Exercise Science Major, B.S.

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Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences

College of Health and Human Sciences

Available Program Format(s): In-Person

About the Program

The mission of the Exercise Science (EXS) program at Metropolitan State University of Denver is to prepare competent entry-level Exercise Science professionals in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Additionally, we prepare undergraduate students for placement in entry level positions in the field of exercise science, allied health, wellness, and sport performance or for entry into post-graduate education programs. Through the major, students develop expertise in the role exercise plays for improving human performance, health, and quality of life across the lifespan.

The MSU Denver Exercise Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP/caahep.org).

Program Goals

Provide students with the foundation in health appraisal, fitness and exercise testing with the opportunity to integrate this knowledge into practice for apparently healthy adults and special populations.
Provide a contemporary offering of courses that reflects the breadth and depth of current issues in the field of exercise physiology and related exercise sciences.
Provide students with the foundation in exercise prescription, exercise programming and exercise leadership with the opportunity to integrate this knowledge into practice.
Provide students with the knowledge to develop safe and effective policies, procedures and guidelines for exercise programming using nationally recognized standards.

General Degree Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

Program Requirements

Students who 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
  2. National Strength and Conditioning Associations - Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. The ES curriculum is designed to prepare students for those certifications.
A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
A grade of “C” (73%) or better is required for all major courses and any associated prerequisite courses to count toward the Bachelors of Science degree in Exercise Science. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.
Students must have at least a major GPA of 2.75 and completed all Exercise Science major courses to be eligible for an internship.
Students may opt to declare a minor as part of their program.
Students may opt to complete the concentration in Strength and Conditioning.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits

Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.

Written Communication (6 credits)
Oral Communication (3 credits)
Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
Historical (3 credits)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
- Recommended: Students may fulfill this requirement by taking courses that required for the major such as: BIO 1080 - General Biology I / BIO 1090 - General Biology Laboratory I , and NUT 2040 - Introduction to Nutrition .
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
- Recommended: PUB 1500 - Dynamics of Health , NUT 3101 - Body Image: Concepts and Approaches , NUT 3350 - Global Nutrition and Health , SM 2730 - Sport in Society
Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits)**

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.
Many programs include courses that meet this requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement.

Exercise Science Major Required Courses: 59 credits

Important Note: Students who opt to complete the optional concentration in Strength and Conditioning must select EXS 4650 - Exercise Electrocardiography for their major course.

Students must take one of the following courses:
EXS 4650 - Exercise Electrocardiography Credits: 3
or
EXS 4772 - Advanced Strength and Conditioning Credits: 3
Students must take each of the following:
BIO 1080 - General Biology I Credits: 3
BIO 1090 - General Biology Laboratory I Credits: 1
BIO 2310 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
BIO 2320 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
ESS 1623 - Introductory Sports Medicine Concepts Credits: 3
ESS 3110 - Medical Topics and Injury/Illness Pathophysiology for Exercise Science Credits: 3
ESS 3300 - Anatomical Kinesiology Credits: 3
ESS 3340 - Physiology of Exercise Credits: 4
ESS 4660 - Legal Liability for Physical Educators, Coaches and Administrators Credits: 3
EXS 1020 - Resistance Training Techniques Credits: 3
EXS 1640 - Physical Fitness Techniques and Programs Credits: 3
EXS 2680 - Group Exercise Leadership Credits: 3
EXS 3841 - Comparative Fitness Programs Credits: 3
EXS 4680 - Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription Credits: 4
EXS 4780 - Community Fitness Testing and Program Planning Credits: 3
EXS 4790 - Special Considerations for Exercise Assessment and Prescription Credits: 3
NUT 2040 - Introduction to Nutrition Credits: 3
NUT 3200 - Nutrition and Sports Performance Credits: 3

Major Electives: 0-10 credits

Students must take 0-10 credit hours from the following list of courses.

Note: Students choosing to complete the optional Strength and Conditioning concentration may count ESS 3220 , ESS 3980 , ESS 4000 , and EXS 4800 as major electives.

ESS 1440 - Stress Management Techniques Credits: 3
ESS 2021 - Physical Literacy and Society Credits: 3
ESS 2060 - Emergency Rescue/First Responder & CPR Credits: 3
ESS 3220 - Behavioral Aspects of Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sport Credits: 3
ESS 3250 - Fitness and Exercise Coaching Credits: 3
ESS 3980 - Internship in Human Performance and Sport Credits: 1-15
ESS 4000 - Fundamental Rehabilitation and Reconditioning Techniques Credits: 3
ESS 4500 - Motor Learning and Development Credits: 3
EXS 4800 - Biomechanics of Human Movement Credits: 3
PUB 1500 - Dynamics of Health Credits: 3
PUB 3700 - Physiology of Aging Credits: 3
NUT 3040 - Nutrition Concepts and Controversies Credits: 3
NUT 3050 - Concepts of Lifecycle Nutrition Credits: 3
NUT 3300 - Cultural Aspects of Nutrition Credits: 3
NUT 3350 - Global Nutrition and Health Credits: 3
PSY 1001 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 2150 - Positive Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 2210 - Psychology of Human Development Credits: 3
PSY 2270 - Death, Dying, and Grieving Credits: 3
PSY 2410 - Social Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 3270 - Adulthood and Aging Credits: 3
PSY 3410 - Health Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 3620 - Psychological Disorders: Perspectives, Symptoms, and Treatment Credits: 3
PUB 1700 - Medical Terminology Credits: 3
PUB 3450 - Dynamics of Disease Credits: 3
PUB 4600 - Clinical Pathophysiology Credits: 4
SM 2050 - Introduction to Sport Management Credits: 3
SM 2730 - Sport in Society Credits: 3

Optional Strength and Conditioning Concentration: 15 credits

The Exercise Science major with a concentration in Strength and Conditioning will prepare students to take the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) examination. The CSCS is a nationally recognized certification in the strength and conditioning profession and a requirement for many jobs in the area of sport performance. Completion of this program (along with preparation for the CSCS examination) will provide students with the necessary knowledge and experience in the area of private, collegiate, and professional strength and conditioning/sport performance. Students are required to complete the following courses to fulfill the requirements of this concentration.

ESS 3220 - Behavioral Aspects of Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sport Credits: 3
ESS 3980 - Internship in Human Performance and Sport Credits: 1-15
ESS 4000 - Fundamental Rehabilitation and Reconditioning Techniques Credits: 3
EXS 4772 - Advanced Strength and Conditioning Credits: 3
EXS 4800 - Biomechanics of Human Movement Credits: 3

Senior Experience: 7 or 10 credits

Students earning the optional Strength and Conditioning concentration are eligible to take the 7 credit hour option.

EXS 4880 - Internship in Exercise Science Credits: 10 or 7

Unrestricted Electives: 5-20 credits

The unrestricted electives may come from any department prefix.

Summary of Requirements

Without Optional Concentration

General Studies Requirements	33 credits
ESSJ Requirement	0-3 credits
Required Courses	59 credits
Major Electives	10 credits
Senior Experience	10 credits
Unrestricted Electives	5-20 credits
Total for the Exercise Science Major, B.S.	120 credits

With Optional Concentration

General Studies Requirements	33 credits
ESSJ Requirement	0-3 credits
Required Courses	59 credits
Strength and Conditioning Concentration	15 credits
Major Electives	0 credits (counted in concentration)
Senior Experience	7 credits
Unrestricted Electives	3-15 credits
Total for the Exercise Science Major, B.S.	120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.