Build your fitness and performance career at PennWest University
Get real-world relevant education that puts your ambitions within reach. Explore 100%
online bachelor's and master's degrees in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, plus
stackable certificates. Fast-track your degree by converting your professional experience
and certifications into course credits—saving you both time and money.
Choose your next step:
Master’s Degree (MS)
Exercise Science and Health Promotion (online)
Explore the Master’s DegreeGraduate Certificates
Targeted, stackable credentials in specialized areas
Explore CertificatesDoctorate (DHSc)
Health Science and Exercise Leadership (online)
Explore the Doctorate DegreeBachelor’s Degree (BS)
Exercise Science (online), Human Performance and Wellness
Explore the Bachelor’s DegreeWhy Exercise Science at PennWest
You want more than theory. You want skills you can apply with real people, real goals, and real outcomes. At PennWest University, Exercise Science is built around evidence-based practice, practical program design, and the flexibility to learn online without putting your life on hold.
Whether you’re leveling up as a working professional, switching careers, or building a foundation for what comes next, you’ll find programs designed to move you forward with confidence.
Master’s (MS) Exercise Science and Health Promotion
PennWest’s online Master’s in Exercise Science and Health Promotion is offered 100%
online, with the ability to tailor your degree through 10 specialized concentrations—including
the option to pursue dual concentrations.
Complete your master's degree fully online in as little as 11 months.
What you’ll gain:
- Advanced, evidence-based coursework in exercise science, health promotion, nutrition, assessment, and program design
- Flexible study options designed for working professionals
- Options for professional certificates if you want a shorter, targeted credential
Find your focus
Choose one concentration or pair two for a broader skill set.
Advanced Golf Performance
Study swing biomechanics and fitness concepts for golfers, with program design and injury prevention applications.
Applied Sport Science
Explore movement, recovery, and performance through current research and applied methods.
Group Fitness Leadership
Build leadership skills for group fitness and learn to coach, motivate, and program across modalities like HIIT, cardio, strength, and flexibility.
Nutrition
Learn advanced nutrition concepts and how to create plans that support healthier behaviors, performance, and overall wellness.
Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention
Design integrated performance and rehabilitation programs and strengthen your injury-prevention approach.
Rehabilitation Science
Connect biomechanics and rehab-focused assessment to build corrective exercise programs for clients recovering from injury.
Sport Psychology
Understand the mental side of performance, injury, and recovery, and learn strategies that support athletes in high-pressure environments.
Tactical Strength and Conditioning
Train for the demands of first responders and tactical professionals with performance-focused programming and leadership.
Wellness and Fitness
Design comprehensive programs using proven training frameworks and a whole-person approach to fitness and wellness.
Wellness Coaching
Help clients build lasting change through coaching competencies and behavior-focused strategies.
Shorter path. Same momentum.
If you want to specialize without committing to a full master’s right now, PennWest offers graduate certificates aligned to the same specialization areas, giving you a focused credential and a clear next step.
Options include: Advanced Golf Performance Training, Applied Sport Science, Group Fitness, Nutrition, Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation Science, Sport Psychology, Tactical Strength and Conditioning, Wellness and Fitness, Wellness Coaching.
Doctorate (D.H.Sc.) in Health Science and Exercise Leadership
Lead wellness at a higher level.
PennWest’s Doctorate in Health Science and Exercise Leadership (D.H.Sc.) is a post-professional, 100% online, 48-credit terminal degree built for people who want to lead the shift from treating disease to promoting preventive health and wellness—in organizations, communities, and education.
Built for working professionals
You’ll study advanced topics in health promotion, exercise science, and wellness leadership,
with coursework that strengthens your ability to lead, teach, and drive change.
Average time to complete: about 3 years.
What makes this doctorate different
- Evidence-based research portfolio focused on real challenges in health, exercise, and wellness practice
- Coursework in adult learning theories, leadership principles, curriculum design, and evidence-based health promotion strategies
- No concentrations — the program is intentionally designed as a leadership-focused doctorate
Where it can take you
Graduates pursue leadership and advanced professional paths such as wellness program director, corporate health consultant, health services manager, health policy analyst, clinical research scientist, and more.
A strong fit if you want to...
- Help move healthcare from “sickness-centric” thinking to prevention and wellness
- Lead fitness/wellness initiatives at the community or corporate level
- Build stronger research and problem-solving skills to implement evidence-based solutions
- Expand your impact through education, training, and curriculum design
Start strong with a 100% online bachelor’s
PennWest’s online Bachelor’s in Exercise Science (Human Performance and Wellness)
builds a foundation in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, fitness assessment,
nutrition, and program design.
Complete your bachelor's degree fully online in as little as two years.
Certification Opportunity
While enrolled, students are eligible to earn certifications including:
- Certified Personal Trainer (NASM)
- Certified Speed Specialist (NASE)
- Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM)
- Corrective Exercise Specialist (NASM)
Support that stays with you
From enrollment to employment, we’ve got you.
From your first questions to your next career move, you should feel supported and confident in what comes next. Join a connected community built for your success, with dedicated advisors and resources available to online students every step of the way.
“Having earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degree through the online program, I only have positive things to say. I learned and grew a lot. I found the program to be quite intensive. The textbooks utilized, the quality of the program and the professionalism of the professors were excellent.”
Your next step is within reach.
Tell us what you’re aiming for, and we’ll help you find the right program path.