Exercise Science, BS

The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science provides an undergraduate education for individuals seeking careers in a wide variety of health fields. Some of the most common career and job opportunities under the umbrella of exercise science include: athletic trainer, exercise physiologist, medical physician, occupational therapist, physical therapist, physician assistant, cardiac rehabilitation specialist, and strength and conditioning specialist. This degree will prepare students for advanced professional degree programs by offering students the opportunity to enroll in a broad exercise major.

General Information

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise Science requires the following:

A minimum of 120 credit hours is required to complete the bachelor’s degree.
A minimum of 45 credit hours of HPNU coursework is required for the major; at least 39 of those hours must be upper-division (courses numbered 3000 or higher) course work.
A grade of “C-” or better is required on all courses for the Exercise Science degree.
A minimum CU cumulative GPA of 2.0 is needed to graduate.

Additional course work is required to complete the Exercise Science, BS degree. Please see the advising guides on the Academic Advising website for more information.

Learning Outcomes

Students will understand the physiological, anatomical, biomechanical, and nutritional principles that govern and influence exercise and sport performance.
Students will understand the application of physiological, anatomical, biomechanical, and nutritional factors that contribute to exercise, physical activity, and sport performance.
Students will be able to measure a variety of fitness and sports performance-related values in a variety of individuals.
Students will be able to demonstrate and apply the knowledge and skills of research design, measurement, and evaluation used in the field of exercise science.
Students will be able to demonstrate reasoning, problem solving, and critical thinking in the context of exercise science.

Exercise Science Major Options

There are two options available for completing the Exercise Science degree. It may also be completed without pursuing one of the options:

Strength and Conditioning
Athletic Training Prep

Course Requirements

Core Courses (30 credit hours)

Complete the following core courses. These are required for the Exercise Science, BS, and both options.

Auxiliary Requirements (31-32 credit hours)

Complete the following core courses. These are required for the Exercise Science, BS, and both options.

HPNU Upper-Division Electives (8-15 credit hours)

Complete 15 credit hours of upper-division (3000+ level) HPNU electives for Exercise Science and the Athletic Training Prep option.
Complete 8 credit hours of upper-division (3000+ level) HPNU electives for the Strength and Conditioning option.

Strength and Conditioning Option

The Strength and Conditioning option is intended for students who desire to become a professional strength and conditioning coach. The curriculum is structured to provide the content necessary to take the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam in the last semester of the program.

Additional Required Courses (7 credit hours)

In addition to the Core Courses, Auxiliary Requirements, and HPNU Upper-Division electives listed above, complete the following:

Athletic Training Prep Option

Athletic Trainers (ATs) are health care professionals, recognized by the American Medical Association, who provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions in collaboration with physicians. ATs provide care for a breadth of patients including, but not limited to, professional, collegiate, secondary school and youth athletes, dancers, musicians, and military personnel.

NOTE: Declaration of the Athletic Training Prep Option does not guarantee admission to the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program. Students should meet with the MSAT Program Director no later than their sophomore year to discuss the MSAT program, the concurrent degree, and program application. Students not admitted into the MSAT can continue to completion of the BS degree.

This option prepares students for application to the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)* program at UCCS. This concurrent degree route provides Exercise Science students the opportunity to enter a 5-year concurrent degree program, ultimately leading to both the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and the Master of Science in Athletic Training. The MSAT program is a professional preparation program, leading to eligibility for national certification as an Athletic Trainer through the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC).

Students wishing to pursue the concurrent degree should complete the Exercise Science degree coursework outlined above, along with the MSAT prerequisites. After admission to the MSAT, the dual credit courses must also be completed.

Additional Required Courses (16 credit hours)

In addition to the Core Courses, Auxiliary Requirements, and HPNU Upper-Division electives listed above, complete the following:

MSAT Prerequisites (12 credit hours)

Students following the concurrent degree take the following MSAT prerequisites as part of their degree plan. Complete 12 credit hours from the following courses:

MSAT Dual Credit Courses (10 credit hours)

Students who are accepted into the MSAT program MUST take these courses as part of the MSAT after admission.

NOTE: Courses in this section double count between the BS and the MSAT degrees.

Recommended Courses

These courses are highly recommended but not required. If taken, they will count toward HPNU Upper-Division elective credit hours for the major. The Athletic Training Prep option requires 15 credit hours of HPNU Upper-Division electives.