Exercise Science and Wellness Emphasis

The Exercise Science and Wellness program is designed for the student who desires to pursue advanced study in the scientific areas of exercise related to apparently healthy populations as well as those with cardiovascular, pulmonary and/or metabolic disease. This emphasis will help to strengthen the background of those individuals already involved in conducting fitness programs or to prepare individuals for careers in health-related fields that utilize exercise as preventive or rehabilitative medicine in settings such as hospitals, government agencies, and corporate wellness centers.

The Exercise Science and Wellness curriculum follow the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). Students are strongly encouraged to earn the ACSM certification. Many students have successfully completed the ACSM Health/Fitness InstructorSM certification examination which is offered at the University.

Requirements for the emphasis are as follows (36 hours total):

Core Courses (21 hours):

EXSC 528 Exercise Prescription for Chronic Diseases
ESPR 625 Clinical Biomechanics for Rehabilitation Professionals
ESPR 630 Exercise Physiology
ESPR 634 Statistics
ESPR 635 Research Methods
ESPR 642 Clinical Exercise Testing and Prescription
ESPR 661 Seminar in Nutrition for Sports and Health

Requirements for different tracks are as follows (The student will select either a research or internship option):

Thesis Track Courses (15 hours):
ESPR 698 Thesis
ESPR 699 Thesis
Plus Nine hours of electives.

Research-Problem Track (15 hours):
ESPR 636 Research Problems
Plus twelve hours of electives

Non-research Track (15 hours):
ESPR 667 Internship
Plus nine hours of electives.

Supportive electives may be chosen from a restricted list of courses in health, physical education and recreation, sports management, biology, or other areas of relevant study.

Admission

Students must (1) have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.80 and an average of 3.00 in the undergraduate major and (2) have a score of at least 900 between quantitative and verbal on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission to regular status. Students who have either a low GPA or a low GRE score may be considered for admission to provisional status. GRE's are required for consideration of admittance. Additionally, students must be computer literate.

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the University and the Darden College of Education, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Exercise science and wellness prerequisites arephysiology andexercise physiology. All emphasis areas require an undergraduate statistics course and computer competency.

Additional requirements for admission to the athletic training emphasis and the curriculum and instruction emphasis are listed in the section on that emphasis.

Exit

Students must (1) have an overall grade point average of 3.00; (2) have a grade point average of 3.00 in the major; (3) demonstrate writing proficiency; (4) satisfy all course competencies; (5) pass a comprehensive examination; (6) complete an internship or research project; and (7) have an exit interview.