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Health Sciences (B.S.) - Exercise Science/Strength Conditioning Specialization

This undergraduate program, grounded in the university's Liberal Arts Core, provides students resources for developing professional skills in exercise testing, physical activity leadership, health and fitness assessment, exercise programming, wellness coaching, planning health promotion programs, and public health. Graduates are prepared for beginning administrative, supervisory, and leadership positions in commercial and community health and athletic clubs, corporate fitness and wellness programs, public health nonprofit and government agencies, and for undertaking graduate study in health education, exercise science, occupational therapy, athletic training, chiropractic medicine, physical therapy, and public health. In addition, qualified students may apply for an accelerated B.S. to M.S. program in public health education and promotion.

Students will choose from four specialization areas: exercise science/strength and conditioning, public health, pre-physical therapy, or pre-professional.

Students completing the baccalaureate degree in Marymount’s health sciences programs are prepared to apply for exercise physiologist or personal trainer certifications offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), strength and conditioning certification offered by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), or Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification. Exercise science/strength and conditioning, pre-physical therapy, and pre-professional tracks are all accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Upon successful completion of the health sciences program, students will be able to

  • demonstrate the knowledge required to function as competent entry-level professionals in the health/fitness industry;
  • demonstrate competence in using equipment, industry tools/inventories, and/or other practical "hands-on" applications typically used in health and wellness settings and/or clinical settings;
  • demonstrate the ability to effectively educate and/or counsel individuals regarding behavior modification for the promotion of health and wellness;
  • apply ethical standards to the conduct of health and wellness programs; and
  • evaluate information to address the health needs/concerns of individuals or groups.

The exercise science/strength and conditioning specialization provides students with a theoretical understanding of the anatomical, neuromuscular, physiological, and psychological responses and adaptations to exercise. Through specialization-specific courses, electives, and internship, a health sciences (exercise science/strength and conditioning) degree provides students with the knowledge and skills to assess physical function and prescribe exercise for healthy individuals and special populations. This specialization in health sciences enables graduates to gain employment in a variety of settings as exercise specialists for youth, adult, geriatric, and special populations, including those with medically controlled diseases. Graduates also work as business owners and communication specialists and successfully enter graduate and professional schools. This specialization prepares students to sit for certifications offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), including those for personal trainers and exercise physiologists. Students taking this specialization are strongly encouraged to consider the accelerated B.S. to M.S. program in Public Health Education and Promotion and should consult an advisor for more information.

Internship Prerequisites: A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better; a grade of C- or better in HPR 202, HPR 301, and HPR 410; and a minimum of 12 credits earned at Marymount are needed to register for the internship.

Internship Requirements: When other requirements are completed and minimum grade requirements are met, the student completes a 120-hour, three-credit internship.

Minimum Grade Requirement: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and a minimum grade of C- in BIO 151, BIO 151L, BIO 161, BIO 161L, BIO 162, BIO 162L, MA 132, PSY 110, HPR 202, HPR 260, HPR 300SL, HPR 301, HPR 302, HPR 304, HPR 307, HPR 410, and HPR 415.

Degree Requirements - Health Sciences Exercise Science/Strength Condition Specialization

This degree requires a total of 120 credits.

Liberal Arts Core Requirements

See the Liberal Arts Core for details.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core requirements.

Health Sciences Core

HPR 201Introduction to Health and Exercise Science

3

HPR 210First Aid and Safety

1

HPR 225Health Psychology

3

HPR 340Nutrition for Optimal Health

3

Health and Human Performance

A minimum grade of C- is required in the following courses:
HPR 202Exercise Physiology

3

HPR 301Health/Fitness Program Management

3

HPR 410Anatomical Kinesiology

3

Biology Requirement

A minimum grade of C- is required for the following courses:
BIO 151General Biology I *

3

BIO 151LGeneral Biology I Lab *

1

BIO 161Anatomy and Physiology I *

3

BIO 161LAnatomy and Physiology I Lab *

1

BIO 162Anatomy and Physiology II *

3

BIO 162LAnatomy and Physiology II Lab

1

Exercise Science/Strength Conditioning Core

A minimum grade of C- is required for the following courses:
HPR 260Introduction to Sports Medicine

3

HPR 300SLEssentials of Personal Training

3

HPR 302Fitness and Health Assessment

3

HPR 304Developing Physical Training Programs

3

HPR 307Strength and Conditioning of Athletes

3

HPR 415Exercise Guidelines for Special Populations

3

MA 132Statistical Analysis *

3

PSY 110Human Growth and Development *

3

Exercise Science/Strength Conditioning

HPR 115Medical Terminology

3

HPR 400Senior Internship

3

HPR 406Stress Management

3

Exercise Science/Strength Conditioning Elective

One (1) health and human performance activity elective from:
HPR 102Beginning Swimming

1

HPR 103Lifeguarding

2

HPR 104Golf

1

HPR 108Weight Training

1

HPR 118Pilates

1

HPR 119Yoga

1

HPR 200Physical Activity

1

DAN 161Dance Appreciation *

3

DAN 165Beginning Modern Dance *

3

DAN 170Beginning Jazz Dance *

3

Sample Degree Plan - Health Sciences Exercise Science/Strength and Conditioning Specialization

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One - Fall

BIO 151General Biology I *

3

BIO 151LGeneral Biology I Lab *

1

EN 101Composition I *

3

HPR 115Medical Terminology

3

HPR 201Introduction to Health and Exercise Science

3

Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course *

3

BIO 151: NS core course

BIO 151L: NS lab core course

EN 101: Composition core course

Year One - Spring

EN 102Composition II *

3

HPR 202Exercise Physiology

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

HPR One (1) health and human performance elective

1

HI History (HI) core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

EN 102: Composition core course

TRS 100: TRS core course

Year Two - Fall

BIO 161Anatomy and Physiology I *

3

BIO 161LAnatomy and Physiology I Lab *

1

HPR 260Introduction to Sports Medicine

3

PSY 110Human Growth and Development *

3

Literature (LT) core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

PSY 110: SS core course

Year Two - Spring

BIO 162Anatomy and Physiology II *

3

BIO 162LAnatomy and Physiology II Lab

1

MA 132Statistical Analysis *

3

Philosophy (PH) core course *

3

Two (2) electives

6

MA 132: MT core course

Year Three - Fall

HPR 225Health Psychology

3

HPR 301Health/Fitness Program Management

3

HPR 302Fitness and Health Assessment

3

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

 

Year Three - Spring

HPR 304Developing Physical Training Programs

3

HPR 406Stress Management

3

Depth in Humanities core course

3

Philosophy (PH) core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

HPR 406: DSCI core course

Year Four - Fall

HPR 210First Aid and Safety

1

HPR 307Strength and Conditioning of Athletes

3

HPR 340Nutrition for Optimal Health

3

HPR 410Anatomical Kinesiology

3

Two (2) electives

6

Year Four - Spring

HPR 300SLEssentials of Personal Training

3

HPR 400Senior Internship

3

HPR 415Exercise Guidelines for Special Populations

3

One (1) elective

3

HPR 399 is recommended as the elective
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core Requirements. See the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.