Exercise Science Department

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 three minors: Exercise Science Minor, Coaching Minor, and Sport Psychology 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 Admission Requirements

High school students interested in entering Exercise Science upon acceptance into Shippensburg University must meet the following criteria:

AHPP and Pre-AT Concentrations: Overall high school GPA of 3.40 or better and Top 50% of graduating class
HPF Concentration: 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 (HPF Concentration) or 2.50 or above (AHPP and Pre-AT Concentrations)
Completion of EXER 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: BIOL 237 (recommended), BIOL 150, BIOL 161, or BIOL 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 2.00 or above (HPF Concentration) or 2.50 or above (AHPP and Pre-AT Concentrations)
Completion of one of the following courses with a grade of C or higher: Human Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab (recommended), Biology I, or Biology II
Meeting with Department Chair (completed after confirmation of attendance)

Note for All Transfer Students

It is strongly recommended that students complete (or are scheduled to complete) BIOL 237: Human Anatomy & Physiology I and BIOL 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 and to schedule a meeting with the Department Chair to discuss your options.

Programs

Major

Minor

Courses

Exercise Science