Exercise Science, BSED

This major is a broad-based, scientific course of study in human movement. Students will be choosing one of two specializations. Students in the Exercise Programming Specialization are prepared for a variety of careers in exercise testing and prescription. The culminating experience is a 600-hour internship in private or corporate fitness centers, sports medicine clinics, allied medical and cardiac rehabilitation settings, recreation centers, and athletic or Olympic training facilities and programs. The Sports Medicine Specialization is designed to prepare students for entry into professional programs including athletic training, allied health, and medical fields. The design of the curriculum allows students take similar coursework the first three years of enrollment, allowing for the flexibility of switching from one pre-professional concentration to another. The Sports Medicine Specialization course requirements for entry into professional programs are incorporated into the plans of study, resulting in no extra coursework for our undergraduates.

Students who select to major in Exercise Science are considered “Pre-Exercise Science’ majors over the course of their first 3-4 semesters. During this time, students will need to achieve academic benchmarks in core courses that will help ensure successful completion of the major. With assistance of their faculty advisor, students will matriculate into the major following completion of their third or fourth semester.

Students must complete the following in order to matriculate into the Exercise Programming specialization:

Overall GPA of 2.75
Completed a minimum of 45 credit hours
Completed and earned a minimum of a ‘C’ or better in the following courses:

• BIOL 2050 
• BIOL 3320 
• EXSC 2100 
• EXSC 2270 
• EXSC 2300 
• EXSC 3600 

Once a student has matriculated into the Exercise Science Specialization, a grade of C or better is required for all core courses, specialization courses and electives.

Students must complete the following in order to matriculate into the Sports Medicine specialization:

Overall GPA of 2.75
Completed a minimum of 45 credit hours
Completed and earned a minimum of a ‘C’ or better in the following courses:

• BIOL 2050 
• BIOL 3310 
• BIOL 3320 
• EXSC 2100 
• EXSC 2270 
• EXSC 2300 
• EXSC 3600 

Once a student has matriculated into the Sports Medicine Specialization, a grade of C or better is required for all core courses, specialization courses and electives. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in the exercise science program are expected to:

• Discuss the interdisciplinary nature of and primary concepts in exercise science;
• Observe, analyze, and critique movement and physical activities and their outcomes, integrating the information and concepts from the subdisciplines of exercise science;
• Apply the scientific bases of the care and prevention of injuries, safety, and emergency procedures, and basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid to exercise settings;
• Demonstrate proficiency in using technology utilization and in written and oral communication;
• Explain the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle for maintaining a high level of physical well-being and personal excellence;
• Demonstrate clear, logical thinking in professional decision making.  

In addition, those students selecting the Exercise Programming Specialization complete the culminating experience of a 15 credit hour internship, and are also held responsible for these learning outcomes:

• Apply appropriate knowledge and skills to individually assess, evaluate, and intervene with muscular strength, endurance, and cardiorespiratory training, and/or physical fitness and exercise programs for normal and special populations;
• Transfer concepts from the scientific bases of exercise science (including exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning/development, and human anatomy) to practices in exercise programming;
• Relate administrative content, facilities, and equipment information to practices in exercise programming.

Sports Medicine Specialization

• Demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills to perform examinations, assessments, and diagnoses of orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries;
• Transfer concepts from the scientific bases of sports medicine to therapeutic interventions, health-related emergency situations, and clinical decision-making in the sports medicine setting.