Health and EXERCISE SCIENCE
Student Testimonials

"I chose Simmons University DPT 3+3 program because it offered a unique opportunity to get both an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 6 years. This program provides a structured path that has been a good fit for me. The undergraduate workload, especially courses like Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology, have provided a strong foundation and preparation for the Physical Therapy program.

I have enjoyed making connections with my undergraduate professors and feel comfortable reaching out to them with questions in my graduate classes. The Exercise Science to DPT program here at Simmons has been an easy transition and I entered the graduate workload feeling prepared and supported. I feel fortunate to be able to continue sharing experiences with classmates and friends from the undergraduate to graduate programs."

"The Health and Exercise Science program at Simmons University has been pivotal in laying the groundwork for my postgraduate success. The program’s flexibility allowed me to take classes and engage in internships beyond the standard curriculum. Thanks to my supportive professors who encouraged my passions, their guidance helped me discover a unique path in exercise science. 

I had the privilege of graduating with a clear understanding of what I love, which ignited my interest in public health and policy. Through my senior capstone project and internship at the Massachusetts State House, I realized my goal of using my degree to effect broader-scale change. I will continue to explore these passions through my successful matriculation into the Masters of Public Health program here at Simmons. One day, I hope to work toward increasing overall access to movement for all different populations, because movement is medicine."

"The Exercise Science program at Simmons allows students to explore all opportunities and careers that an Exercise Science degree can provide. Ultimately, the program provided me with many unique opportunities such as volunteering at a local Boston nursing home and completing a year-long internship at Joslin Diabetes Center while completing all the necessary prerequisites for Physical Assistant (PA) school. I am thrilled that the program gave me the confidence and skills to become a successful first-time applicant to PA school."

"Halfway through undergrad I decided I wanted to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy. My initial plan to attend graduate school for physical therapy changed once the pandemic hit. I started researching and realized that there were so many career paths I could take with an exercise science degree aside from physical therapy. The program curriculum can be challenging at times but has definitely prepared me for my graduate studies. I began my graduate school application process in the fall of my senior year, and made the decision to attend MCPHS's Occupational Therapy program. I loved my experience at Simmons University and was so grateful for all the wonderful professors that helped me along the way. Being a student athlete made my Simmons experience even more fulfilling, as I was able to prioritize my schoolwork while also getting to play the sport I loved."

 "My experience at Simmons as a Health and Exercise Science Major and Computer Science major often throws people off, but I want it to serve as inspiration for those who also have multiple interests. I was always interested in how technology played a role in physiological research and how we can advance the field of exercise science through wearables and data collection.This pushed me to do my senior thesis and research on the Types of Machine Learning Algorithms for Gait Collection in those with Neurodegenerative Disorders. I was able to apply what I learned in my CS courses to concepts of the gait cycle that I had learned through my exercise science courses and my professors from both fields were very helpful during this long, but rewarding, process. I give credit mainly to the Health and Exercise Science Department at Simmons and how amazing the quality of education is. If it weren't for the amazing professors and classmates I met, I would not have felt comfortable pursuing my other interests and being inspired to see how they connect to the field of exercise science. As I sit here in grad school right now to get my Doctor of Physical Therapy, I feel well prepared and know that I picked the right school and program by attending Simmons." 

"I chose the Exercise Science program at Simmons because of its comprehensive curriculum, diverse internship opportunities, and preparatory courses. As an aspiring athletic trainer (AT), I can confidently say that this program has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and experience to pursue an athletic training career after graduation.

The program offers a variety of courses that has been instrumental in preparing me to enter an athletic training program. Courses such as Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology and Exercise Prescription provided me with an in-depth understanding of the human body and developing customized exercise plans to meet the unique needs of future patients.

The Internship component provided me with the opportunity to work in a setting that laid the foundation for my future as an AT. I completed my internship at Brandeis University Athletics in their Sports Medicine department where I was able to apply knowledge gained in class, work alongside ATs, and have numerous conversations about sports medicine, which gave me a valuable perspective on the athletic training profession.

The dedicated and resourceful faculty in the Exercise Science program are another important factor that contributed to my success. They not only prepared me with the necessary skills needed to complete the program, but also provided support and guidance as I navigated my career path. Through their help, I have already connected with several ATs and feel confident that I have the support I need to succeed in this field.

Overall, I highly recommend the Exercise Science program at Simmons University. The program provides an exceptional education, real-world experience, and supportive faculty that will prepare you for a successful career."

"Upon entry to the Exercise Science Program as a transfer student hoping to get into Physical Therapy (PT), I was happy to have already completed most general education requirements and directly enrolled into classes that are directly applicable to PT and other clinical practices.

My favorite course was Foundations of Exercise and Health, which explored published research that generally investigated the impacts of exercise on various chronic diseases, such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. This class caused a slight change in my career trajectory, as I now hope to become a clinical researcher in the PT field. Nonetheless, my internship experience senior year was in an outpatient PT clinic.

My internship at an out-patient PT clinic senior year was excellent, and went hand in hand with my course work. There were many class-concepts that made a lot more sense when I could practically apply them in the internship setting, and there were things I'd see in the clinic that didn't make sense until they were taught in class. The internship component of the program further demonstrates the intentionality of it all, as it helps us as students gain experience, clinical hours, knowledge, and professional connections - things necessary to advance in our careers.

One thing to consider is that, although it's not as intuitive, the Exercise Science program is not exclusively for people who plan to be PT's, Occupational Therapists, or Athletic Trainers. It is necessary to keep an open mind about how similar or overlapping other career paths are, as I have peers on Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, and other pre-health pathways. In my opinion, the Exercise Science program is fitting for anyone who plans to use concepts of anatomy and health in their career because exercise is medicine and it plays a crucial role in health."

"I am currently a graduate student in an Occupational Therapy (OT) program and I feel strongly that my undergraduate experience allowed for an easy transition.  Courses like Anatomy & Physiology, and Kinesiology, gave me a solid foundation from which I was able to build off of. I find myself constantly referring back to prior knowledge I had learned in these courses as I completed my first semester of graduate school.

The internship opportunity I had during my senior year at a personal training facility was also very beneficial for me. This experience allowed me to apply the content from courses to real life situations, which felt so rewarding. Additionally, the internship allowed me to grow so much personally and professionally through working with real clients which in turn, built my confidence.

Overall, my time at Simmons in the Health and Exercise Science program allowed me to pursue my goal of becoming an Occupational Therapist with a unique perspective that will continue to support my future career."

"I graduated in May 2022, majoring in Exercise Science with a Psychology minor. I currently am employed at fitness/wellness studio and am planning to pursue a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology. My educational path is not at all what I planned on as a 1st year student coming into Simmons, as my focus was getting into the DPT 3+3 program, and nothing else. Some advice and encouragement I would share to future students is to look into all of the options available to you if you are feeling hesitant or unsure of a career path. There were many times when I discussed with professors, professionals with the same degree, and others about the career options within the Exercise Science field, and I embraced the opportunity of having really anything to choose from.

As an example, I worked at a gym throughout college, and as I grew there, I learned higher up positions existed that needed exercise physiologists to design workout programs for special populations. That is just one example of how many different companies need individuals with exercise science knowledge. In addition, I was exposed to countless other jobs I never would have considered in settings like fitness companies, clinical research, biotech, athletic apparel, sports & human performance, corporate wellness, and many others.

The fitness-wellness industry is rapidly increasing in jobs, technology, and equipment. My overall advice to students is to focus on your own passions and interests, and most importantly, just talk to people. Talk to professionals about their work and what they do, as they are usually happy to answer your questions. This is how I personally discovered the amount of jobs that exist, and is actually what helped me obtain my current job. This approach and mindset made me feel less limited with my degree choice, and am excited to continue developing my place in this expanding field."

"Through my four years at Simmons, the Exercise Science program has provided me with a great scaffolding for my future education and career. The prerequisites required to take courses in the exercise science department allow for a good base of knowledge before getting deeper into the major. My favorite class from the program was Foundations of Exercise and Health where part of the class included a field placement. In small groups, we had to create a 4-week exercise program for a specific patient population. This experience allowed us to put what we were learning in the classroom to use in the real world. 

One of the best experiences that Simmons provided me with is my internship during the last year of my undergraduate program. I was fortunate enough to work at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute working as an exercise training in their clinical trials. During the school year, I got to work closely with cancer survivors to help them get stronger and learn about the benefits of exercise while also collecting data for the studies. The faculty in the exercise science department also helped me navigate my path to graduation. They were helpful in every step of the way by helping me chose classes, find my internship and supportive in every course."