About The Program
The Exercise Science Program is grounded in a vision and mission of leadership and service to others, with a focus on the science of human movement and behavior. It emphasizes acquiring relevant skills and application experiences for careers dedicated to the science of human movement, the study of behavioral study and the respect for the dignity of the human person.
Program Details
Knowing how to prescribe movement requires a deep understanding of how the human body works. At ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½, you'll begin your education with foundational courses like anatomy and physiology that explore how the body functions through different stages of life and degrees of health. In labs, practicums and independent studies, you'll learn to read, interpret and conduct your own research. Then you can narrow your focus on more specialized interests in upper-level classes like Strength and Conditioning or Kinesiology.
Program Learning Goals
- Develop knowledge, skills and dispositions in the science of human movement and behavior through an integrated curriculum across content domains.
- Learn expertise in the application of knowledge, skills, and dispositions within course, field, and internship experiences relevant to professional values and goals.
- Implement communication skills across multiple domains, e.g., written, oral and physical, that serve a primary role of conveying knowledge through implementation of practice, feedback, therapy and ongoing support.
- Learn problem-solving, critical thinking and reflective practices indicative of a knowledge and evidence-based practice based on a framework of conceptual knowledge.
- Practice appropriate professional behaviors as demonstrated through knowledge, skills, and dispositions within coursework, internship and professional opportunities.
- Exercise values-based, ethical behavior grounded in the liberal arts, observed through personal and professional behaviors, dedicated to the dignity of each person and representative of the Ignatian ideal of a leader in service to others.
Learning in the Field
As an exercise science student, you’ll complete a 10-hour field observation in your first semester. For example, students assist with the annual fitness testing for local fire departments each year, and use that data for research projects. You’ll do 50 hours of related volunteering during your sophomore and junior year, and complete an internship by the end of your senior year. A partnership with the Cleveland Clinic allows more than 20 students each year to intern in areas of scientific and medical research, and several research grants and fellowships allow students to receive funding to pursue their own research.
Career Prospects
A degree in exercise science prepares you for a range of health careers, from medical, dental and nursing school, to the allied health professions, like physical therapy and nutrition. Many students also pursue jobs on the business side of things, in medical sales, or enter the wellness industry, as an athletic trainer or coach.
Program Highlights
98%
The acceptance rate for ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ University students entering dental, medical, or other health related professional school
200K
The number of physical therapist jobs added in 2020
23%
The estimated job growth for athletic trainers over the next decade, outpacing other industries by far
Leadership
Featured Courses
EPA 412 Exercise Testing and Prescription
Provides an overview of the proper assessment and interpretation of various exercise tests, and appropriate exercise prescriptions, and prepares students for the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologist certification.
EPA 420 Disabilities: Learning, Movement and Program Development
This course explores disabilities and their effects on movement and motor development within settings such as schools, physical education, recreation, athletics and allied health programs. It focuses on the causes of disabilities, creating suitable learning and therapy environments to improve physical development and motor skills, and examines current qualitative and quantitative research. The course also covers techniques for assessment, program development and implementation, along with a hands-on practicum experience.