologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. The median annual wage for exercise physiologists is $47,940, according to the .
- Physical therapists frequently earn their ESS bachelor鈥檚 degree before continuing on to earn a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. The for physical therapists is $95,620.
- Examples of successful Meredith ESS graduates include
- Lauren Grodi, 鈥�20, who taught wellness classes for students, faculty, and staff as a certified group fitness instructor and interned with a physical therapist while studying abroad in Sydney, Australia. She鈥檚 now pursuing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at East Carolina University.
- Brittany Preston, 鈥�19, was a student advisor for Wings and transfer students and captain of the basketball team. She worked with her advisor to define a career path and she is now pursuing a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Methodist University.
Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences students are encouraged to conduct research while pursuing their degree. Students may identify a special topic and work under the supervision of a professor or join a research team formed by a professor. Recent undergraduate student research topics include
- An Investigation of Relationships between Freshman Academic Credit Hours and Health Status of Undergraduate Females
- The Effects of Sports Drinks on Aerobic Performance
- An Analysis of the Effects of Physical and Reactive Training on Agility Performance
- Influences of Fitness Assessment Programs on Female Undergraduate Exercise and Sport Science Majors
Academic Facilities
Communication and Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences (CHESS) Building
A new Communication and Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences (CHESS) Building was recently constructed to accommodate Meredith鈥檚 growing ESS program, which has increased by 52% over the last ten years. The approximately 13,000 square foot building features specialized spaces including a health and human performance lab, an assessment lab, and more.
Health & Human Performance Lab
With a focus on health and wellness, the lab provides early access to research and clinical practices. Our goal is to inspire听health, exercise, and sport sciences听students to become researchers and practitioners in a field of study in which women are traditionally underrepresented.
Lowery Fitness Center
ESS students also enjoy the Lowery Fitness Center, a recently renovated facility that includes treadmills, bikes, elliptical cross trainers, ascent trainers, rowers, and power lifting racks. There are also free weights, kettlebells, resistance machines, physio balls, medicine balls, bands, and accessory equipment available.
Exercise and Sport Sciences major Sophie Cook, ’23, built strong connections with her peers and faculty, which helped her land an internship that turned into a full-time job.
Honors Scholar and dual-sport athlete Kimberly Schuh, ’21, became an elementary P.E. teacher after graduation, a career that combines her interests in movement and education.
Exercise and Sports Science major Lauren Grodi, 鈥�20, used her strengths at Meredith as volleyball team captain, student researcher, and intern. She continues to use them while earning her doctorate in physical therapy at East Carolina University.
Videos About Meredith鈥檚 Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Major
Exercise and Sport Sciences major Sophie Cook, ’23, built strong connections with her peers and faculty, which helped her land an internship that turned into a full-time job.听
Majoring in ESS at 缅北禁地 in Raleigh, NC, will prepare you for a career in your field whether you plan to go to work right after graduation or pursue graduate or professional school.
Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences News and Events
缅北禁地鈥檚 Sport Science Association won a national award from the American Kinesiology Association in recognition of their community engagement and service to the College.听
缅北禁地 alumna Macy Brinson, 鈥�19, has been named the 2025 Wake County Public School System Teacher of the Year. She is a physical education teacher at Kingswood Magnet Elementary in Cary.
Contact Information
Dr. Heather Sanderson
Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences
CHESS 148
(919) 760-8152
hlsanderson@meredith.edu
Nutrition Health & Human Performance Dept. 禄
School of Education Health & Human Sciences 禄
