Movement Science Degree, Exercise Science Concentration, B.S.

Group of students jumping off a green gymnasium floor

Overview

The Exercise Science Program is accredited by the Commission of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) through the Commission on the Accreditation of the Exercise Sciences (CoAES). CAAHEP accredited programs are assessed on an ongoing basis to assure that they meet the Standards and Guidelines of students seeking employment in the health, fitness and exercise industry as adopted by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and related organizations. The Exercise Science Program is also recognized by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) as an Education Recognition Program (ERP) that meets approved and standardized strength and conditioning & personal training curricula.

Topics Covered

  • Professional Issues in Exercise Science 

  • Exercise Injuries: Prevention and Treatment 

  • Principles of Group Exercise 

  • Principles of Strength and Conditioning 

  • Fitness  Assessment & Exercise Prescription 

  • Organization and Administration in Exercise Science 

  • Fitness Rehabilitation for Special Populations 

Commission on Accrediation of Allied Health Education Programs & ESCA Education Recognition Program

Program Highlights

The Exercise Science Program provides students with practical experience as well as academic preparation to become professionals in exercise science positions in commercial, corporate, and hospital settings or to continue in related graduate work. Students concentrating in Exercise Science are prepared for nationally recognized certifications, specifically those offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

  • 120

    credits

  • Prep for

    National Certification

  • Personalized

    INTERNSHIPS

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program students will have met the academic requirements necessary to sit for an examination for a nationally recognized certification in exercise and sport science.

2023 Program Outcomes:

  • Culminating Experience Pass Rate: 100%
  • National Certification Exam Pass Rate: 100%
  • Graduate Positive Placement: 100%

Admission Requirements

Once in the Sports Medicine and Human Performance Major students must apply to be formally accepted into the program.

Requirements

Movement Science Major Core (27 credits)

All majors in the Department of Sports Medicine and Human Performance must complete the twenty-seven (27) credits of courses specified below. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 in the Major Core is required to be eligible to graduate with a degree from the department.

Scientific Foundations (21 credits)

Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)

The courses listed below are concentration-specific and must be taken depending on the concentration you are studying.

Cultural Competence (3 credits)

The courses listed below are concentration-specific and must be taken depending on the concentration you are studying.

Professional Development Procedures

In order to progress through the Movement Science majors, students must meet the academic and professional development criteria necessary to earn intermediate and advanced standing in the department.

Intermediate Standing

Requirements for Intermediate Standing to progress through the Movement Science majors are as follows:

  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the following courses:
  • MOVP 0100 - Science of Physical Activity and Health
  • MOVP 0194 - Musculoskeletal Structure and Function
  •  Additional Requirements:Student Acknowledgement Form Copy of Degree Evaluation First Aid/CPR Certification Earn a minimum of 12 Professional Development points across four (4) different areas (Academic, Clinical, Professional, Social Justice; three in each area) Writing Sample (ENGL 0101; graded B- or higher) Additional requirements that are specific to Physical Education can be found on the Physical Education concentration page.

Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing is required for those completing an internship, ATEP clinical experience, or student teaching practicum. The requirements are as follows:

  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the Major Core area (27 credits)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.7 in the courses required within the chosen concentration (Physical Education requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 within the concentration)
  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.8
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • First Aid / CPR Certification
  • Membership in a professional organization
  • Earn a minimum of 16 Professional Development Points across four different areas (Academic, Clinical, Professional, Social Justice; four in each area)
  • Three (3) Faculty Recommendations and two (2) additional recommendations from outside the department

Additional requirements for Physical Education students can be found on the Physical Education concentration page.

Additional information can be found in the SMHP Department manual.

Exercise Science Concentration

The Exercise Science Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) through the Commission on the Accreditation of the Exercise Sciences (CoAES). Upon successful completion of the program the student will have met the academic requirements necessary to sit for an examination for a nationally recognized certification in exercise and sport science.

Exercise Science Concentration Entrance (Acceptance) Requirements

All students in the Department of Sports Medicine and Human Performance may apply to the Exercise Science Program (ESP). Students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Science with a concentration in Exercise Science. The  number of students accepted will vary in accordance with retention and graduation rates. The ESP is minimum 4-semester commitment, and, therefore, students are encouraged to apply during the end of first semester of their second year.

Admissions Minimal Requirements

Admission to the program is competitive, and based on the following criteria.  Students interested in applying for entrance to the Exercise Science Program must meet the following prerequisite requirements:

  1. Complete MOVP 0100 
  2. Be accepted into the Movement Science Major
  3. Enrolled in, or completed, MOVP 0101 
  4. Observation hours (minimum 20 hours at four different types of facilities)
  5. Current CPR and First Aid certification
  6. Member of Professional Organization
  7. Minimum overall GPA of 2.7

Application materials may be found in the Exercise Science Program Manual.

Transfer students will be considered on an individual basis based on University policies explained in the Admission section of this Bulletin, in addition to courses and clinical experiences completed at the previous institution. Any courses considered equivalent to the required courses must be presented to the Department Chair and/or Program Director(s) for approval prior to application. A copy of the course description, course syllabus and confirmation of grade/course completion is required for review.

Once accepted into the Exercise Science Program, the student will be required to meet the academic and clinical requirements of the program as outlined in the Exercise Science Program Manual. Students must be granted Advanced Standing and complete an internship in order to graduate from the Exercise Science Program.

Required Course List:

The following is a listing of the Exercise Science concentration course requirements beyond those of the Movement Science core:

Note:

Additional information about the Exercise Science Program may be found in the Exercise Science Program Manual.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will understand and demonstrate cultural competence.
  • Students will understand the need for and will demonstrate proficiency in written and oral communications and be able to utilize different forms of current technology.
  • Students will use reflective practices to plan, implement and evaluate program, personal, community and professional goals.
  • Students will demonstrate an ability to explain the relevance of scientific and theoretical knowledge appropriate to his/her chosen field of study to everyday problems.
  • Students will utilize critical inquiry to advance knowledge and apply that knowledge to practice.
  • Students will understand the importance of and will engage in professional behaviors including pursuit of appropriate credentials.
  • Students will understand the role of Physical Activity in the Health and Wellness of individuals across the lifespan.
  • Students will value and participate in Civic Engagement.
A Westfield State student on the treadmill

Still have questions?

Program Director
Dr. Melissa Roti
mroti@westfield.ma.edu