Exercise Science Degrees in Iowa - IA

By Candy Eggleton, allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 13 2011

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While earning an exercise science degree, students will learn to work with a wide variety of clients while at the same time specializing in a field of their choosing. Degrees can lead to a career in sports medicine, physical education in elementary, secondary or high schools, rehabilitation or fitness.

In 2008, Iowa had the 11th highest rate of overweight or obese adults in the nation with 63.6 of its citizens falling into this category based on statistics collected by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This, along with a large aging population, is driving a need for health-care providers across the board, and particularly in areas of prevention and rehabilitation.

This need can be met at all educational levels – from associate’s degree programs, all the way up to the doctoral level. An associate’s degree may be used to enter the field sooner, and working while pursuing more advanced education.

Prospective students aspiring to careers in exercise science can pursue traditional campus based programs or equally rigorous online programs. Here, students can expect undergraduate courses in anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, social science, mathematics, and statistics. Clinically-based courses will most often include patient screening, testing, the diagnostic process, outcomes assessment, and practice management. Those in a four-year program can expect to have supervised hands on experience outside of the classroom.