Return to: Samson College of Health Sciences

Mission

The mission of the bachelor of science in exercise physiology is to provide a foundation for students who want to learn about fitness, health, sports, recreation program management, exercise, and health and wellness promotion.

Vision

The vision is to prepare students to work in the fitness and health industry, helping individuals to use exercise, diet, and activities to create wellness and balance in living. 

Goals

The exercise physiology program combines a strong foundation in the natural and social sciences with concentrated studies in how physical activity programs and wellness can improve health and well-being in a variety of individual lives. The program goals are to prepare graduates who can: 

• Demonstrate knowledge of the sport, fitness, and recreation management fields.
• Apply knowledge and skills to real-life wellness, sport, wellness, fitness, and recreation programs.
• Communicate in a professional manner, using written, oral, and electronic methods.
• Demonstrate planning and organizational skills. 
• Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the humanistic and ethical aspects of fitness, wellness, and health service delivery.

Students who satisfy all curriculum requirements will earn a bachelor of science with a major in exercise science and wellness management. Exercise science and wellness management students must complete 124 credits for their degree. The curriculum includes an opportunity for independent work under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students in other majors may minor in exercise science and wellness management if they meet USciences criteria for a 19-credit minor.

Overview of Major

The demand for exercise science and wellness management majors is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2018, as individuals recognize the value of fitness, wellness, recreation, and leisure services. Demand will also increase because of attrition and retirement of present workers. As more employers recognize the benefits of fitness and wellness programs, they will demand more fitness and health managers to design and manage programs for their workers (www.bls.gov).

You will be prepared to pursue employment in positions such as:

• Medical fitness
• Corporate wellness
• Team marketing or management
• Activities, sport, and recreation director
• Fitness trainer or director
• Strength and conditioning coach
• Sport or recreation coach
• Health educator
• Health-related product sales
• Sport equipment sales

The program also serves as a preparation for further studies in a wide range of graduate educational curricula, including USciences’ MS and PhD in health policy, MS in biomedical writing, DrOT, DPT, and MBA in pharmaceutical business programs.

Program Objectives:

• Knowledge of field: 
  • Describe structure and function of the body.
  • Understand the multidimensional nature of wellness, including physical, social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, career, and community aspects of wellness.
  • Design programs that help individuals prevent illness and injury and maintain their health.
  • Design programs that promote health and active living.
• Communication: 
  • Communicate in a professional manner, using written, oral, and electronic methods.
• Planning and learning: 
  • Use information technology to seek information and skills.
  • Utilize effective planning and organizational skills. 
• Human dimension:
  • Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the humanistic and ethical aspects of fitness and health service delivery.
  • Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of ‘soft skills’ such as building rapport, expressing empathy, motivating others, and building individual and community engagement.
• Application of knowledge and skills:
  • Select a target area or project and design appropriate services for the population and a strategy for marketing and funding the program. 

Program Description

The exercise physiology major is a unique combination of fitness, health, and management courses. Learning will begin with a foundation in science and a consideration of how the body works. Wellness is emphasized rather than illness and pathology. An internship experience facilitates the integration of all program requirements. The program prepares students for a career in a variety of health and fitness settings. For specialized and advanced practice areas, students can seek additional certifications under the supervision of their advisor and instructors.