2023-2024 - Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Exercise Science Department
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The Exercise Science Department at Shippensburg University develops students into the next generation of exercise scientists who understand how and why exercise is used for the prevention, management, and treatment of health problems. Exercise Science students also master strategies for improving physical fitness and maximizing performance. Our students have high acceptance rates into master’s and doctoral degree programs, including for physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, and athletic training. Exercise Science is also the ideal choice for anyone interested in careers in fitness and performance enhancement, including strength and conditioning, personal training, and group exercise.
Our department offers one major, the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Students must choose one of three concentrations within the major to specialize in: Allied Health Pre-Professional, Human Performance & Fitness, and 3+2 Pre-Athletic Training. We also offer two minors: Exercise Science Minor and Coaching Minor. Read on for more information about common career pathways, admission criteria into our programs, and coursework.
Exercise Science Career Possibilities
Traditionally, Exercise Science focused on enhancing athletic performance. The focus of Exercise Science today, however, is on improving the health, fitness, and quality of life of the general population in clinical, commercial, and workplace settings. Clinically, our students go on to work in a variety of rehabilitation or medical settings, usually after completing graduate school. Commercially, exercise scientists work to enhance fitness and performance in settings such as in gyms, community centers, schools, or sports teams. Exercise scientists are also in the workplace, coordinating employee health and wellness programs.
Employment opportunities immediately after graduating with a B.S. in Exercise Science include: personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, group exercise instructor, recreational and corporate fitness coordinator, wellness coach, sport coach, cardiac rehabilitation specialist, fitness or wellness director, and exercise physiologist.
Many students seek further education after graduating with a B.S. in Exercise Science for the following career paths: athletic trainer, biomechanist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, physician assistant, nurse, researcher, academician, orthotist and prosthetist, and chiropractor.
Exercise Science, B.S., Allied Health Pre-Professional Concentration
If you are passionate about helping people recover from injuries, improve their health and wellbeing, and use exercise as medicine, then the Allied Health Pre-Professional Concentration is the ideal choice for you. Our program will prepare you for graduate school and a rewarding career in the rehabilitative and allied health professions by helping you develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities that you will need to be successful.
Admission Requirements
High school students interested in entering the AHPP Concentration upon acceptance into Shippensburg University must meet both of the following criteria:
- Overall high school GPA of 3.40 or better
- Top 50% of graduating class
Current Shippensburg University students interested in transferring from another major (including Exploratory Studies) must meet all of the following criteria:
- Completion of at least 15 credits with a GPA of 2.50 or above
- Completion of ESC 150: Introduction to Exercise Science, with a grade of C or higher
- Completion of one of the following courses with a grade of C or higher: BIO 237 (recommended), BIO 161, or BIO 162
- Meeting with Department Chair
Current non-Ship college students interested in transferring from another university must meet all of the following criteria:
- Completion of at least 15 credits with a GPA of 2.50 or above
- Completion of one of the following courses with a grade of C or higher: Human Anatomy & Physiology I (recommended), Biology I or II, Chemistry I or II, or Physics I or II
- Meeting with Department Chair (completed after acceptance, before course registration)
Note for All Transfer Students
It is strongly recommended that students complete (or are scheduled to complete) BIO 237: Human Anatomy & Physiology I and BIO 238: Human Anatomy & Physiology II (or their equivalents at other institutions) with a grade of C or higher before transferring to Exercise Science. Both courses are necessary to progress through the major, and not having these courses already completed may delay your progress and/or your graduation semester. Please contact the Exercise Science Department with questions or to schedule a meeting with the Department Chair to discuss your options.
Allied Health Pre-Professional Concentration Coursework
All core and concentration courses must be completed with a C or higher.
Core Courses (29 credits)
- BIO 238 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II Credits: 4
- ESC 150 - Introduction to Exercise Science Credits: 3
- ESC 244 - Movement Science & Skill Analysis Credits: 3
- ESC 260 - Principles of Nutrition Credits: 3
- ESC 336 - Motor Behavior Credits: 3
- ESC 340 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries Credits: 3
- ESC 352 - Psychology of Physical Activity Credits: 3
- ESC 375 - Exercise Testing and Programming Credits: 3
- ESC 453 - Research Design and Statistics Credits: 4
Allied Health Pre-Professional Concentration Courses (25 credits)
- ESC 278 - Medical Terminology Credits: 3
- ESC 321 - Exercise Physiology I Credits: 4
- ESC 333 - Biomechanics Credits: 4
- ESC 420 - Clinical Exercise Physiology Credits: 4
- ESC 421 - Exercise Physiology II Credits: 4
- ESC 395 - Internship Credits: 1-12
- One Exercise Science Elective course (see below)
Exercise Science Elective Course Options
- ESC 207 - Stress Management Credits: 3
- ESC 213 - Organization and Administration for Fitness and Sport Facilities Credits: 3
- ESC 325 - Sport Psychology Credits: 3
- ESC 348 - Group Exercise Techniques & Leadership Credits: 3
- ESC 350 - Nutrition for Sport & Fitness Credits: 3
- ESC 360 - Sports Medicine Credits: 3
- ESC 387 - Theory and Practice of Power and Agility Training Credits: 3
- ESC 395 - Internship Credits: 1-12
- ESC 425 - Exercise Science & Weight Control Credits: 3
- ESC 452 - Psychology of Injury & Rehabilitation Credits: 3
- ESC 475 - Exercise Prescription for Special and Athletic Populations Credits: 3
General Education Program Requirements
- Quantitative (Q): MAT 117B OR MAT 117A OR MAT 217
- Diversity (D): PSY 101
- Natural World (N): BIO 237
- Natural World (N): CHM 103 OR CHM 105 OR CHM 121
- Natural World (N): PHY 110 OR PHY 121
Free Elective Courses (19-20 credits)
Free elective courses can come from any department. Additional Exercise Science courses may be taken as free electives.
Exercise Science, B.S., Human Performance & Fitness Concentration
Want to help people get and stay fit? Interested in helping athletes reach their potential? Passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle? Then the Human Performance & Fitness Concentration is the ideal choice for you. Our program will prepare you to work in the health, fitness, and athletic industries in a variety of capacities.
Admission Requirements
High school students interested in entering the HPF Concentration upon acceptance into Shippensburg University must meet the following criteria:
- University Admission Standards
Current Shippensburg University students interested in transferring from another major (including Exploratory Studies) must meet all of the following criteria:
- Completion of at least 15 credits with a GPA of 2.00 or above
- Completion of ESC 150: Introduction to Exercise Science, with a grade of C or higher
- Completion of one of the following courses with a grade of C or higher: BIO 237 (recommended), BIO 150, BIO 161, BIO 162, CHM 103, CHM 105, CHM 121, PHY 110, or PHY 121
- Meeting with Department Chair
Current non-Ship college students interested in transferring from another university must meet all of the following criteria:
- Completion of at least 15 credits with a GPA of 2.00 or above
- Completion of one of the following courses with a grade of C or higher: Human Anatomy & Physiology I (recommended), Biology I or II, Chemistry I or II, or Physics I or II
- Meeting with Department Chair (completed after acceptance, before course registration)
Note for All Transfer Students
It is strongly recommended that students complete (or are scheduled to complete) BIO 237: Human Anatomy & Physiology I and BIO 238: Human Anatomy & Physiology II (or their equivalents at other institutions) with a grade of C or higher before transferring to Exercise Science. Both courses are necessary to progress through the major, and not having these courses already completed may delay your progress and/or your graduation semester. Please contact the Exercise Science Department with questions or to schedule a meeting with the Department Chair to discuss your options.
Human Performance & Fitness Concentration Coursework
All core and concentration courses must be completed with a C or higher
Core Courses (29 credits)
- BIO 238 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II Credits: 4
- ESC 150 - Introduction to Exercise Science Credits: 3
- ESC 244 - Movement Science & Skill Analysis Credits: 3
- ESC 260 - Principles of Nutrition Credits: 3
- ESC 336 - Motor Behavior Credits: 3
- ESC 340 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries Credits: 3
- ESC 352 - Psychology of Physical Activity Credits: 3
- ESC 375 - Exercise Testing and Programming Credits: 3
- ESC 453 - Research Design and Statistics Credits: 4
Human Performance & Fitness Concentration Courses (25 credits)
- ESC 343 - Foundations of Exercise Physiology Credits: 4
- ESC 348 - Group Exercise Techniques & Leadership Credits: 3
- ESC 350 - Nutrition for Sport & Fitness Credits: 3
- ESC 387 - Theory and Practice of Power and Agility Training Credits: 3
- ESC 475 - Exercise Prescription for Special and Athletic Populations Credits: 3
- ESC 495 - Internship Credits: 3-12
- Two Exercise Science Elective courses (see below)
Exercise Science Elective Course Options
- ESC 207 - Stress Management Credits: 3
- ESC 213 - Organization and Administration for Fitness and Sport Facilities Credits: 3
- ESC 278 - Medical Terminology Credits: 3
- ESC 325 - Sport Psychology Credits: 3
- ESC 333 - Biomechanics Credits: 4
- ESC 360 - Sports Medicine Credits: 3
- ESC 425 - Exercise Science & Weight Control Credits: 3
- ESC 452 - Psychology of Injury & Rehabilitation Credits: 3
- ESC 495 - Internship Credits: 3-12
Free Elective Courses (19-20 credits)
Free elective courses can come from any department. Additional Exercise Science courses may be taken as free electives.
General Education Program Requirements
- Quantitative (Q): MAT 117B OR MAT 117A OR MAT 217
- Diversity (D): PSY 101
- Natural World (N): BIO 237
- Natural World (N): CHM 103 OR CHM 105 OR CHM 121
- Natural World (N): PHY 110 OR PHY 121
Exercise Science, B.S., Pre-Athletic Training Concentration
Athletic Trainers work with athletes on injury prevention, management, and recovery. They are often the first professionals onto the field when an athlete is injured, providing immediate care. If you know this is the career for you, then the Pre-Athletic Training Concentration is the program for you. This is an accelerated 3+2 program, which means you will complete your first three years at Shippensburg University and then go to either Jefferson University or Lock Haven University to complete your final two years. When all is said and done, you will have both a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Master’s Degree in Athletic Training in only 5 years instead of the usual 6, getting you to your career faster.
Admission Requirements
High school students interested in entering the PAT Concentration upon acceptance into Shippensburg University must meet both of the following criteria:
- Overall high school GPA of 3.40 or better
- Top 50% of graduating class
Current Shippensburg University students interested in transferring from another major (including Exploratory Studies) must meet all of the following criteria:
- Completion of at least 15 credits with a GPA of 2.50 or above
- Completion of ESC 150: Introduction to Exercise Science with a grade of C or higher
- Completion of one of the following courses with a grade of C or higher: BIO 237 (recommended), BIO 161, or BIO 162
- Meeting with Department Chair
Current non-Ship college students interested in transferring from another university must meet all of the following criteria:
- Completion of at least 15 credits with a GPA of 2.50 or above
- Completion of one of the following courses with a grade of C or higher: Human Anatomy & Physiology I (recommended), Biology I or II, Chemistry I or II, or Physics I or II
- Meeting with Department Chair (completed after acceptance, before course registration)
Note for All Transfer Students
It is strongly recommended that students complete (or are scheduled to complete) BIO 237: Human Anatomy & Physiology I and BIO 238: Human Anatomy & Physiology II (or their equivalents at other institutions) with a grade of C or higher before transferring to Exercise Science. Both courses are necessary to progress through the major, and not having these courses already completed may delay your progress and/or your graduation semester. Please contact the Exercise Science Department with questions or to schedule a meeting with the Department Chair to discuss your options.
Pre-Athletic Training Concentration Coursework
All core and concentration courses must be completed with a C or higher.
Core Courses (29 credits)
- BIO 238 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II Credits: 4
- ESC 150 - Introduction to Exercise Science Credits: 3
- ESC 244 - Movement Science & Skill Analysis Credits: 3
- ESC 260 - Principles of Nutrition Credits: 3
- ESC 336 - Motor Behavior Credits: 3
- ESC 340 - Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries Credits: 3
- ESC 352 - Psychology of Physical Activity Credits: 3
- ESC 375 - Exercise Testing and Programming Credits: 3
- ESC 453 - Research Design and Statistics Credits: 4
Pre-Athletic Training Concentration Courses (25 credits)
- ESC 278 - Medical Terminology Credits: 3
- ESC 333 - Biomechanics Credits: 4
- ESC 343 - Foundations of Exercise Physiology Credits: 4
- Electives: 10 credits (see below)
Elective Course Options
- BIO 161 - Principles of Biology: Cell Structure and Function Credits: 4
- BIO 162 - Principles of Biology: Organismal Diversity Credits: 4
- CHM 125 - Laboratory IB-Stoichiometry and Reactions Credits: 1
- ESC 200 - Lifestyle Management Credits: 3
- HCS 225 - Communication and Sport Credits: 3
- ESC 325 - Sport Psychology Credits: 3
- ESC 348 - Group Exercise Techniques & Leadership Credits: 3
- ESC 350 - Nutrition for Sport & Fitness Credits: 3
- ESC 360 - Sports Medicine Credits: 3
- ESC 387 - Theory and Practice of Power and Agility Training Credits: 3
- ESC 395 - Internship Credits: 1-12
- ESC 420 - Clinical Exercise Physiology Credits: 4
- ESC 425 - Exercise Science & Weight Control Credits: 3
- ESC 452 - Psychology of Injury & Rehabilitation Credits: 3
- ESC 475 - Exercise Prescription for Special and Athletic Populations Credits: 3
- MAT 175 - Precalculus Credits: 3
- PHY 123 - Physics Ia Laboratory Credits: 1
General Education Program Requirements
- Quantitative (Q): MAT 117B OR MAT 117A OR MAT 217
- Diversity (D): PSY 101
- Natural World (N): BIO 237
- Natural World (N): CHM 103 OR CHM 105 OR CHM 121
- Natural World (N): PHY 110 OR PHY 121
ProgramsMajorMinorCoursesExercise Science
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