While physical education programs are fundamentally designed to train educators, exercise science programs (often called kinesiology) are based on the scientific foundations and applications to exercise and sports, and do not produce physical education teachers.

Students majoring in Exercise and Sports Science choose one of two concentrations: clinical exercise physiology or fitness management. Both concentrations integrate anatomy, physiology, physics, psychology, and learning theory to describe and explain responses and adaptations to exercise and training, and apply that knowledge to enhance physical potential for health, for sport, and in rehabilitation. The programs also draw from Biology and Business Administration to provide a foundation in these disciplines to support exercise science applications as well as to enhance career preparedness.