Exercise and Sport Science

Exercise and Sport Science students are prepared for a variety of careers, including fitness specialist, personal training and strength and conditioning specialist. With graduate training, students can pursue careers in athletic training, sport nutrition, exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy and physician assistant. Students are also prepared to take either the NSCA’s certified strength and conditioning specialist exam (CSCS) or the ACSM’s health fitness specialist (HFS) exam or the ACSM's certified physiologist (EP-C) exam. Passing one of these national exams can result in enhanced job opportunities.

  • Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students will exhibit thorough and accurate knowledge in their chosen academic track. 1.1 Students will understand and apply discipline-specific scientific and theoretical concepts critical to acting as professionals in their chosen field.
    2. Students will demonstrate crucial practical skills in their chosen field.

    2.1 Students will demonstrate field-related practical skills including carrying out comprehensive fitness assessments and the demonstration and instruction of a range of weightlifting exercises.

    3. Students will understand the importance of peer-reviewed scientific research to their activities as professionals.  3.1 Students will demonstrate critical thinking and scientific writing skills via their understanding of peer-reviewed research in the field.
    4. Students will understand and exhibit essential elements of professional behavior and involvement.

    4.1 Students will exhibit the ability to perform at an acceptable level in a pre-professional environment, such as an internship.

    4.2 Students will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of involvement in professional organizations and/or activities.

  • With classes like Advanced Strength and Conditioning Sport Nutrition, and Clinical Exercise Testing and Prescription, students get the latest information about techniques to improve the health and performance of a variety of clients or patients. The curriculum also includes space for prerequisites to a number of health-related careers such as physical therapy, physician assistant, and others, without adding extra hours to the degree.

  • Our students have completed internships at locations state and nationwide. From working with professional hockey players at Fast Fitness in Westport, Connecticut, young tennis players at Club Med Academy in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and clients at sport training centers, cardiac rehabilitation facilities, and physical therapy clinics across the Upstate, students get a chance to make a great impression and learn how the industry works firsthand.