Accelerated Dual Degree Program (B.S./M.S.) - Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology

The Accelerated Dual Degree Graduate Program between Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology is designed for students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology, completing both degrees in 5 years total. Undergraduate students may apply for admission to the program after completing at least 75 undergraduate credits and may begin graduate coursework after completing at least 90 credits, per the Accelerated Dual Degree Program policy. For students who are accepted, up to nine credit hours of graduate level coursework for the Exercise Physiology program can be completed during the 4th year and will count toward the Exercise Science undergraduate major and/or 120 credit hour undergraduate degree requirement. These graduate level credits will also count towards the graduate program degree requirements. Upon completion of 120 credit hours, students will earn their B.S. in Exercise Science and upon completion of the integrated program, students will earn their Master’s of Science in Exercise Physiology. Students will be eligible to become certified through the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Exercise Science

Program Description

A focus on the fitness, movement, motor, and sports skills of diverse populations. The Exercise Science major provides candidates with the knowledge, skills, dispositions, fieldwork, practicum and internship experiences to enter into careers in fitness, wellness, and allied health. Upon graduation, Exercise Science majors have entered graduate programs in such areas as exercise physiology, athletic training, nutrition, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic, strength and conditioning, and personal fitness. Candidates may need additional prerequisite course work depending on the graduate program selected. One on one academic advising will assist the candidates in preparing an individualized academic program. Candidates interested in a career in a health or allied health profession should register with the director of Pre-Health Professions. Exercise Science is recognized as an Education Recognition Program (ERP) by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) and as an Exercise is Medicine (EIM) campus by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

Program Learning Goals in Exercise Science

Students will demonstrate:

1. Knowledge of the structure and function of the human body.

2. Knowledge of history, philosophy, mission, personal and professional identity.

3. Knowledge of lifespan development, developmental disabilities, and developmental regression.

4. Knowledge of movement skills, motor skills, fitness skills, and sports skills development and learning.

5. Knowledge of health, lifestyle wellness, lifestyle disabilities, and working with diverse populations.

6. Knowledge of organization, leadership, and planning for a variety of situations.

7. Knowledge of research and the appropriate use of research in papers and projects, and for problem-solving and critical thinking.

8. Knowledge in applied settings.

9. Knowledge related to moral and ethical behavior for a movement professional.

Requirements for Acceptance and Continuation as an Exercise Science major:

Assessment of Academic Progress Includes:

1. Application Process

   • A formal meeting with the Chair for Exercise Science and Sports Leadership.

   • An evaluation of academic course work.

   • The fulfillment of the following academic requirements:

     • 2.0 or higher major GPA

     • 2.0 or higher overall GPA

2. Acceptance Decisions

   • Accept:  Candidate may continue to take course work within the major course of study.

   • Conditional Acceptance:  Candidate may continue to take course work within the major course of study, but certain restrictions have been placed on continuation in the program. Conditional acceptance may remain in effect for no longer than one (1) academic year.

   • Defer:  Student is not accepted into the major at this point.

3. Continuation in the Major

   • Student evaluations will be conducted each semester for continuation in the program.

4. Practicum

   • Candidates must identify one or more practicum experiences that align with their professional and/or graduate school goals. The total practicum requirement is 36 hours.

   • These hours are completed by enrollment in ESC 3500.

   • Please consult the Practicum Handbook, and the Canvas PDP site, for specific details and required formats.

5. Capstone Experience: Internship

   • Candidates must identify a specific 150-hour internship experience that aligns with intended professional and/or graduate school goals.

   • Prior to the beginning of the internship, candidates are responsible for the following:

     • Completion of the 36-hour practicum requirement.

     • Meeting with the ESSL Internship Director for approval of the specific internship experience.

     • Obtaining approval from the proposed internship site supervisor for completion of all internship requirements.

     • Registration of ESC 4997 in the semester that the internship is completed (summer, fall, or spring).

     • Completion and submission of all required formal documentation to the John Carroll Internship Director for final approval of the internship experience.

   • Approval of the internship experience by the ESSL Internship Director must be obtained in writing, prior to beginning the internship experience.

   • Please consult the Internship Handbook, and the Canvas PDP site, for specific details and required forms. 

   • If a candidate is not approved for an internship, additional content-area course work will be substituted.

6. Exit Assessment:    Each senior will complete an online Program Evaluation Survey in the Capstone course ESC 4997 and SPL 4997.

Exercise Physiology, M.S.

Program Description

The Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology prepares graduates for a wide variety of career options, including clinical exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, coaching, and health and wellness in a variety of populations and settings. Additionally, this degree will prepare students for careers in research, future doctoral studies, and prepare students to be competitive for additional training programs in areas such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other related disciplines. The program includes two concentrations (Clinical Exercise Physiology and Strength and Conditioning & Sport Science) designed to prepare students for certification from the American College of Sports Medicine (Certified Exercise Physiologist and Clinical Exercise Physiologist) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach and Certified Performance and Sport Scientist). 

Program Learning Goals:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts and practice in healthy and special and diverse populations.

2. Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills through research and clinical practice.

3. Apply course concepts in a real-world setting.

4. Demonstrate written communication skills.

5. Demonstrate oral communication skills.

6. Demonstrate knowledge and application of ethical behavior for an exercise or sport scientist.

Admission Requirements:

The graduate exercise physiology program is open to individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and who show high promise of success in graduate study.

• An undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0

• Personal Statement 

• Current Resume/Vitae

• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education

• College Math/Statistics (at least 3 credits)

Required Courses

Undergraduate Exercise Science Requirements

A total of 49-50 credits hours, including the following requirements:

Electives: Students Choose 4 Elective Courses, up to three of which may be graduate-level courses (See "Combined Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology Requirement" below) (11-12 credits)

Students are responsible for taking the corequisite lecture and the laboratory courses (the combination counts as one elective).

Total Credit Hours: 49-50

Combined Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology Requirements

The combined requirements should be completed during the fourth year. ESC 5100, 5110, and 5140 will count as exercise science major elective courses or toward the 120 credit hours for the undergraduate degree requirements.

The remaining 2-3 hours for the major are undergraduate Exercise Science electives. It is recommended that students pursuing the Clinical Track for the graduate program take ESC 2020 and ESC 4130, and students pursuing the Human Performance Track take ESC 4330 and ESC 3100.

Graduate Exercise Physiology Requirements

The M.S. in Exercise Physiology program has two concentrations for students to choose from Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP) and Strength and Conditioning & Sport Science (SC/SS). Both concentrations require a minimum of 30 credit hours and consist of 4 curriculum areas: Foundation Courses, Exercise Physiology Core Courses, Concentration Courses, and Capstone Experience Courses.

Foundation Courses

6 courses (14 credit hours) The Foundation courses are the foundation or prerequisite courses and may be waived for those students with comparable undergraduate coursework:

Exercise Physiology Core Courses

All students will take 5 core courses (15 credit hours) including: 

*If not already taken for undergraduate degree.

Concentration Courses

Students will choose one concentration and 3 courses (9 credit hours) aligned with that concentration.

Clinical Exercise Physiology

Strength and Conditioning & Sport Science

Capstone Experience Courses

Students in either concentration will choose one of 3 options for the capstone experience courses: Thesis, Internship (300 hours), or Experience. All students must complete a minimum of 2 courses (6 credit hours) for their Capstone Experience.

Thesis:

Thesis students must complete a total of 6 hours, 3 to 6 hours in a semester distributed over several semesters if desired.

Internship:

Internship students must complete a total of 6 hours. A minimum of 150 hours is required per 3 credit internship course, repeatable for a maximum of 6 credit hours

Experience:

Students must choose 2 courses (6 credit hours) from the following options: