Fitness and Nutrition BS
Earn your online Fitness and Nutrition degree online with Southern Miss!
Program-at-a-Glance (Undergraduate)
Completion Time:
2-4 years
Special Requirements:
None
Learn more about this program:
The Fitness and Nutrition BS from The University of Southern Mississippi will turn your passion for health and wellness into a career. You will develop the skills necessary to immediately join the workforce and make a difference in the health of your community! This fully-online Fitness and Nutrition BS degree combines your interests in kinesiology, fitness, and nutrition to give you a well-rounded knowledge base so you will make a bigger impact in the fitness and nutrition space.
Our classes will also prepare you for professional certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and/or the American Council on Exercise. With our fully asynchronous classes, you’ll be able to learn it all on your own time! Looking to learn more? Our enrollment coaches are here to help. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college!
Scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first-time, fully-online students an opportunity for $500 toward their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now!
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A fitness and nutrition DEGREE?
A Fitness and Nutrition degree can open up various employment opportunities in wellness centers, corporate wellness, recreation, personal training, and community wellness.
We are here to help! Our enrollment coaches are standing by to help you take the next step.
We’ll call you soon! In the meantime, learn more about us from our blog or start your application.
Written Communication
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Composition One
|
3 hrs. |
|
Composition Two
|
3 hrs. |
Natural Science
Select 2 courses with labs:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
General Astronomy I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Astronomy II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Biology and Society
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Chemistry and Our Environment
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Chemistry I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biochemistry
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Weather and Climate
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Land and Water
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Physical Geology
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Historical Geology
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Ocean Science
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introductory Physics
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics I with Calculus
*
|
4 hrs. |
|
General Physics II with Calculus
*
|
4 hrs. |
|
Living in a Material World
*
|
3 hrs. |
Humanities
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Literature
|
3 hrs. |
Select 2 courses, 1 History required:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Civilizations: Beginnings to 1500 C.E.
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Civilizations: 1500 to the present
|
3 hrs. |
|
Colloquium on the Pre-Modern World
|
3 hrs. |
|
Colloquium on the Modern World
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Philosophy
|
3 hrs. |
|
Ethics and Good Living
|
3 hrs. |
|
Comparative Religion
|
3 hrs. |
Aesthetic Values
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Art Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
|
Dance Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
|
The Enjoyment of Music
|
3 hrs. |
|
Theatre Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Select 2 courses:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
The Human Experience: A Global Perspective on Human Diversity
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Cultural & Linguistic Anthropology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Basic Economics
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth
|
3 hrs. |
|
Concepts of Wellness
|
3 hrs. |
|
American Government
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Understanding Society: Principles of Sociology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Language
|
3 hrs. |
Mathematics
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Quantitative Reasoning
|
3 hrs. |
|
College Algebra
|
3 hrs. |
|
Higher-level MAT course
|
|
|
ACT Math sub score of 24 or higher
|
|
|
SAT Math score of 560 or higher
|
|
Writing-Intensive Requirement
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Community Nutrition
|
3 hrs. |
|
ENG 101 and ENG 102 prerequisites
|
|
Speaking Intensive Requirement
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Public Speaking
|
3 hrs. |
|
Interpersonal Communication
|
3 hrs. |
|
Professional Communication
|
3 hrs. |
|
Small-Group Communication
|
3 hrs. |
Capstone Requirement
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Current Trends in the Fitness and Nutrition Industries
|
|
|
Must be taken Senior Year: ENG 101 & ENG 102 prerequisites
|
|
Major Area of Study Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Exercise Testing and Prescription
|
3 hrs. |
|
Nutrition and Performance
|
3 hrs. |
|
Motor Development
|
3 hrs. |
|
Lifestyle Management for Chronic Disease
|
3 hrs. |
|
Methods of Strength and Conditioning
|
3 hrs. |
|
Exercise Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Cooking for Wellness
|
3 hrs. |
|
Nutrition
|
3 hrs. |
|
Nutrition and Weight Control
|
3 hrs. |
|
Movement and Sport Skill Analysis
|
3 hrs. |
|
Community Nutrition
|
3 hrs. |
|
Anatomy and Movement
|
3 hrs. |
|
Foundations of Fitness and Nutrition
|
3 hrs. |
|
Creating and Implementing Exercise Programs
|
3 hrs. |
|
Management Practices for the Fitness Professional
|
3 hrs. |
|
Current Trends in the Fitness and Nutrition Industries
|
3 hrs. |
|
Exercise Specialist Certification Preparation
|
3 hrs. |
Additional Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Concepts of Wellness
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Principles of Marketing
|
3 hrs. |
|
Sport Marketing
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Counseling Theory and Practice
|
3 hrs. |
|
Health Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Multicultural Counseling
|
3 hrs. |
|
Group Procedures
|
3 hrs. |
Electives (up to 25 hours)
Choose electives as needed. (See hours to Degree below).
Hours to Degree
120 hours are needed to graduate with a BS in Fitness and Nutrition. Of the total hours applied to this degree, 30 hours must be in courses numbered at the 300 level or above. The student must earn at least 21 of the last 30 hours of course work and at least 12 hours in the major area of study from Southern Miss. See Residence Hour Requirements for more information.
Additional Note
Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
To get started with the application process, visit the application page.
For more information on financial assistance, please visit the Office of Financial Aid’s website: http://www.usm.edu/financial-aid
While the certification process is not part of the program itself, students will take a certification prep course in their last semester of the program to learn about and prepare for certifications in the field. Graduates of this program will be prepared to sit for certifications through the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Graduates of the program are qualified to work in fitness and wellness centers, corporate wellness facilities, public and private recreation centers, hospitals, or become personal trainers.
A Fitness & Nutrition degree can help you find a fulfilling career making a positive impact on the lifestyle behaviors of our population by promoting healthy eating and exercise habits!
If you have questions about tuition, transfer credits or anything else about the university, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!
Admission Requirements
The following is required from all undergraduate applicants:
- Application for Undergraduate Admission
- $45 non-refundable application fee
- An official high school transcript for freshman (high school) applicants OR official transcripts from all institutions attended after high school for transfer applicants
- Submission of ACT or SAT scores for freshman (high school) applicants
Program Academic Policies and Requirements:
- See University Academic Policies and Requirements
- Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all program curriculum courses (DEG01 and DEG02).
- Students desiring to transfer from other schools or colleges within the University must be in good academic standing and possess a minimum GPA of 2.0 to be admitted to a degree program
