Bachelor of Science in Applied Science Exercise Science - Graduate Track

Program Director:  Garrett Kellar (ggkellar@ysu.edu)

Exercise Science is a growing field with job opportunities upon graduation in areas such as cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, worksite or corporate wellness, strength and conditioning from youth sports to elite athlete levels, campus and park recreation as well as personal training. 

Many students who select Exercise Science as their major do so because they are interested in working in the health care field but do not know specifically what they want to be when they graduate from a 4 year program.  Exercise Science is a great major that allows flexibility in a post-graduate career because the undergraduate work focuses so much on the human body.  Because of this, many of our students in Exercise Science find themselves able to apply to a wide variety of graduate study programs such as Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic School, Physician Assistant Programs, and Medical School. 

These graduate programs typically require advanced sciences as prerequisites.  For that reason, we offer a second track for Exercise Science majors who know graduate school is for them.  This track heavily emphasizes the sciences, requiring 4 Biology, 2 Chemistry and 2 Physics courses.  While science prerequisites will vary from graduate program to graduate program and even from state to state, the courses in this track have successfully prepared many of our previous students for entry to graduate school.  We strongly suggest, however, that the student aligns their courses with the prerequisites of graduate program of their choice.  Such prerequisites can typically be found on the graduate program website or by calling the graduate program director of the respective program. 

Program Director:  Garrett Kellar (ggkellar@ysu.edu)

Student Learning Outcome #1:

• Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in health, fitness, and performance assessment.

DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOME

• Students will conduct physical fitness assessments for healthy participants and those with controlled disease.
• Students will interpret cardiorespiratory fitness assessments.

Student Learning Outcome #2

• Students will demonstrate skills in risk factor and health risk identification and the ability to prescribe and implement exercise safely in healthy individuals, special populations (i.e. older adults, youth, and pregnant women), individuals with controlled cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic diseases, and other clinical populations.

DESIRED PERFORMANCE OUTCOME

• Students will prescribe and implement Exercise Rx, using FITT-VP principles, for healthy participants, special populations (i.e. older adults, youth, and pregnant women), participants with controlled cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic diseases, and other clinical populations based on health status and goals.
• Students will establish progression guidelines for resistance, aerobic and flexibility exercises to achieve the goals of the participant.
• Students will determine safe and effective exercise programs to achieve desired outcomes and goals.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge regarding the implementation of a weight management program as indicated by personal goals that are supported by pre-participation health screening, health history, and body composition/anthropometric
• The student will demonstrate skill in modifying exercise prescriptions based on environmental conditions.

Student Learning Outcome #3

• Students will demonstrate competency in effectively educating, exercise counseling and using behavioral strategies regarding lifestyle modification for individuals.

DESIRED PERFORMANCE OUTCOME

• Optimize adoption and adherence to exercise programs and other healthy behaviors by applying effective communication techniques, behavioral and motivational strategies.
• Students will demonstrate their knowledge by providing educational resources to support clients in the adoption and maintenance of healthy lifestyle behaviors.
• Students will demonstrate their knowledge by providing support within the scope of practice of an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist and refer to other health professionals as indicated.

Student Learning Outcome #4:

• Students will demonstrate competency in the legal and professional tasks related to the discipline

DESIRED PERFORMANCE OUTCOME

• Students will create and disseminate risk management guidelines for a health/fitness facility, department or organization to reduce member, employee and business risk
• Students will create an effective injury prevention program and ensure that emergency policies and procedures are in place.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge in establishing policies and procedures for the management of health fitness facilities based on accepted safety and legal guidelines, standards and regulations

Student Learning Outcome #5

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of implementing management policies related to the discipline.

Student Learning Outcomes

DESIRED PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES

• Students will demonstrate knowledge in developing and executing a marketing plan to promote programs, services and facilities
• Students will demonstrate knowledge in managing human resources in accordance with leadership, organization, and management techniques.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge in managing fiscal resources in accordance with leadership, organization, and management techniques.