Overview of EXSS Major

The basic exercise and sport science curriculum meets university requirements for the bachelor’s degree and provides general education needed for professional preparation. In addition to the general education and professional courses listed in the core program, undergraduate major students complete an option selected from applied exercise and sport science, fitness and nutrition, physical education teacher education, and pre-therapy and allied health.

Applied Exercise and Sport Science

The Applied Exercise and Sport Science option allows students to individualize their Exercise & Sport Science program of study to prepare for a variety of professional goals such as medical school, graduate and professional programs, adult fitness, sport business, athletics, youth programs, and leadership of non-school sports programs for people of all ages. It is designed to prepare students for very specific career goals that are not met by one of the other four options.

Fitness and Nutrition

The Fitness and Nutrition option brings together a strong focus in exercise physiology and exercise programming with a foundation in nutrition, which uniquely prepares our graduates to promote health while working with the public in a fitness setting. Graduates of the Fitness and Nutrition option are well prepared to provide leadership for organizing, directing, and managing physical fitness programs in business and industrial settings, health clubs, and hospital-based fitness/wellness and cardiac rehabilitation programs. They are also prepared for professional certifications in fitness and conditioning (such as those from ACSM and NSCA) and for graduate study in the field.

Physical Education Teacher Education

The Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) option is for students seeking careers in teaching physical education. If you want to teach in an elementary and/or secondary school setting, this program provides the academic major and prerequisites needed for application into the fifth-year, masters-level teacher education program that leads to teaching licensure.

Pre-Therapy and Allied Health

The Pre-Therapy and Allied Health (PTAH) option prepares students for admission into professional preparation programs in the following areas: physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, physician assistant and medical school. This option emphasizes classroom, clinical and community experiences. Students who complete this option will be exposed to the clinical aspects of area of interest under the supervision of a licensed professional via the Allied Health practicum.