Exercise & Sports Science
Exercise and Sports Science Undergraduate Programs
The Bachelor of Science in ESS prepares students for careers as cardiac rehabilitation specialists, exercise testing technicians, rehabilitation therapists, fitness instructors, teachers in elementary and secondary schools (all level Pre K-12 certification), and athletic coaches. The HFM major prepares students to direct fitness, wellness or health awareness programs in commercial, corporate, and institutional settings. Areas of study include fitness programming, stress management, smoking cessation, diet and nutrition, health-risk appraisal, and employee assistance programming. The ESS curriculum also allows students to acquire the academic and clinical prerequisites needed to earn professional certifications (e.g., CHES, CES, ACSM, NCSA) and to qualify for entrance to graduate schools in the field or in allied health (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, nursing).
This degree program is designed to fully prepare students for all-level teacher certification in Physical Education as well as provide initial preparation for a potential second certification area; as such, students are required to declare and complete both a minor in Education and a second minor tied directly to an additional teaching certification area.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a major in Exercise and Sports Science program is designed to prepare graduates for study towards a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, or a similar field of study. Completion of this degree does not guarantee admission to a graduate program.
Students are prepared to direct fitness, wellness or health awareness programs in commercial, corporate, and institutional settings. This could also be an ideal option for students that have a goal of owning or managing their own exercise facility, fitness brand, or organization.
The main focus of this pre-professional program is to prepare students for entrance to a graduate-level allied health program such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic, Physician Assistant, Orthotic/Prosthetic, or Athletic Training.
3/2 Dual Degree Program BS ESS
The dual degree program (3/2) allows undergraduate exercise and sports science students to enter the Master of Science in Athletic Training program beginning during the summer of their 4th year and earn a BESS in Exercise & Sport Science and a Master of Science in Athletic Training.
Please contact the ESS undergraduate for questions:
Undergraduate Coordinator: Dr. John Walker
Undergraduate Physical Education, Teacher Education: Dr. Kent Griffin
The Department of Health and Human Performance is a member of the American Kinesiology Association
