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

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, athletic training, 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, Ethnic Studies & Social Justice, Global Diversity, and major requirements described below.

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

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: ITP 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.
- Recommended Courses: HCM 3700 - Health Disparities in the U.S. , NUT 3300 - Cultural Aspects of Nutrition , or ANT 3480 - Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness

Exercise Science Major Required Courses: 59 credits

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: 10 credits

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

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 4500 - Motor Learning and Development Credits: 3
ITP 1500 - Dynamics of Health Credits: 3
ITP 1700 - Medical Terminology Credits: 3
ITP 3450 - Dynamics of Disease Credits: 3
ITP 3700 - Physiology of Aging Credits: 3
ITP 4600 - Clinical Pathophysiology Credits: 4
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 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
SM 2050 - Introduction to Sport Management Credits: 3
SM 2730 - Sport in Society Credits: 3

Senior Experience: 10 credits

EXS 4880 - Internship in Exercise Science Credits: 10

Unrestricted Electives: 5-20 credits

The unrestricted electives may come from any department prefix.

Summary of Requirements

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

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.