Bachelor's Degree
Online Bachelor of Science in Sports and Health Sciences (BS)
Learn how to apply the principles of exercise science to real-world challenges and achieve measurable results. This sports and health sciences bachelor’s degree program at American Public University (APU) examines evidence-based approaches to improving health, wellness, physical fitness, and athletic performance.
Program Overview
Students become familiar with the key components of health, wellness, physical fitness, and athletic performance. Courses examine practical applications for the latest exercise science research findings, and students discuss current practices that support healthy lifestyles. Learners also study basic sports first aid and nutrition.
APU’s curriculum emphasizes the study of human behavior as it relates to exercise, athleticism, and overall wellness. In addition, this online degree program explores a wide range of topics, including:
- Human anatomy
- Exercise physiology
- Exercise science
- Athletic conditioning
- Kinesiology
- Exercise testing and programming
- Sports psychology
- Coaching strategies
Students learn from respected faculty who share their real-world expertise as researchers, athletic trainers, physical therapists, coaches, fitness center directors, and nutrition and health consultants.
This Bachelor of Science in Sports and Health Sciences program is affiliated with the guidelines of the American Sport Education Program (ASEP).
Sports and Health Sciences Concentrations
APU’s sports and health sciences program includes degree concentration tracks with specialized coursework that allows students to explore their specific interests in depth. Each track focuses on a specific discipline related to health and wellness. Coursework helps equip students with career-relevant knowledge.
Select a concentration to learn more.
About the Concentration
This general concentration allows you to select from all concentration courses offered within this program, enabling you to create your own focused area of study.
Program Objectives
This general concentration allows you to select from all concentration courses offered within this program, enabling you to create your own focused area of study.
About the Concentration
Explores strategies of effective communication with athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, and parents. The curriculum evaluates technical and tactical sport skills, as well as leadership strategies and their application to coaching principles. A focus on coaching leadership can also be applied to other business endeavors and personal life.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Identify strategies to effectively communicate athletes, fellow coaches, officials, school administrators, and parents.
- Examine methods for teaching and evaluating technical and tactical sport skills.
- Analyze and evaluate leadership strategies and apply them to coaching principles.
About the Concentration
Offers scientific knowledge used to train athletes and clients in fitness and athletic performance, including exercise prescription principles for training variation, injury prevention, and reconditioning. Examines sports nutrition and supplementation, lower and upper extremities function during exercise, and mental training strategies aimed at improving athletic performance.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Apply scientific knowledge to train athletes and clients for the primary goals of improving athletic performance and fitness.
- Apply exercise prescription principles for training variation, injury prevention, and reconditioning.
- Analyze sport movements and design movement-oriented exercise prescriptions.
About the Concentration
Examines health care financing and economic principles, as well as environmental, sociocultural, and other factors that influence fitness and wellness practices. Topics include the physical, intellectual, and social components of wellness, as well as sports facility and event management and other business aspects, including risk management, marketing, leadership, and personnel.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze the structure of healthcare financing and economic principles.
- Evaluate environmental, sociocultural, and economic factors that influence fitness and wellness professional practices throughout society.
- Integrate healthy lifestyle and behavior practices for improving overall well-being.
About the Concentration
Nutrition and physical activity are essential components of health and well-being. The Nutrition for Health and Fitness concentration extends the core nutrition theories beyond basic sports nutrition concepts taught in the Sports and Health Sciences curriculum. Students will learn to apply cultural food practices, advanced nutrition topics, wellness and disease prevention principles, and skills to integrate nutrition coaching/well-being techniques to health and fitness programs.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Apply fundamental principles and concepts of nutrition science (e.g., nutrients, hydration, and alcohol consumption), cultural food practices, and disease prevention to essential health and fitness principles.
- Evaluate current fitness and wellness topics using appropriate nutrition and physical activity principles.
- Develop strategies that help clients select appropriate foods, manage cultural food restrictions, and overcome life/training hurdles to build healthy eating habits that improve their well-being.
Gain a Career-Relevant Education When You Study Sports and Health Sciences
Courses examine the habits and behaviors that support a healthy lifestyle. Learners discuss the principles of sport science and exercise physiology as they consider the various factors that impact physical fitness.
Students in this online program also:
- Apply exercise science concepts to a variety of sports and fitness activities
- Understand how to implement motivational strategies and tactics to guide practice and performance aimed at improving physical activity
- Learn to advance fitness, readiness, and performance
- Educate various populations on the basic concepts of a healthful diet and how to use nutritional guidelines to improve performance
- Understand how to manage sports-related injuries with basic first aid principles
APU’s curriculum combines exercise science with elements of sports medicine. Coursework emphasizes career-readiness through assignments that sharpen students’ problem-solving skills. Faculty members further enrich the online learning experience as they share firsthand knowledge from their backgrounds in the health and wellness fields.
Graduates may consider potential career opportunities as:
- Exercise physiologists, who design and implement training to help clients reach their health and fitness goals
- Athletic coaches, who train and motivate athletes, organize practice sessions, and oversee competitions
- Fitness center managers, who oversee the day-to-day operations at gyms and train employees, in addition to developing exercise programs for members
- Personal trainers/fitness instructors, who design and lead training sessions and exercise plans for individuals, community groups, and/or athletic teams
- Strength and conditioning coaches, who create training programs to support fitness goals, optimize athletic performance, and help prevent sports injuries
- Health educators, who deliver wellness programs to support public health professionals and community health initiatives
- Wellness coaches/corporate wellness specialists, who lead individuals/employees through exercise programs and other health-related initiatives
- Health promotion specialists, who build wellness campaigns and may work for hospitals, corporations, and/or community centers
- Occupational health and safety specialists, who lead initiatives to help workers in physically demanding occupations prevent injuries
- Rehabilitation specialists/performance specialists, who assist clients and athletes with injury recovery and performance optimization
Students interested in other allied health and medical professions should anticipate additional, graduate-level coursework, clinical training, and/or licensure requirements. The BS in Sports and Health Sciences provides students with foundational knowledge and research skills to help them prepare for more advanced study.
Learners develop a diverse set of skills as they discuss how health and fitness principles apply to real-world scenarios. Courses address how exercise programs and wellness initiatives can be tailored to accommodate various populations, from fitness enthusiasts to professional athletes.
Students learn how to:
- Apply exercise science concepts to various sports activities and fitness initiatives
- Implement motivational strategies to guide practice and help clients improve their physical performance
- Advance health, fitness, and performance
- Educate various populations on the basic concepts of a healthy diet and how to improve performance through proper nutrition
- Manage sports-related injuries with basic first aid
Browse Courses from APU’s Bachelor of Science in Sports and Health Sciences Program
The sports and health sciences discipline involves the study of exercise science, human movement, and sports performance. Health-related principles of biology and physiology form the basis of the program.
Courses also incorporate experiential learning through laboratory exercises. Students examine how scientific inquiry leads to discoveries that help shape effective exercise programs and other wellness practices.
All Course Requirements for Sports and Health Sciences
Explore Online Communities at APU While You Pursue Your Bachelor’s Degree
Expand your network and build lasting connections while you pursue your bachelor’s degree online at APU. The University hosts more than 100 student clubs, including our:
- Association for Women in Science Health Sciences
- Honor Society
- Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement
- Golden Key International Honour Society
These organizations provide opportunities for classmates and faculty to discuss their shared interests beyond the virtual classroom.
Learn more about student life at American Public University.
Signature Skills: A Learning Revolution
Integrated into our student curriculum, these signature skills teach you how to move through the world with confidence. The road to success is paved with signature skills learned at APUS.
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Encouraging students to use current technologies, critically evaluate emerging tools, and responsibly engage with digital and AI systems.
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Strengthening the ability in all students to analyze information objectively, question assumptions, explore alternatives, and develop skills essential for navigating continual change.
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Helping students thrive in dynamic workplaces by reinforcing adaptability, resilience, innovation, and self-awareness.
Welcome to a learning revolution.
APUS signature skills.
Digital literacy, critical thinking, a growth mindset entwine themselves around the student journey.
They’re in everything we do!
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Meant to inform our approach to you, and your ability to thrive beyond the classroom,
these signature skills teach you how to move through the world with confidence.
The road to success is paved with signature skills learned at APUS.
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APU is here to support your student journey
We know your well-being is vital to your success. That's why we offer a range of supportive resources to help you throughout your academic journey.
- Career Coaching
- 24/7 Mental Health Support
- Admissions & Advising Support
- Student Life
Career Coaching
Get individualized guidance to help you explore career options, strengthen professional skills, and prepare for the next step in your journey. Whether you’re just entering the workforce, changing fields, or advancing your professional knowledge, our career services team is here to help you translate your goals into action.
Learn More24/7 Mental Health Support
Your well-being is essential to your success. That’s why APU offers access to confidential, flexible, and around-the-clock mental health support. Through our partnerships with telehealth apps, you can connect with peers and professionals anytime you need to manage stress, maintain balance, or find motivation.
Learn MoreAdmissions & Advising Support
From your first course to the day you graduate, our admissions and advising teams are here to guide you every step of the way. You’ll receive personalized assistance with enrollment, program selection, and degree planning from professionals who understand the needs of adult learners.
Learn MoreStudent Life
At APU, learning extends far beyond the classroom. Enrich your college experience and expand your network by getting involved in any of our student organizations. From cultural and social organizations to program-specific honor societies, you’ll find a group to help you thrive during and after your studies.
Learn MoreAPU’s Sports and Health Sciences Program Provides an Affordable Education
University grants and low-cost tuition rates help reduce out-of-pocket expenses for students pursuing their bachelor’s degrees online at APU. Generous transfer credit opportunities further reduce the cost of pursuing a sports and health sciences education.
- $0 Application Fee
- $0 Textbooks & Ebooks
- $0 Transfer Credit Evaluation
Earning a degree is a valuable investment, but it needs to fit into your budget. Our tuition estimator can help you estimate your tuition and fees, so you can plan a manageable path to your educational goals. For full details, please refer to the financial aid cost of attendance (COA). This estimate does not include course materials, supplies, equipment, software and other expenses such as lab fees. You may be eligible for partnership grants through your employer. Speak with your admissions representative for more details.
APU Removes Barriers
Quality Education Shouldn’t Break the Bank
We offer special rates and grants for eligible students and limit fees to help keep the cost of higher education within reach. Find out how you can save on tuition expenses with our:
- Transfer Credits
- Financial Aid
- Private Loans & Scholarships
- Military & Veteran Benefits
Transfer Credits
APU makes it easy to earn credit for the work you’ve already done. We accept transfer credits from prior college coursework, professional training, exams, and certifications. We’ll evaluate your transcripts at no cost and help you maximize eligible credits so you can save time, reduce costs, and stay focused on reaching your education goals sooner.
Learn MoreFinancial Aid
We’re committed to making quality education accessible and affordable. APU participates in federal financial aid programs, including grants and loans for those who qualify. Our Financial Aid Office can provide personalized guidance to help you understand your options, complete required forms, and make an informed decision about paying for your education.
Learn MorePrivate Loans & Scholarships
In addition to federal financial aid, some APU students choose to explore private education loans or external scholarships to help fund their studies. We encourage all students to first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal student aid before considering private options. Be sure to research lenders carefully, compare terms, and understand your rights and responsibilities as a borrower.
Learn MoreMilitary & Veterans Benefits
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Apply to APU’s Bachelor of Science in Sports and Health Sciences Program Today
This sports and health sciences program consists of online courses with monthly start dates and no set login times. The University also has rolling admissions and welcomes new students all throughout the year.
Review our admission requirements and submit your application today.
- No Entrance Exams No SAT® or ACT® required for undergraduate programs7
- No Application Fee For undergraduate courses
- Courses Start Monthly Enroll now, start next month
- All APU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED). Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
- There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.
Learn More about Studying Health and Sports Science
Our faculty members work across a broad range of professions. They provide insights into myriad real-world applications for the concepts our students learn and discuss in class.
Current and former faculty members include:
- One of the first female athletic trainers in the National Basketball Association
- One of the first female athletic trainers in the National Hockey League
- An athletic trainer in the Women’s National Basketball Association
- A District One director for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association
- A director of education for USA Volleyball
- Collegiate head coaches
- A strength and conditioning coach in the National Football League (NFL)
Sports and exercise science helps us understand human performance and the variables that influence physical fitness and athletic ability. Knowledge of physics and chemistry provides a foundation for understanding how physical activity and nutrition influence stamina and endurance, as well as overall health.
Physics and chemistry also provide insights into the way the human body interacts with its environment. For example, studying the trajectory of pitches may help baseball players improve their batting averages.
With more than 200 career-relevant degrees and certificates, APU makes online education accessible and affordable.
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Consumer Information
Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.
The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.
The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.
See all military student benefits.
