Skip to main content
One student takes the blood pressure of another student

Fitness and Sport Studies

Program Overview

Program Overview

Kick your future into high gear with a degree in fitness and sports studies. This unique program combines the fundamentals of kinesiology with courses in business and psychology to equip you with all the skills you’ll need to thrive in the fields of fitness, wellness and strength and conditioning. 

Explore how the human body grows stronger and healthier, and study how the human brain forms habits that change lives. Learn from compassionate, experienced professors who will propel you into motion to achieve your goals. And when you graduate, you will have the personal and professional skills to transform lives and in turn, help others achieve their goals.

Gain experiential knowledge and practice in a faith-informed setting to help discern your career path, whether that is becoming a personal trainer, founding a gym, leading in corporate wellness or creating a position that might not yet exist. You’ll be well-prepared for entrance and certification exams for graduate school or the workforce, and you’ll undoubtedly be a force for positive change in your community.

Courses

Courses

20:1

Student to faculty ratio

Internship

Become more competitive in the job market with an internship related to your interests. You’ll gain experience and boost your exposure. An internship will also help you learn whether you’ve chosen a career you’ll enjoy.

Job placement

With a top-tier university education on your resume, you’ll be in high demand, whether you choose to launch your career or begin graduate school. Most of our programs have a placement rate of at least 90 percent within six months of graduation.

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who actually care about you. Our small class sizes allow us to get to know you personally. We lead an approachable community within our respective programs. Our faculty connections are the experts on their subject matter, too.

Our Faculty

  • Ruth Henry headshot

    Ruth Henry

    Professor and Department Chair, Kinesiology

    Long-tenured Lipscomb faculty member in exercise science, she teaches the statistics and research courses.

    Meet Ruth Henry
  • David Bender headshot

    David Bender

    Financial Aid Loan Coord

    David Bender joined the Lipscomb faculty in 2020 as an assistant professor in nutrition and kinesiology. In 2002, Bender enlisted in the Marine Corps. He served from 2003 to 2011...

    Meet David Bender
  • Rebecca Claypool headshot

    Rebecca Claypool

    Assistant Professor

    Dr. Rebecca Claypool brings more than twenty years of interdisciplinary industry experience in recreation, fitness, and health professions to her role as a faculty member at Lipscomb University. Her professional...

    Meet Rebecca Claypool
  • Kent Johnson headshot

    Kent Johnson

    Professor, Exercise Science Program Director

    Cofounder of EXNS program Long-tenured Lipscomb faculty member in exercise physiology, leads the cardiovascular laboratory, and is a fellow in the ACSM.

    Meet Kent Johnson
  • Laurel Littlefield headshot

    Laurel Littlefield

    Associate Professor

    Laurel and her husband Brad are originally from West Texas, and moved to Nashville with their three sons in 2018. Laurel and Brad met while attending Lubbock Christian University (LCU)...

    Meet Laurel Littlefield
  • Matthew Ruiz headshot

    Matthew Ruiz

    Director of Exercise and Human Performance Program

    Professional expertise in sport, exercise and performance psychology.

    Meet Matthew Ruiz

Career Paths

Fitness Trainers and Instructors

Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercises (exercises for the heart and blood circulation), strength training, and stretching. They work with people of all ages and skill levels.

Health Educators and Community Health Workers

Health educators teach people about behaviors that promote wellness. They develop and implement strategies to improve the health of individuals and communities. Community health workers collect data and discuss health concerns with members of specific populations or communities..

Athletic Trainers

Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.