Program Overview

Exercise Science - B.S.

Overview

The Exercise Science B.S. program focuses on the scientific study of human movement and exercise, preparing students for careers in fields such as sports performance, rehabilitation, fitness and health promotion. You'll learn from experienced faculty members and gain hands-on experience through internships, research opportunities and our state-of-the-art exercise science lab.

Contact Information

• Adam Jajtner |
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery: In person
• Locations: Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

• Exercise physiologists
  • 11.3% much faster than the average
  • 19,800 number of jobs
  • $50,280 potential earnings
• Physical therapists
  • 18.2% much faster than the average
  • 258,200 number of jobs
  • $91,010 potential earnings
• Additional careers
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Exercise specialist
• Careers requiring additional education
  • Pre-Physical/Occupational Therapy/Podiatric Medicine
  • Exercise physiologist
  • Physical therapist

Accreditation

• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences
• National Strength and Conditioning Education Recognition Program

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

• First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.
• First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.
• International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.
• Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.
• Current Kent State and Transfer Students: Active Kent State students who wish to change their major must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA to be admitted. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

• ATTR 15003/CAREERS IN HEALTH AND MEDICAL SCIENCES (2)
• ATTR/EXSC 25057/HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) (4)
• ATTR/EXSC 25058/HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (KBS) (KLAB) (4)
• ATTR/EXSC 35054/BIOMECHANICS (3)
• EXSC 35080/PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE (4)
• EXSC 35068/STATISTICS FOR THE EXERCISE SCIENTIST (3)
• EXSC 45065/EXERCISE TESTING (3)
• EXSC 45081/ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE (WIC) (3)
• EXSC 45481/SEMINAR IN EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY (1)
• GERO 14029/INTRODUCTION TO GERONTOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) (3)
• NUTR 23511/SCIENCE OF HUMAN NUTRITION (KBS) (3)
• NURS 20950/HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS (3)
• PH 30015/UNITED STATES HEALTH CARE SYSTEM (3)
• SEPP 20026/PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF SPORT AND EXERCISE (3)
• Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
  • CHEM 10060/GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) (4)
  • CHEM 10061/GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) (4)
  • CHEM 10062/GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) (1)
  • CHEM 10063/GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) (1)
  • PSYC 11762/GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) (3)
  • UC 10001/FLASHES 101 (1)
  • Kent Core Composition (6)
  • Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) (9)
• Concentrations
  • Choose from the following: (49)
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Exercise Specialist
  • Pre-Physical/Occupational Therapy/Podiatric Medicine
  • Strength and Conditioning Concentration
  • Minimum Total Credit Hours: (120)

Exercise Physiology Concentration Requirements

• Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
  • ATTR 25036/RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES (3)
  • CHEM 20481/BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I (4)
  • EXSC 35040/PRACTICAL AND APPLIED CONCEPTS OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING (3)
  • EXSC 45022/EXERCISE LEADERSHIP (2)
  • EXSC 45096/INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN EXERCISE SCIENCE (ELR) (3)
  • NUTR 33512/INTERMEDIATE NUTRITION SCIENCE (3)
  • Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
    • MATH 11009/MODELING ALGEBRA (KMCR) (3-4)
    • General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) (28)
  • Minimum Total Credit Hours: (49)

Exercise Specialist Concentration Requirements

• Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
  • ATTR 25036/RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES (3)
  • ATTR 45040/PATHOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY FOR ALLIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS (3)
  • EXSC 35040/PRACTICAL AND APPLIED CONCEPTS OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING (3)
  • EXSC 35075/EXERCISE PROGRAMMING (3)
  • EXSC 40612/EXERCISE LEADERSHIP FOR THE OLDER ADULT (3)
  • EXSC 45022/EXERCISE LEADERSHIP (2)
  • EXSC 45040/ADVANCED STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING (3)
  • EXSC 45065/EXERCISE TESTING (3)
  • EXSC 45492/INTERNSHIP IN PHYSICAL FITNESS AND CARDIAC REHABILITATION (ELR) (3)
  • Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
    • MATH 11009/MODELING ALGEBRA (KMCR) (3-4)
    • General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) (20)
  • Minimum Total Credit Hours: (49)

Pre-Physical/Occupational Therapy/Podiatric Medicine Concentration Requirements

• Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
  • BSCI 10110/BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) (4)
  • BSCI 10120/BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) (4)
  • EXSC 43098/RESEARCH IN EXERCISE SCIENCE (ELR) (3)
  • HED 14020/MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY (3)
  • NUTR 33512/INTERMEDIATE NUTRITION SCIENCE (3)
  • PHY 13001/GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) (4)
  • PHY 13002/GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) (4)
  • PHY 13021/GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) (1)
  • PHY 13022/GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB) (1)
  • PSYC 40111/PSYCHOPATHOLOGY (3)
  • Chemistry Elective, choose from the following: (4-8)
    • CHEM 20481/BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
    • CHEM 30481/ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
    • CHEM 30482/ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
    • CHEM 30475/ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR)
    • CHEM 30476/ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II
  • Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
    • MATH 11010/ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) (3)
    • MATH 11022/TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) (3)
    • General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) (9)
  • Minimum Total Credit Hours: (49)

Strength and Conditioning Concentration Requirements

• Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
  • ATTR 25036/RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES (3)
  • EXSC 35075/EXERCISE PROGRAMMING (3)
  • EXSC 35040/PRACTICAL AND APPLIED CONCEPTS OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING (3)
  • EXSC 45023/PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE PREPARATION (2)
  • EXSC 45040/ADVANCED STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING (3)
  • EXSC 45492/INTERNSHIP IN PHYSICAL FITNESS AND CARDIAC REHABILITATION (ELR) (6)
  • NUTR 23520/SPORTS NUTRITION (3)
  • SEPP 40020/HIGH PERFORMANCE ATHLETES IN SPORT (3)
  • Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
    • MATH 11009/MODELING ALGEBRA (KMCR) (3-4)
    • General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) (20)
  • Minimum Total Credit Hours: (49)

Graduation Requirements

• Graduation Requirements Summary
  • Minimum Major GPA: 2.250
  • Minimum Overall GPA: 2.000

Roadmaps

Exercise Physiology Concentration

• This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Exercise Specialist Concentration

• This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Pre-Physical/Occupational Therapy/Podiatric Medicine Concentration

• This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Strength and Conditioning Concentration

• This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

University Requirements

• All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.
• NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Bachelor's Requirements

• Flashes 101 (UC 10001) (1 credit hour)
• Course is not required for students with 30+ transfer credits (excluding College Credit Plus) or age 21+ at time of admission.
• Diversity Domestic/Global (DIVD/DIVG) (2 courses)
• Students must successfully complete one domestic and one global course, of which one must be from the Kent Core.
• Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) (varies)
• Students must successfully complete one course or approved experience.
• Kent Core (see table below) (36-37 credit hours)
• Writing-Intensive Course (WIC) (1 course)
• Students must earn a minimum C grade in the course.
• Upper-Division Requirement (39 credit hours)
• Students must successfully complete 39 upper-division (numbered 30000 to 49999) credit hours to graduate.

Kent Core Requirements

• Kent Core Composition (KCMP) (6)
• Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (KMCR) (3)
• Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (KHUM/KFA) (minimum one course from each) (9)
• Kent Core Social Sciences (KSS) (must be from two disciplines) (6)
• Kent Core Basic Sciences (KBS/KLAB) (must include one laboratory) (6-7)
• Kent Core Additional (KADL) (6)
• Total Credit Hours: (36-37)

Program Learning Outcomes

• Graduates of this program will be able to:
  1. Master the scientific and theoretical concepts of physiology critical to an entry-level Exercise Scientist.
  2. Apply the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to assess, motivate and prescribe exercise or strength and conditioning as appropriate for an entry-level Exercise Scientist.
  3. Utilize statistical methods to analyze and interpret data applicable to the exercise science field.

Admission GPA for Undergraduate Students

• For admissions, the College of Education, Health and Human Services considers a student to have established a Kent State University GPA after the student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours.
• Undergraduate students who have not completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours will be evaluated for admission into programs, Advanced Study, and the Professional phase based on their high school GPA for new freshmen, or transfer GPA for transfer students. Once a student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours, only the student’s Kent State cumulative GPA will be considered for admission into a program, Advanced Study, and Professional Phase.

Undergraduate Graduation Requirements

• Students declared in a teacher licensure major or minor must earn a minimum C grade in all major/minor and professional coursework.
• Students declared in the Education minor must earn minimum 2.500 content GPA.
• Students may apply a maximum 4 credit hours of Physical Activity, Wellness and Sport (PWS) courses toward their degree.
• Students may apply a maximum of 4 credit hours of variable-titled workshop (xxx93) toward an undergraduate degree. Identical workshop topics that are repeated for credit will not count towards graduation requirements. All workshops are graded S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory). Some program areas may be more restrictive. Students are advised to consult their program regarding application of workshop credit toward degree requirements.

Full Description

• The Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science comprises four concentrations:
  • The Exercise Physiology concentration prepares students for graduate school in exercise physiology or health care professions.
  • The Exercise Specialist concentration enables students to prepare for work in the clinical setting, ranging from a career in wellness to cardiac rehabilitation.
  • The Pre-Physical/Occupational Therapy/Podiatric Medicine concentration prepares students for subsequent graduate school in these areas. The pre-podiatric medicine track is designed to be a combined program with Kent State University's College of Podiatric Medicine. Successful completion of this program, however does not guarantee acceptance into the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree. Please see the Podiatric Medicine doctoral program in the catalog for more information about the application process and acceptance criteria.
  • The Strength and Conditioning concentration is designed to assist those that wish to pursue a career in the field of strength and conditioning. This may include working with all levels of athletes in a strength and conditioning facility.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

• This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.