Program Overview

Program Overview

The Exercise Science program at the University of Kansas prepares students for a variety of career paths after graduation, including admission to most physical therapy schools. Graduates may also work in agencies that dispense health- and fitness-related programs, such as commercial or private health and fitness centers, hospital exercise and cardiac rehabilitation programs, and corporate fitness centers or apply for graduate study in exercise physiology. It also serves as a foundation for graduate-level work in health sciences, such as nursing, chiropractic, medicine (physician assistant, medical doctor, etc.), physical/occupational therapy or dietetics. The program combines rigorous coursework in the sciences with exercise science classes such as biomechanics, exercise biochemistry and neuromuscular exercise physiology.

Admission Criteria

• Incoming Freshman Students: Students can be admitted into the Exercise Science program as freshmen if they meet KU’s assured admission standards and declare Exercise Science as their major.
• Incoming Transfer Students: Students can be admitted into Exercise Science as transfer students if they are admitted to KU, declare Exercise Science as their major, and meet the following criteria:
  • A KU + Transfer Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
• Current KU Students: Students can be admitted into Sport Management or Exercise Science as current KU students if they meet the following criteria:
  • A KU + Transfer Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
• Students that do not meet the requirements above can petition through the online SOEHS Admission Petition form.

Degree Requirements

• Complete an approved program with a minimum of 120 credit hours of course work. At least 30 hours must be taken in residence.
• A 2.75 minimum KU + Transfer Cumulative grade-point average for all academic coursework, including transfer hours.
• Other general regulations of the School and University, including KU Core Goal requirements.
• Successful completion of internship or approved electives.

Course List

Electives

• HSES 300: Study Abroad Topics in: (1-3)
• HSES 306: Principles of Personal Training (3)
• HSES 307: Tactical Strength and Conditioning (3)
• HSES 331: Sport and Exercise Nutrition (3)
• HSES 335: Clinical Field Experience (1-6)
• HSES 370: Health and Pathophysiology (3)
• HSES 371: Medical Terminology for Health Professionals (3)
• HSES 418: Health Aspects of Aging (3)
• HSES 440: Applied Sport and Performance Psychology (3)
• HSES 475: Undergraduate Research in Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences (1-6)
• HSES 489: Health and Human Sexuality (3)
• HSES 497: Independent Study (1-3)
• HSES 580: Internship in: (Exercise Science) (15)
• HSES 598: Special Course: (1-5)
• AAAS 203: Culture and Health
• AAAS 204: Culture and Health, Honors
• ABSC 160: Introduction to Child Behavior and Development (3)
• GEOG 201: Culture and Health
• GEOG 202: Culture and Health, Honors
• GIST 210: Culture and Health
• GIST 211: Culture and Health, Honors
• BIOL 150: Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology
• BIOL 350: Principles of Genetics (4)
• BIOL 503: Immunology (3)
• BIOL 400: Fundamentals of Microbiology
• BIOL 504: Immunology Laboratory (2)
• BIOL 600: Introductory Biochemistry, Lectures (3)
• BIOL 601: Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory (2)
• BIOL 636: Biochemistry I (4)
• CHEM 330: Organic Chemistry I (3)
• CHEM 331: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (2)
• CHEM 335: Organic Chemistry II (3)
• CHEM 336: Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (2)
• CLSX 332: Medical Terminology: Greek and Latin Roots
• HEIM 230: Medical Terminology
• MATH 365: Elementary Statistics (3)
• PHIL 676: Medical Ethics: Life and Death Issues
• PSYC 333: Child Development (3)
• PSYC 350: Psychological Disorders (3)
• SOC 104: Elements of Sociology (3)
• SOC 304: Principles of Sociology (3)
• SOC 424: Sociology of Health and Medicine (3)
• SPAN 326: Spanish for Health Care Workers (3)
• A maximum of 6 credit hours of foreign language courses can be counted as required electives credit
• HEIM 415: Healthcare Delivery Systems (3)
• HEIM 420: Legal Aspects of Healthcare (3)
• HEIM 540: Health Information Systems (3)
• HEIM 567: Quality and Performance Improvement in Healthcare (3)
• HEIM 570: Introduction to Healthcare Management (3)
• HEIM 585: Healthcare Reimbursement (3)

Minors and Certificates

• Sport Management Minor
• Business Minor
• Entrepreneurship Certificate
• Psychology Minor
• Sport & Exercise Psychology Minor
• Public and Population Health Minor
• Public and Population Health Certificate
• Nutrition Minor
• Nutrition Certificate

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Identify the core scientific principles that underpin exercise science and physical activity.
• Locate accurate, reliable, peer-reviewed scientific information and critically evaluate research and data in exercise science.
• Evaluate and design exercise technique and exercise programs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of risk assessment and injury prevention.
• Provide evidence of participation in activities that enhance collaboration and lead to professional growth and development.

Sample Plan of Study

Year 1

• Fall: ENGL 101, MATH 101, BIOL 100, BIOL 102, PSYC 104, HSES 269
• Spring: ENGL 102, COMS 130, BIOL 240, MATH 103, Core 34: Arts and Humanities Year 2
• Fall: BIOL 246, BIOL 241, CHEM 130, PHIL 160, HSES 330
• Spring: BIOL 247, CHEM 135, HSES 350, Core 34: Social and Behavior Science, Required Elective Year 3
• Fall: HSES 310, HSES 369, HSES 372, Core 34: US Culture, Required Elective
• Spring: HSES 470, BIOL 200, BIOL 203, PHSX 114, HSES 375 Year 4
• Fall: HSES 473, HSES 373, PHSX 115, Core 34: Global Culture, Required Elective
• Spring: HSES 305, HSES 474, Required Elective, Required Elective

Total Hours: 120