Exercise Science Programs
The Exercise Science Department offers several undergraduate programs. Its mission is to foster professional preparation of students by incorporating theory, applied experiences, and research-based opportunities for scientific inquiry. As such, our overall department goals are for students to:
- Experience scientific data acquisition and analysis through laboratory and/or research-based experiences.
- Participate in professional growth and community support through conference attendance and/or volunteer activities.
- Develop lifelong behaviors that exemplify personal and social responsibility for their own health and well-being by offering courses in Lifestyle Management and Stress Management.
Majors
- Exercise Science with Allied Health Pre-professional Concentration, B.S.
- Exercise Science with Human Performance and Fitness Concentration, B.S.
- Exercise Science with Pre-Athletic Training Concentration, B.S.
Minors
Certificate
Exercise Science Major
The Exercise Science Major explores the various sub-disciplines of Exercise Science in detail, including exercise physiology, exercise programming, motor behavior, exercise psychology, nutrition, research methodology, and more. Exercise Scientists rely on scientific knowledge in these areas to advance the understanding of how the body responds to physical activity – physically, physiologically, and psychologically – to improve wellness, performance, and quality and life. To better prepare students for their lives after graduation, we offer two different concentrations:
- Exercise Science, Allied Health Pre-Professional Concentration, B.S. - The Allied Health Pre-Professional Concentration is ideal for those students interested in careers that will take them into rehabilitative or medical settings. This concentration will give students a deep and thorough understanding of exercise physiology, biomechanics, and how to work with clinical populations, such as patients with cardiovascular issues, obesity, or injuries.
- Exercise Science, Human Performance and Fitness, B.S. - The Human Performance and Fitness Concentration is ideal for students interested in careers in the fitness, health, and human services industries. This concentration will provide students with the tools to be successful entering the workforce and working with various populations immediately after graduation.
- Exercise Science with Pre-Athletic Training Concentration, B.S. - The Pre-Athletic Training Concentration is designed as a 3+2 program, meaning that students are able to earn a Master's Degree in Athletic Training and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in only 5 years. The first 3 years are completed at Ship (for the B.S. in Exercise Science), while the final 2 years are completed at an affiliated university (for the M.S. in Athletic Training). Currently, we are affiliated with the following universities:
- Lock Haven University
- Jefferson University
The primary goal of the Exercise Science Major is to prepare students to become a competent worker in fitness environments that service public and private fitness centers, corporate health and wellness facilities, recreation centers, and/or clinical rehabilitation centers. We also prepare our students for internship experiences that provide opportunities to apply knowledge learned in the classroom and engage with professionals in students’ desired field of work.
Upon successful completion of the Exercise Science Major, students will be able to:
- Pre-screen, stratify, and assess selected populations for activity and/or exercise readiness.
- Provide activity and/or exercise programming based on the pre-screening and fitness testing outcomes.
- Apply cognitive information in a variety of laboratory experiences.
- Participate in applied capstone internship experiences.
- Review and critically evaluate current research topics and trends in exercise science.
- Conduct, interpret, and summarize scientific data related to exercise science.
- Participate in professional growth and community support through conference attendance and volunteer activities.
Coaching Minor
The Coaching Minor prepares students on the mechanical, physiological, and psychological aspects of effective and ethical coaching. This is ideal for students who are interested in working in organized sport environments at all levels of competition and with athletes of all ages.
The primary goal of the Coaching Minor is to develop students into competent coaches at any level of competition, including at the youth, interscholastic, and intercollegiate levels. We also prepare our students for field experiences that provide opportunities to apply knowledge learned in the classroom and engage with athletes, coaches, and teams.
Upon successful completion of the Coaching Minor, students will be able to:
- Acquire professional knowledge through a sport-based curriculum that focuses on kinesiology, physiology, psychology, and coaching methodology.
- Develop, articulate, and apply a coaching philosophy, management approach, and leadership style as a practicum experience in a chosen sport.
- Review and critically evaluate current research topics and trends in sport and coaching.
Exercise Science Minor
The Exercise Science Minor provides students with a broad overview of the sub-disciplines in the field. This is ideal for students who are interested in broadening their experience and knowledge base of principles related to human movement and physical activity. The minor also complements students in other majors desiring to enter graduate programs in an allied health professional field.
The primary goal of the Exercise Science Minor is to prepare students with the basic knowledge and skills of exercise science. This preparation should be particularly useful for individuals seeking advanced education in an allied health profession.
Upon successful completion of the Exercise Science Minor, students will be able to:
- Provide activity and/or exercise programming based on the pre-screening and fitness testing outcomes.
- Apply cognitive information in a variety of laboratory experiences.
- Review and critically evaluate current research topics and trends in exercise science.
Power, Agility, & Group Exercise (PAGE) Certificate
The PAGE Certificate allows students to specialize in areas relevant for enhancing personal fitness: power training, agility training, and running group exercise classes. This is ideal for students who plan to become personal trainers or strength and conditioning coaches, or for current professionals looking to expand their knowledge and skillset.
The primary goal of the PAGE Certificate is to provide students the opportunity to learn applied skills that will prepare them to instruct in the areas of group exercise, and power and agility training.
Upon successful completion of the PAGE Certificate, students will be able to:
- Design short-term and long-term training programs based on current scientific guidelines.
- Demonstrate competence in and correct errors in power training and agility training techniques.
- Understand the principles of group exercise instruction to provide safe and effective group exercise leadership.
- Program group exercise activities for cardiorespiratory, muscular, and flexibility training.