The Exercise Science major is designed to prepare students for pursuing professional studies in Physical Therapy, graduate studies in Exercise Science/Exercise Physiology or Biomechanics, entry into Athletic Training, Cardiac Rehabilitation or related specialized Masters-level programs, or for successful careers in the health and wellness area. The program is in the Biology Department and is solidly based in the natural sciences, thus meeting the prerequisites for most graduate or professional programs. Exercise Science students may choose to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. For students planning to pursue graduate school in Exercise Physiology or Sports Science, or professional programs such as Physical Therapy, the BS degree will satisfy most prerequisites for those programs. For students interested in Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, or direct entry into the wellness/fitness industry, the BA degree will prepare them well for those paths. (Students interested in pursuing professional programs or graduate school should see the notes section after the course requirements below.)
For students interested in Pre-Physical Therapy & other professional programs such as Cardiac Rehab, Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, etc.:
The course requirements for the major are designed to meet the basic requirements for admission to PT and other professional programs. However, it is crucial that you consult specific programs of interest to verify their specific requirements. Additional requirements can be fulfilled through non-major elective courses. Pre-PT students are strongly encouraged to take General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Lifespan Development, and a Medical Terminology course, as these are required for most programs. Some programs require or encourage students to take additional courses such as Calculus I, Principles of Genetics, or Principles of Cell Biology. Check your specific graduate or professional programs of interest for details about prerequisite courses.
Pre-PT Internship requirements: Most programs require a minimum of 100 hours of observation and experience in a variety of physical therapy settings. Therefore, an internship experience is essential.
For students interested in pursuing graduate school (Masters or PhD):
It is a good idea to check your programs of interest to be sure that you are satisfying all their requirements for admission. The course requirements for the major are designed to meet the basic requirements for admission, but each program often has a prerequisite that may be different from the others, for example, Principles of Genetics and Principles of Cell Biology are frequently required or encouraged. Also, research experience is usually a requirement.
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