Additional Program Information
The Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science offers a comprehensive curriculum grounded in scientific principles and their practical applications to maintaining health through fitness and nutrition, training and performance, and wellness. The Exercise Science program supports preparation for academic advancement into graduate health professions such as physical therapy and occupational therapy, as well as other related areas such as biomechanics, exercise physiology, sports psychology and athletic training. Students interested in entering the work force upon graduating with the B.S. degree in Exercise Science will also be prepared to apply for positions within the sport performance and fitness industry.
The Exercise Science Major is both accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and endorsed as an Education Recognition Program (ERP) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
All Exercise Science students take the same core curriculum and specialize in one of two areas of concentration; Clinical track or Performance track. Both tracks prepare students for certifications such as the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP), and the NSCA Certified and Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exams.
The Exercise Science Performance Track gives students the strong scientific foundation and hands-on application needed to prepare students for work in a variety of high demand fields, including but not limited to strength and conditioning, personal training, physical education, and performance coaching.
Program Outcomes
At the completion of the Exercise Science major, students are expected to:
- Apply knowledge of core concepts of the foundations for practice in exercise science.
- Act in accordance with professional and ethical standards in the field of exercise science.
- Assess health status, conduct fitness testing, and interpret results based on scientific evidence.
- Utilize evidence to design, administer, and modify appropriate exercise programs.
- Design and implement behavior modifications to promote and sustain a healthy lifestyle
Progression Criteria
Students must earn a minimum letter grade of C or better in all exercise science courses. Additionally, students enrolling in natural science courses must earn at least a letter grade of C in all prerequisite courses.
Students may not repeat a required course more than once or repeat more than two EXSC courses in the major.
Any student who earns a grade less than C in a required course must repeat that course at Mercy University, earning a grade of C or higher, in order to progress to any course for which it is a prerequisite.
For any exercise science lecture course that has a laboratory course as a corequisite, both the lecture and laboratory courses must be taken concurrently. In the event that a student must withdraw from the lecture course, the student must also withdraw from the corequisite laboratory course. Students who wish to take the lecture or laboratory course seperately will require Program Director authorization.
Students who do not achieve these standards will be reviewed by faculty to determine their dismissal from the program.
Program Dismissal Review
In cases which a student has been dismissed from the Exercise Science Program, the student may request a dismissal review when they believe that extenuating circumstances affected their academic performance in the program. The student must follow the SHNS Program Dismissal Review Policy detailed at the beginning of the School of Health and Natural Sciences section.
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