Why Exercise Science at Shippensburg University?

Choosing where to go to college and which major to study in are big, life-changing decisions. A great deal of thought and research should inform your choices. So to help you make your decisions, we've listed out all the reasons why the Exercise Science Department at Shippensburg University has been successful at training the next generation of allied health and fitness professionals. Many of these points set us apart from other universities, meaning you will have opportunities at Ship that you cannot find anywhere else!

Post-College Success

Program gears students for work in the fitness industry or for further study to work in clinical and rehabilitation settings
69% of students seek further education from graduate school or other advanced training, while the rest start their career after college*
89% of our students who apply to graduate school are accepted, including in areas such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, and more*
Exercise Science is the number one major accepted into doctoral programs for Physical Therapists and one of the top majors accepted into master's programs for Physician Assistants
Students are prepared to take industry-leading certification exams offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Students have success at finding employment in the field after graduation where they can use the knowledge and skills they learned from their courses
Practical, hands-on learning through labs and other activities prepare students for real-world situations
90% of our alumni who are currently in or have completed graduate school agreed that Shippensburg University prepared them for advanced studies*
Our program is well-known and respected in the region

Coursework

Three concentrations allows students to choose the path that best matches their goals
Small classes of about 20 students mean more one-on-one interactions with professors and instructors
Our program is accredited by CAAHEP, which ensures that we are meeting rigorous standards for the preparation of our students.
The Metabolic Analysis Lab and Movement Science Lab have modern equipment and instruments for testing many variables, including gait, glucose, power, strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance
Course content covers a variety of areas, including physiology, biomechanics, motor learning, psychology, fitness and skill training, and working with clinical populations
Students gain experience conducting fitness assessments and developing exercise protocols for many different populations
Minors can be used to round out your education, with popular choices being Coaching, Business, Psychology, Gerontology, Disability Studies, and Biology

Faculty

Students know their professors and form strong working relationships with them
All major courses are taught by passionate, engaged, and experienced faculty
Faculty have published over 25 peer-reviewed articles and given over 60 presentations since 2015
Exercise Science Department faculty and staff create a positive environment to learn and work in

Research

All students conduct and present research in class, with opportunities to present their work at campus and regional conferences
Each year students attend and present at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (MARC-ACSM) Conference; Students can also attend the American Society of Biomechanics - East Coast Meeting (ASB-E) and the Northeast Atlantic Sport Psychology Conference (NASP)
Our students have received over $15,000 to fund research and conference travel since 2015
Students may also work with faculty on research projects outside of class

Internships

Students must complete a career-relevant internship to gain real-world experience
Students have completed internships at over 140 sites since 2015
97% of internship site supervisors want to host our students again**
95% of internship site supervisors agreed that our students were professional, reliable, and dependable**
Coaching Minor students have completed field experiences at over 50 sites since 2015

Advising & Mentorship

Students receive strong mentorship and one-on-one advising from faculty, with all students meeting their advisor at least once per semester
Faculty advise students on course scheduling, career and graduate school planning, internship experiences, academic issues, and professional development
The Peer Undergraduate Mentoring Program connects incoming students with junior and senior Exercise Science students
Student-athletes have nominated all 4 full-time faculty members for Academic Mentorship Awards

Scholarship

Students gave over 100 presentations at local and regional conferences since 2015
Several students have published their research papers in the Keystone Journal of Undergraduate Research
Nine student papers have been accepted into Write the Ship since 2015

Professional Development & Service Learning

The student-run Exercise Science Club offers over a dozen opportunities for community service, social networking, and professional development each year
High-achieving students may join the student-run Exercise Science Honor Society, which also provides opportunities for community service, social networking, and professional development
First-year experience course helps students transition into college and sets them up for success in the program
Students become CPR, AED, and First Aid certified through the National Safety Council

So Why Exercise Science?

In short, because the Exercise Science Department offers students a well-rounded education with plenty of opportunities for real-world learning, professional development, applied experiences, and scholarship. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email us at exsci@ship.edu or give us a call at 717.477.1721. And if we already convinced you, check out our admission requirements and apply today!

*based on surveys of over 120 alumni in 2017

**based on surveys of over 60 internship site supervisors from 2016 and 2017