Exercise Science Major, B.S.

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Exercise Science Major

This major is designed for students interested in the fitness and exercise science professions. Examples of professions in the fitness and exercise science field include: cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, physical medicine clinics, research, public and private industry wellness programs, worksite health promotion, recreation center wellness, strength and conditioning, and personal training for general and special populations.

Students who are interested in careers in exercise physiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or as a physician’s assistant will find that the exercise science curriculum provides a solid academic foundation and includes many required prerequisites for those programs.

Exercise Science students must satisfy the General Studies, Multicultural, Global Diversity, and major requirements described below. A grade of “C” or better is required for all major courses and any associated prerequisite courses to count toward the Bachelors of Science degree in Exercise Science.

General Studies

Written Communication: 6 credits

See the General Studies section of this catalog for approved courses.

Oral Communication: 3 credits

See the General Studies section of this catalog for approved courses.

Quantitative Literacy: 3 credits

See the General Studies section of this catalog for approved courses.

Arts and Humanities: 6 credits

See the General Studies section of this catalog for approved courses.**

Historical: 3 credits

See the General Studies section of this catalog for approved courses.

Natural and Physical Sciences: 8 credits

BIO 1080 - General Biology I Credits: 3
BIO 1090 - General Biology Laboratory I Credits: 1
BIO 2310 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4 *
* prerequisite for HPS 3300

Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 credits

PSY 1001 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3
See the General Studies section of this catalog for an approved course.

Social and Behavioral Sciences II: 3 credits

PSY 1001 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3

Global Diversity: 0 or 3 credits

See the General Studies section of this catalog for approved courses.*

*Students may satisfy the Global Diversity requirement by completing any course designated as Global Diversity within one of the Arts and Humanities, Historical, Natural and Physical Sciences, or Social and Behavioral Sciences General Studies course categories. Students may also use an unrestricted elective to satisfy this requirement. (See General Studies Requirements)

General Studies Total: minimum of 35-38 credits

Multicultural: 3 credits

See the Multicultural section of this catalog for approved courses.**

**Students must fulfill the Multicultural Requirement by completing any course designated as Multicultural within one of the Arts and Humanities, Historical, or Social and Behavioral Sciences General Studies course categories. Students may also use an unrestricted elective to satisfy this requirement. (See General Studies Requirements)

Theory and Application Courses

Students must choose one course from the following:

EXS 2890 - Personal Training Concepts and Application Credits: 3
EXS 4650 - Exercise Electrocardiography Credits: 3 *
EXS 4772 - Advanced Strength and Conditioning Credits: 3 *
HPS 1440 - Stress Management Techniques Credits: 3
Students must take each of the following:
BIO 2320 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4 *
ATP 1623 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries Credits: 3
EXS 1020 - Resistance Training Techniques Credits: 3
EXS 1640 - Physical Fitness Techniques and Programs Credits: 3
EXS 3780 - Fitness Programs for Special Populations Credits: 2 *
EXS 3790 - Fitness Programming for Children, Adolescents, and Older Adults Credits: 3 *
EXS 3841 - Comparative Fitness Programs Credits: 2 *
EXS 4680 - Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription Credits: 4 *
EXS 4780 - Community Fitness Testing and Program Planning Credits: 3 *
EXS 4880 - Internship in Exercise Science Credits: 10 *
HPS 3300 - Anatomical Kinesiology Credits: 3 *
HPS 3340 - Physiology of Exercise Credits: 4 *
HPS 4660 - Legal Liability for Physical Educators, Coaches and Administrators Credits: 3 *
NUT 2040 - Introduction to Nutrition Credits: 3
*Please see course description for required prerequisite courses.

Total: 53 credits

Minor

Students are required to complete a minor approved by an Exercise Science program advisor.

Total: 18 credits minimum

Suggested Electives

HPS 2060 - Emergency Rescue/First Responder & CPR Credits: 3

See advisor for additional approved electives Credits: 9

Total: 11 credits

Summary of minimum required Credits for the Exercise Science major

General Studies Requirement	35 credits
Multicultural Requirement*	3 credits
Global Diversity Requirement**	0-3 credits
Exercise Science Courses	53 credits
Approved Minor	minimum of 18 credits
Suggested Electives	11 credits
Total for Exercise Science degree program	120 credits

Notes:

Students must have at least a major GPA of 2.75 and completed all Exercise Science major courses to be eligible for an internship.

The department recommends that students take HPS 2060 - Emergency Rescue/First Responder & CPR or be able to verify an equivalent certification.

Students that are pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science (ES) are encouraged to complete a professional certification prior to graduation. The certification must come from an NCCA Accredited certifying body and be complimentary to the students career goals. Two suggested certifications are: 1) American College of Sports Medicine - Certified Exercise Physiologist and 2) National Strength and Conditioning Associations - Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. The ES curriculum is designed to prepare students for those certifications.