Exercise Science with Concentration in Strength and Conditioning, BA

Prepare for a career helping athletes and active individuals improve their strength, performance, and physical abilities.

Exercise Science with Concentration in Strength and Conditioning, BA Program Overview

Through NEC’s Exercise Science program, you can develop a scientific understanding of human movement, exercise, and physical activity while learning to analyze movement and design and implement effective exercise programs.

The Strength and Conditioning concentration builds on this foundation with specialized coursework and hands-on field experience focused on athletic performance.

You will combine classroom learning with practical experience in strength and conditioning settings, developing the knowledge, skills, and professional experience needed to pursue careers in athletic performance, fitness, coaching, and related fields.

Why Earn Your Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science with Concentration in Strength and Conditioning?

In the Strength and Conditioning concentration, you will gain specialized preparation in the principles and practice of training athletes and active populations. You’ll study strength and conditioning concepts, apply what you learn through a practicum, and complete two field experiences that provide opportunities to put your knowledge into practice in professional settings.

BA in Exercise Science with Concentration in Strength and Conditioning Learning Outcomes

Students in NEC’s BA in Exercise Science program will learn to:

Scientifically analyze exercise, performance, and physical activity.
Design and implement appropriate exercise programs.
Apply effective written and verbal communication skills appropriate for professional practice in exercise science.
Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior consistent with standards in the exercise science industry.

New England College Students and Faculty Present Research at the 2026 NH-INBRE Annual Meeting and NH-LIFT Annual Summit

Over the last 16 years, New England College has received about $4.2 million in NH-INBRE and NH-LIFT grants to support faculty and student research in the natural and social sciences.

Five faculty and 15 students from New England College (NEC) presented research in August at the 2026 New Hampshire IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (NH-INBRE) Annual Meeting at the Omni Mount Washington Resort and the NH-LIFT Annual Summit at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester. NH-INBRE is a National Institutes of Health-funded grant, administered through Dartmouth College, that has supported biomedical research at NEC since 2010. NH-LIFT is a National Science Foundation-funded grant, administered through the University of New Hampshire, that has supported non-biomedical scientific research at NEC since 2024. Together, these research programs support NEC’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP).

Hidden Gem: NEC’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Students and faculty at INBRE Conference 2021

For more than a decade, NEC’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) has been quietly helping students embark on their science and healthcare careers. Each summer, students do real research and present their work at the NH-INBRE Conference.

Right: Professor James Newcomb and NEC students at the NH-INBRE Annual Meeting

Why Choose NEC?

New England College (NEC) is a private, nonprofit college founded in 1946 to serve the needs of servicepeople attending college on the GI Bill after World War II and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Today, NEC is an innovative, military-friendly institution and one of the top five liberal arts colleges in New Hampshire.

NEC offers 60 associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as more than 20 master’s degrees and two doctoral degree programs, all delivered by dedicated faculty focused on giving students opportunities to live what they learn. With access to many clubs, outdoor activities, natural areas, internships, and professor-led trips, NEC students have many ways to meet new people and try new things.

At NEC, the world is your classroom.

Find Out More

Recognition and Rankings

NEC Ranked Top College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in the state, as acknowledged by US News & World Report, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

NEC Ranked Leading College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in NH, as acknowledged by EduRank, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

NEC Ranked Top College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as one of the best ten colleges in NH, as acknowledged by Research.com, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

Research.com rankings logo for Best College in the Northeast 2026

NEC Ranked Leading College in the Northeast

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as one of the best colleges in the Northeast, as acknowledged by Research.com, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

BA in Exercise Science to MS in Exercise Science

Students interested in earning an MS in Exercise Science can take advantage of New England College’s admission agreement with Colby-Sawyer College.

Graduates of NEC’s BA in Exercise Science who meet admissions criteria will be automatically accepted for admission into the Colby-Sawyer College MS in Exercise Science program. Graduates will receive discounted tuition and can choose from the following concentrations:

Strength and Conditioning Track
Applied Exercise Science Track

Admission Guidelines

Complete Colby-Sawyer College’s online application
Provide all official college transcripts
Submit current résumé or CV
Have minimum GPA of 2.75 in undergraduate degree
Completion of pre-requisites with a grade of C or higher

Degree Requirements

Download Course Requirements

Faculty

Dr. Aaron Thompson

Visiting Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Email: athompson@nec.edu
Professional Website: ResearchGate Profile

Expertise, Achievements, and Recent Press
Dr. Thompson’s areas of expertise include exercise physiology, human performance, strength and conditioning, sport and exercise science, adapted physical activity, ultramarathon and endurance performance, sport management, and experiential learning in exercise science.

His scholarly work includes research examining the physiological demands of ultramarathon running, including sleep quality, neuromuscular function, perceived exertion, fatigue, and recovery during 100-mile ultramarathons. He coauthored the 2026 study “Completion of 100 Miles: Sleep Quality, Neuromuscular Function, and Perceived Exertion in Ultramarathon Runners,” published in the American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. This research received support from New Hampshire-INBRE and a Keene State College Faculty Development Grant.

Dr. Thompson is also actively engaged in research examining Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) within intercollegiate athletics, with a particular focus on the experiences and perspectives of collegiate athletic directors throughout New England.

In addition to his academic work, Thompson serves as Race Director of the Wildcat Ultra, an ultramarathon event in Pensacola, Florida, featuring distances from 15 miles to 100 miles. His experience as an endurance athlete and race director allows him to incorporate real-world applications of exercise physiology, event management, athlete preparation, and endurance performance into his teaching.

Educational Background
Doctor of Education: Educational Leadership, Southern New Hampshire University
Master’s in Physical Education: Sports Administration, University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Bachelor’s in Exercise Science: Recreation Management, University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Research Interests
Dr. Thompson’s research interests include exercise physiology and human performance, ultramarathon and endurance physiology, physiological responses to prolonged exercise, fatigue and recovery, sleep and endurance performance, neuromuscular function, athlete monitoring, and field-based exercise testing.

His broader scholarly interests include adapted physical activity and inclusive sport, the experiences of individuals with disabilities in physical education and sport, peer mentoring and inclusion within physical education, and the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness policy on intercollegiate athletics.
A central focus of his research and teaching is creating experiential learning opportunities in which undergraduate students participate directly in the research process, including study development, participant recruitment, data collection, analysis, and dissemination.

Bio
Aaron Thompson, EdD, is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Exercise Science at New England College whose teaching and research focus on exercise physiology, human performance, endurance sport, adapted physical activity, and the application of sport and exercise science in real-world settings.

Prior to joining New England College, Thompson served on the faculty at Keene State College, where his academic work included teaching, research, and student mentorship within Human Performance and Movement Science. His approach to teaching emphasizes experiential learning and providing students with opportunities to connect concepts learned in the classroom with practical professional experiences.

Thompson is particularly committed to mentoring undergraduate students and creating hands-on opportunities that prepare students for graduate education and careers in exercise science, physical therapy, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, coaching, and related health and human-performance professions.

Start Your Application

If you’re interested in human performance, athletic training, fitness, and helping others reach their physical potential, NEC’s Exercise Science, BA with concentration in Strength and Conditioning can help you turn that interest into a career.

Need Help?

Need Help?

Need Help?

Need Help?

Need Help?

Exercise Science with Concentration in Strength and Conditioning, BA

Request More Information

Contact Us

Contact the Science, Health, and Exercise Division

On This Page

On This Page