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 201 | Introduction to Health and Exercise Science | 3 |
| HPR 210 | First Aid and Safety | 1 |
| HPR 225 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| HPR 340 | Nutrition for Optimal Health | 3 |
Health and Human Performance
A minimum grade of C- is required in the following courses:
Biology Requirement
A minimum grade of C- is required for the following courses:
Exercise Science/Strength Conditioning Core
A minimum grade of C- is required for the following courses:
| HPR 260 | Introduction to Sports Medicine | 3 |
| HPR 300SL | Essentials of Personal Training | 3 |
| HPR 302 | Fitness and Health Assessment | 3 |
| HPR 304 | Developing Physical Training Programs | 3 |
| HPR 307 | Strength and Conditioning of Athletes | 3 |
| HPR 415 | Exercise Guidelines for Special Populations | 3 |
| MA 132 | Statistical Analysis * | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
Exercise Science/Strength Conditioning
Exercise Science/Strength Conditioning Elective
One (1) health and human performance activity elective from:
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 151 | General Biology I * | 3 |
| BIO 151L | General Biology I Lab * | 1 |
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| HPR 115 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HPR 201 | Introduction to Health and Exercise Science | 3 |
| | Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course * | 3 |
Year One - Spring
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| HPR 202 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| HPR | One (1) health and human performance elective | 1 |
| HI | History (HI) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Two - Fall
| BIO 161 | Anatomy and Physiology I * | 3 |
| BIO 161L | Anatomy and Physiology I Lab * | 1 |
| HPR 260 | Introduction to Sports Medicine | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
| | Literature (LT) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Two - Spring
| BIO 162 | Anatomy and Physiology II * | 3 |
| BIO 162L | Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| MA 132 | Statistical Analysis * | 3 |
| | Philosophy (PH) core course * | 3 |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Year Three - Fall
| HPR 225 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| HPR 301 | Health/Fitness Program Management | 3 |
| HPR 302 | Fitness and Health Assessment | 3 |
| | Social Science (SS) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Three - Spring
| HPR 304 | Developing Physical Training Programs | 3 |
| HPR 406 | Stress Management | 3 |
| | Depth in Humanities core course | 3 |
| | Philosophy (PH) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four - Fall
| HPR 210 | First Aid and Safety | 1 |
| HPR 307 | Strength and Conditioning of Athletes | 3 |
| HPR 340 | Nutrition for Optimal Health | 3 |
| HPR 410 | Anatomical Kinesiology | 3 |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Year Four - Spring
| HPR 300SL | Essentials of Personal Training | 3 |
| HPR 400 | Senior Internship | 3 |
| HPR 415 | Exercise 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.