North Park University: Christian - Urban

Why Study Exercise Science?

With an increasing focus on health and fitness in our society, there is growing demand for professionals who can help individuals improve their quality of life through exercise. Exercise science will teach you how our bodies work and prepare you to make a difference in someone’s life as a personal trainer, a fitness administrator, a physical therapist, and other health fitness-related fields.

Why North Park?

Our program teaches a scientific foundation in human movement, provides access to exercise-related internship opportunities in Chicago, and explores the spiritual side of health and fitness. We purposefully take a multicultural approach in the classroom, preparing students to work with diverse populations and to become leaders in education, health, athletics, and recreation.

Alumni Careers and Graduate Schools

Exercise Science graduates find careers in a variety of settings, from private clients to community fitness. Our alumni are aquatics supervisors, fitness instructors, exercise-related entrepreneurs, massage therapists, personal trainers, and physical therapists. They have pursued graduate work in physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, and exercise physiology.

Internship Opportunities

Chicago offers a wide array of internship opportunities for exercise science majors. North Park students have held internships at the following locations:

EFT Performance Training
Gordon Technical High School
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Swedish Covenant Hospital
YMCA

Interesting Courses

One option for the personal health requirement is a class takes students from the city to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a cross-country ski trip that provides an opportunity to learn about exercise, ecology, and health in a natural environment.

Learn more about the courses and requirements for the exercise science major.

Meet the Faculty

Three generations of John Hjelm’s family graduated from North Park, which has provided a place for him to join two passions: teaching and health.

Learn more about John Hjelm and the exercise science faculty.

Alumni Profile

Kyle Edwards C'12 had a seamless transition from his exercise science classes to a hands-on internship with Fit Code Performance, where he gained the experience he needed to become an athlete and personal trainer and land a job in his field.

Read about Kyle’s experience.

Next Steps

Program Requirements