Program Overview
Strength and Conditioning, B.S.
The Strength and Conditioning program at Marshall University is a multidisciplinary field of study that involves the active human body in the areas of anatomy, physiology, metabolism, and kinetics. Strength and Conditioning professionals work to understand the effects of exercise for fitness programming and outcomes across the general population's lifespan, as well as sports performance training principles for athletes of all levels.
Overview
Exercise Science Professionals will serve in various settings, including collegiate and professional sports teams, athletic performance centers, fitness and wellness centers, hospital fitness and clinical rehabilitation centers, university/industry research laboratories, weight control programs, and fitness and sales industries. Students enrolled in Marshall University's Strength and Conditioning program obtain hands-on experiences with health, fitness, and sport assessments and testing within the state-of-the-art Exercise Physiology Laboratories (MUEPL). Internship or Graduate Assistant opportunities involve working with community members in the Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Exercise Center (MU Clinical Exercise Lab (MUCEL) or with general populations and athletes in the Human Performance Lab (MUEPL).
Admission Requirements
Admission to Marshall University with Strength and Conditioning selected as the major is required.
Graduation Requirements
A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and a minimum grade of C in Major coursework are required for graduation.
Course Requirements
- General Education Course
- Milestone course: a key success marker for the major
Core Curriculum
The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors.
- Core 1: Critical Thinking
- FYS 100: First Yr Sem Critical Thinking (3 credits)
- Core 2
- ENG 101: Beginning Composition (3 credits)
- ENG 201: Advanced Composition (3 credits)
- CMM 103: Fund Speech-Communication (3 credits)
- Math Requirement
- Phys/Natural Science
- Humanities
- Social Science
- Fine Arts
Major Course Requirements
- BSC 227: Human Anatomy (3 credits)
- BSC 227L: Human Anatomy Lab (1 credit)
- BSC 228: Human Physiology (3 credits)
- BSC 228L: Human Physiology Lab (1 credit)
- CHM 100 or 200 level with lab (3-5 credits)
- DTS 210: Nutrition (3 credits)
- ESS 215: Intro to Exercise Science (3 credits)
- ESS 345: Exercise Physiology (3 credits)
- ESS 375: Fitness Assess & Exerc Prescr (3 credits)
- ESS 442: Princ of Strength & Cond (3 credits)
- ESS 443: Prin of Strength Cond Lab (1 credit)
- ESS 450: Drug and Sport (3 credits)
- ESS 478: Energy Sources Body Comp (3 credits)
- ESS 491: Internship Exercise Science (6 credits)
- ESS 492: Strength & Condit Clin Fld Exp (3 credits)
- HS 200: Comp Medical Terminology (CT) (3 credits)
- HS 222: Hlth Prov First Aid/CPR/AED (3 credits)
- HS 365: Functional Kinesiology (3 credits)
- HS 365L: Functional Kinesiology Lab (1 credit)
- HS 369: Motor Learning (3 credits)
- HS 405: Sport Psychology (3 credits) or PSY 405: Sport Psychology
- HS 410: Organ Admin in Kines (3 credits)
- HS 465: Biomechanical Analy of Mvmt (3 credits)
- PHY 101, PHY 101L or 200 level with lab (4 credits)
- PSY 201: Introductory Psychology (CT) (3 credits)
- PSY 223: Elem Behavioral Stat (3 credits)
- PSY 440: Physiological Psychology (3 credits)
Semester Plan
The semester plan outlines the courses to be taken each semester to complete the degree in four years.
Areas of Emphasis
The Strength and Conditioning program offers several areas of emphasis, including:
- Pre-Med, Emphasis (Strength and Conditioning)
- Pre-Physical Therapy, Emphasis (Strength and Conditioning)
- Pre-Physician Assistant, Emphasis (Strength and Conditioning)
Pre-Med, Emphasis (Strength and Conditioning)
The Pre-Med area of emphasis is designed for students wishing to apply for professional physical therapy programs. Adding this area of emphasis may require students to take beyond 15 hours per semester or to take summer classes in order to complete their degree program in four years.
Course Requirements
- General Education Course
- Milestone course: a key success marker for the major
Math Requirements for Physics
- Select from the following:
- MTH 127 & MTH 122: College Algebra-Expanded and Plane Trigonometry
- MTH 130 & MTH 122: College Algebra and Plane Trigonometry
- MTH 132: Precalculus with Sci Applica
Additional Course Requirements
- PHY 201: College Physics I (3 credits)
- PHY 202: General Physics I Laboratory (1 credit)
- PHY 203: College Physics II (3 credits)
- PHY 204: General Physics 2 Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHM 211: Principles of Chemistry I (2 credits)
- CHM 217: Principles of Chem Lab I (2 credits)
- CHM 212: Principles Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 218: Principles of Chem Lab II (2 credits)
- CHM 355: Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
- CHM 356: Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 361: Intro Organic Chm Lab (3 credits)
- CHM 365: Introductory Biochemistry (3 credits)
- BSC 120: Principles of Biology I (3 credits)
- BSC 120L: Principles of Biology I Lab (1 credit)
- BSC 121: Principles of Biology II (3 credits)
- BSC 121L: Prin of Biology II Lab (1 credit)
- PSY 311: Child Development (3 credits)
- PSY 312: Adult Development (3 credits)
Semester Plan
The semester plan outlines the courses to be taken each semester to complete the degree in four years.
Pre-Physical Therapy, Emphasis (Strength and Conditioning)
The Pre-Physical Therapy area of emphasis is designed for students wishing to apply for professional physical therapy programs. Adding this area of emphasis may require students to take beyond 15 hours per semester or to take summer classes in order to complete their degree program in four years.
Course Requirements
- General Education Course
- Milestone course: a key success marker for the major
Math Requirements
- Select from the following:
- MTH 127 & MTH 122: College Algebra-Expanded and Plane Trigonometry
- MTH 130 & MTH 122: College Algebra and Plane Trigonometry
- MTH 132: Precalculus with Sci Applica
Additional Course Requirements
- PHY 201: College Physics I (3 credits)
- PHY 202: General Physics I Laboratory (1 credit)
- PHY 203: College Physics II (3 credits)
- PHY 204: General Physics 2 Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHM 211: Principles of Chemistry I (2 credits)
- CHM 217: Principles of Chem Lab I (2 credits)
- CHM 212: Principles Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 218: Principles of Chem Lab II (2 credits)
- BSC 120: Principles of Biology I (3 credits)
- BSC 120L: Principles of Biology I Lab (1 credit)
- BSC 121: Principles of Biology II (3 credits)
- BSC 121L: Prin of Biology II Lab (1 credit)
- PSY 311: Child Development (3 credits)
- PSY 312: Adult Development (3 credits)
Semester Plan
The semester plan outlines the courses to be taken each semester to complete the degree in four years.
Pre-Physician Assistant, Emphasis (Strength and Conditioning)
The Pre-Physician Assistant area of emphasis is designed for students wishing to apply for professional physical therapy programs. Adding this area of emphasis may require students to take beyond 15 hours per semester or to take summer classes in order to complete their degree program in four years.
Course Requirements
- General Education Course
- Milestone course: a key success marker for the major
Additional Course Requirements
- CHM 211: Principles of Chemistry I (1 credit)
- CHM 217: Principles of Chem Lab I (2 credits)
- CHM 212: Principles Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 218: Principles of Chem Lab II (2 credits)
- CHM 355: Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
- CHM 356: Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 361: Intro Organic Chm Lab (3 credits)
- BSC 120: Principles of Biology I (3 credits)
- BSC 120L: Principles of Biology I Lab (1 credit)
- BSC 121: Principles of Biology II (3 credits)
- BSC 121L: Prin of Biology II Lab (1 credit)
- Microbiology: 4-5 hours of BSC 302 and 304, OR 4 hours of BSC 250 and BSC 250L
Semester Plan
The semester plan outlines the courses to be taken each semester to complete the degree in four years.